- Have a spa day
There was a weekend when my best friend was supposed to come and visit me, but unfortunately her work threw her a curve ball and our plans had to be cancelled. That plan was to have a spa day.
But why on Earth wouldn’t I go to the spa by myself if I want to go to the spa?! You don’t need a friend to get a massage or chill in the sauna now, do you? Book that pedicure and some exclusive facial and enjoy yourself.
- Go to the beach
Perhaps I’m weird but I actually prefer to go to the beach on my own. I’m very particular when it comes to certain things in life, and sunbathing is one of those things. I don’t want to compromise my tanning session for anything or anyone, which is why beach is one of my fave things to do by yourself in Summer!
So, pack up that towel, sunscreen and a good book/playlist and headphones and head to the nearest beach (or a park) for some quality me-time getting that tanning game on to the max.
- Go for a picnic
Just like with going to the beach on your own, you don’t necessarily need company to have a picnic. Instead you could read a book, listen to a podcast, or call a friend while chilling in the park.
I’m really into people watching, so picking a good spot in a park, where I spread my blanket and snacks, is one of my favourite ways to pass time. I like to imagine what those people’s lives are like;
- what kind of a house do they live in
- what kind of a car do they drive
- do they have any pets… Yes, I’m a curious sod.
- Cook something new
Being on your own gives you the opportunity to do whatever you like. When it comes to cooking especially, this is one of the best things to do by yourself in Summer!
In my previous relationship I would always start suggesting dinner options throughout the day, and most often whatever I was craving wasn’t what my boyfriend wanted. So, compromise was the word.
But when you’re only responsible for your own sustenance, why not go completely wild and try that new recipe that you have been avoiding because it seems perhaps too adventurous or demanding.
- Change your home’s interior
If you feel like a little change in your life is in order, the easiest way to elevate your everyday life a little bit is to change the look of your living space. This is one of the most brilliant things to do by yourself in Summer, because you can go completely wild with it.
And before you know it, you find yourself in a design shop buying a new table lamp, or house plants to bring those final touches to your “new” apartment.
- Go shopping
This is, obviously, one of the best best things to do by youself in Summer. No matter if it’s fashion, home decor or food shopping, shopping probably makes you feel good.
And when you’re browsing the shops by yourself, there’s nobody rushing you to move on to the next shop! Which means you can spend hours trying on that dress and coming up with multiple outfit combos for it. Avoid impulse buying, though!
- Participate in a Summer event
Summer is full of action! Every city and town is filled with all kinds of events from art exhibitions to restaurant days to trade shows and all kinds of distillery events.
Just take your pick and enjoy the atmosphere and sunny Summer vibes. Who knows, you might just make new friends because the odds are you will definitely not be the only one attending on their own.
Summer is the best time to interact with people, because the warm weather brings the best out in all of us. So, get socializing, even if you wouldn’t consider yourself an extrovert. This is your chance to hone those socializing skills.
- Plan 3 new outfits from 1 piece of clothing
Outfit planning is one of my ultimate favourite ways to pass time. I usually plan and pick my outfits for the next day on the previous night and lay them out, so that in the morning I just need to dress up.
And if you’re feeling like your closet is in need of turning up the volume, try this before you hit the stores: pick one piece of clothing, something that you really like. It can be a top or a skirt, or maybe just a pair of jeans.
Then think up 3 outfit combos around this one piece of clothing using the clothes you already have. You could go for 3 office looks or build a whole day’s outfit combos around just one piece; office, after-work and going out outfits. I swear, it’s one of the most fun things to do by yourself in Summer!
- Volunteer
If hanging out in your own company seems like a depressing prospect you could take yourself out to do some voluntary work. Every city has their own opportunities, but in my case I know there are schools that take volunteers to help in the kitchen, for example.
And my absolute favourite charities are, of course, animals. I would direct my nose straight towards the closest animal shelter and take the dogs for a walk, give couple horses a little brush and share some love with the cats. You can always count on animals to give you back all the love, and much more.
- Go for an aimless walk
I do this a lot, and despite living in a very small city I still keep finding new places all the time. New cafés and restaurants, flee markets and terraces, gorgeous buildings and secret parks.
Getting stuck around the familiar corners can easily make your life so blasé and boring that you almost start to take it for granted. So, take those legs of yours and get out, choose left or right and just walk.
It doesn’t matter if you get lost. You’re still in your home town and you’ve got Google Maps to take you home. Equip yourself with a pair of earphones and a killer playlist and you’re good to go!
- Put on your favourite music and have a little dance
That brings me to the next point: When you’re on your own nobody’s there to judge you. So, why not have a little solo dance party to kick off your morning? Blast out that song that automatically makes you smile and jump around and sing along.
Nothing frees you from whatever troubles you might have at that moment like letting yourself go via dance does. It’s like a mini-workout, but you have to really go for it. And afterwards you’ll feel like there’s nothing on this Universe that could bother you. One of the best things to do by yourself in Summer!
- Exercise outdoors
Starting your morning off with a little dance might just get your juices running so why not continue straight to doing some exercise. And since it’s Summer don’t you dare lock yourself up in a dingy gym!
Instead, head outdoors, go for a run or a long walk. Most running tracks have places where you can also do some sit-ups and pull-ups, so that your exercise is more than just running. Breathe in the fresh smell of Summer.
- Go see a movie
This option is particularly good for those rainy days. They can get you down with moodiness, so before that happens, get those shoes on, throw a jacket on and rush to the nearest cinema.
Purchase an extra large portion of popcorn and a soda, and prepare to exit this world for couple of hours.
- Try out a café you haven’t tried before
Even without going on an aimless walk you know that there are plenty of cafés and boutiques you’ve never vacated before. Maybe you’ve thought they’re not your type.
Well, why not go and see? You might be surprised and find your next favourite café or the perfect corner to vacate next time you decide to work from home office. And if not, at least you got a coffee or a glass of wine out of it.
- Take yourself out on a date
No, don’t give me that face! I don’t know where the idea came from that there would be anything the matter with eating out alone. And having done so many a time myself – I’m a solo Digital Nomad – I can guarantee, there’s nothing embarrassing about it!
Sometimes the waiters might even treat you twice better because it’s just you and they want to give you a special dinner experience. Fact is, in a restaurant nobody’s interested in the people around them. So, whether you’re there enjoying your food by yourself of with someone, nobody gives toss.
Give it a try! You might find you actually enjoy it. And when you’ve done it once, the next time is always easier. And all of a sudden you don’t mind it at all that everybody else is busy; you can take yourself out for a drink or a dinner!
