Why Aren't You Dating Yourself Too?: The Guide to Falling in Love with You

phones ringing, book pages turning, people chattering, and the smell of fresh coffee being brewed had me in a trance. i remembered why i loved being in coffee shops by myself so much. there's an air of romance to being able to put on a cute outfit and go out to get myself a nice liquid form of a hug with a sweet treat as a bonus.

and then i got to thinking...

why do we often wait for someone else to take us on a romantic date when the perfect partner has been there all along in ourselves?

We get so caught up in chasing love from others we often forget that sometimes that you can give yourself the love you need too.

There’s something soooo empowering about falling in love with your own presence. I mean why wouldn’t I want to hangout with myself? I’m amazing, fun and smell good too.

When you take yourself out, you’re not just spending time alone. you’re setting the standard for yourself every time you get dressed up and go to that fancy restaurant, every time you grab your tote bag and favourite sneakers and go exploring in your city, or even monthly spa visits to pamper yourself. make your solo dates nice af so you don’t settle for less when it comes to romantic partners and platonic friendships

Physical Solo Date Ideas

1. sunset beach walk: slip into your cutest sundress and wander down the shoreline just as the sky starts melting into gold and pink. pack a little sparkling drink (the good one, not the grocery store knock-off) and a box of fresh fruit. there’s something about salty air and waves that makes everything feel lighter.

   morning run with a view: wake up earlier than usual, lace up your sneakers, and took the long route. ran until your thoughts felt quiet and your cheeks are flushed. bonus: treat yourself to a smoothie after (because self-care is also in the post-run snack). have a “main character” playlist blasting the whole time.

   picnic in the park: stuff my basket (or large tote!) with snacks, a cozy blanket, and the book you've been procrastinating reading for the past month. find a shady spot under a tree and spend some time people-watching, eating strawberries 🍓, and letting your phone die without panic.

   yoga in the garden: roll out your yoga mat in the backyard, let the breeze hit your skin, and move slowly through stretches. pretend you're in a yoga retreat in bali (minus the plane ticket) 🧘‍♀️🌸

   gallery hopping: wander through a few local galleries. no rush, no agenda, just standing in front of the pieces that make your heart feel full. write down little thoughts in your journal so you remember how it felt right there in the moment. 🖼️

   stargazing night: grab a blanket and set up in the backyard / terrace after dinner. make tea, play soft music, and just… look up.

Food Solo Date Ideas

1. café hopping: pick a saturday (or a random tuesday, because you can) and spend the day exploring cafés in your city. order something different at each stop — yes, even the matcha you swore you’d never like. sit by the window, sip slowly, and people-watch like it’s your job. make up little storylines about strangers and pretend you’re the lead in a romcom. ☕️

2. gourmet dinner for one: put on that dress you’ve been “saving for a special occasion” (newsflash: today is the special occasion). book the fancy restaurant you’ve been eyeing and order yourself the whole bottle of wine if you feel like it. take your time. savour everything. no sharing bites unless you really want to. 🍷

3. baking adventure: find a new baking recipe and commit to it. let the kitchen get a little messy, taste-test as you go, and put on music you can dance to while things are in the oven. when you’re done, plate them up all pretty and save a few for your girls. 🥮🍪🍰

4. farmers’ market feast: head to your local farmers’ market with a tote bag and zero rush. smell the fresh herbs, grab whatever produce looks happiest that day, maybe even snag a loaf of bread still warm from the oven. then go home and cook yourself something amazing with it. light a candle while you eat.

5. ice cream shop date: walk yourself to an ice cream shop and order the biggest size they have. get two or three flavours. sit outside if it’s nice, let it melt a little, and just enjoy it without thinking about anything else.

at the end of the day, dating yourself isn’t just a cute trend or a self-care checklist. it’s a quiet promise you make to yourself. that you’ll show up, that you’ll make life beautiful for you, no matter who’s in it. the more you romance your own life, the less you’ll tolerate half-hearted effort from anyone else. so take yourself out. order the dessert. wear the outfit. fill your days with things that make you feel alive. because the longest, most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself… and you deserve for it to be the love story of a lifetime.