There’s a kind of quiet luxury in spending time alone. In having the freedom to order a glass of wine without consultation, sit by a window watching the world go by with a book you may or may not read, and linger over dessert simply because you’re on your own timeline, not someone else’s. Solo dating (taking yourself out with the same thoughtfulness you’d extend to a partner)— if approached correctly — really is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
For too long, the idea of being alone in public has been tempered by misplaced pity. As if a table for one is an accident rather than a choice. But, speaking from much experience, there’s something deliciously self-assured about going solo; a quiet statement that your own company is more than enough.
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A gallery visit where you stand in front of a painting for as long as it holds you. A movie where no one whispers commentary in your ear. A long, meandering lunch where the only conversation is the one in your own head. A well-planned independent outing isn’t about filling time; it’s about savouring it.
In fact, at its core, solo dating is somewhat of a love letter to self-sufficiency. It’s proof that romance doesn’t always require another person. There’s real power in taking the time to spend time with yourself — ordering the good wine and dressing up purely for self-pleasure. Learning to be the person who brings you joy, rather than placing your happiness in the hands of someone else. And, honestly, once you get the hang of it, it’s liberating.
So, the next time you feel inspired to do something but hesitate at the thought of a solo dinner or an unaccompanied gallery visit, reframe it. Far from an absence of company, it’s a chance to honour yourself in the quietest, most intentional way. And really, what better investment of time is there than in your relationship with yourself?
