Even the most extroverted of us need the occasional alone time. Spending time by yourself is an opportunity to reflect, boost your creativity, and build independence. Solo activities like journaling, bike riding, hiking, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of coffee can make this time more fulfilling and intentional. While it might seem, to some, to be a daunting prospect, the truth is that there’s a lot of power that comes from knowing that you can be by yourself and be happy. And it’s not just something that’ll benefit you, either — you’ll find that your friends and family benefit, too. Spending time by yourself allows you to show up for your other relationships from a position of strength.
Fun and Fulfilling Solo Activities to Try
And as we’ll see below, spending time by yourself really can be a whole lotta fun. The next time you want — or need — some alone time, give one of the following activities a try.
Go For a Bike Ride
Going for a long bike ride can do wonders for your mental health. You’ll find that exploring on your bike doesn’t just provide an opportunity to discover new sides of your local area, but also allows you to process thoughts and emotions. If you’ve got something stuck in your mind, there’s every chance that you’ll have figured it all out by the time you’re back home from your ride.
Journal
There are so many benefits to journaling. From getting rid of anxiety to sparking creativity, there’s a lot of good that can come from simply sitting down with a pen and a piece of paper. If you’re new to journaling, then start by doing just a little bit each day. Ten minutes of writing is enough to build the habit.
Over time, you’ll write for longer and longer, and eventually, you’ll have a whole notebook’s worth of thoughts and feelings. Journaling can also be a great tool for seeing how much you’ve grown. Keep your journals, and in a few years, you’ll have a document that clearly outlines the person you used to be.
Go to the Cinema — A Confidence-Boosting Solo Activity
There are a few activities which, for whatever reason, people are wary of doing by themselves. Going to a restaurant by themselves is one. Going to the cinema is another. Yet the very fact that society says these activities are off-limits as a solo activity is precisely the reason why you should do them. It takes a certain level of confidence to go to the cinema by yourself. By the time you leave, you’ll feel that little bit empowered — if for no other reason than that, you’ll know that it’s not a big deal at all.
Play a Solo Game
Modern games have become a little obsessed with the multiplayer experience, and while they can be fun, there’s still a social element. Playing a game by yourself, on the other hand, allows for deeper levels of focus and concentration. While there are plenty of excellent single-player video games, the classics, such as Spider Solitaire, Sudoku, and Mahjong, are usually the best for relaxing and recharging your batteries. Try to play at least one game every day — it’s an easy, fun way to carve out a little bit of ‘me time’ on an otherwise busy day.
Stargazing — One of the Best Solo Activities
There’s much to love about staring up at the cosmos. Alas, it’s not an experience that many of us get to enjoy all that often. If you live in a city, then it’s unlikely that you ever see the universe in all its glory. If you’re looking for something fun and mind-expanding to do by yourself, then consider taking a drive out in a rural area where light pollution levels are lower. That’ll give you a chance to lie down, look up, and think some of the biggest thoughts you’ll likely ever have.
The world would probably be a better place if everyone spent a little more time looking up into the vastness of space, so make it a regular thing — you never know what might come from it!
Cook Up a Delicious Meal
There aren’t too many things more enjoyable than eating a delicious meal. And if you’re the person who cooked it? Then it’s even better. If you have some time by yourself, then look at getting into the kitchen and whipping up a storm. Cooking can be one of the most satisfying solo activities, giving you the chance to let your mind wander, play your favorite music, and just more generally enjoy a moment of peace. If you’re looking for some inspiration, take a read of this article, which outlines a bunch of tips for becoming a better cook. In a matter of weeks, you’ll be creating restaurant-worthy dishes in your kitchen that can wow your friends and family.
Go Into An Inner World
Only have fifteen minutes or so to spend with yourself? Then look at doing meditation or breathwork. It’s an easy, effective way to reconnect with yourself, and can be especially useful on a stressful day.
Watch the World — A Quiet Moment in Solo Activities
Most of us are busy, busy, busy. We spend virtually all of our time doing something productive. We rarely find ourselves in a position where we can simply sit and observe the world. Yet, while those opportunities might not come up naturally, that doesn’t mean that you don’t get to have them. You just need to make them happen. If you have a free hour, then look at taking yourself to a cafe in an interesting part of your city. Take a seat outside, and just watch the people go by — it’s one of the simplest and most mindful solo activities you can do. It’s a nice way to spend time by yourself while also feeling connected to everyone else. When you look at everyday people, you realize that we’re all essentially the same.
Take a Trip
Looking for a really empowering way to spend time by yourself? Then look at taking a trip by yourself. There are plenty of destinations that are solo traveler-friendly. While it can be a little bit scary to set off into the unknown without the comfort of having friends and family by your side, you’ll find that, once you’re out there in the world, everything falls into place.
