Romanticizing Solo Days and Learning to Love Your Own Company

The Unexpected Magic of Solo Days

One of the most healing things that you can do for you is to just go on a date with yourself. I try to take myself on little solo dates, outside of the weekly grocery run, to help bring myself a sense of calm. It's easier for me to go on these little solo dates since I am on summer break, but working is not an excuse to not find time for it! This time around it was an intentional choice for me to go out on a little thrifty adventure. I planned the route I wanted to take last night and made it come to fruition today! I am always a little bit hesitant to do these big adventures on my own, but I know that I am the only one that truly enjoys a day spent thrifting.

The Solo Thrift Experience

The solo thrift experience is one that really taken me some time to enjoy. Once I desensitized myself to the smell of a Goodwill (you know the musty smell they all have!) I have been able to truly take it all in. I find myself being that person quietly singing to myself because these thrift stores tend to have all my favorite songs playing. It really helps set the tone and when you can be vibing to Joe Jonas, Alex Warren, the Jonas Brothers, and all the other throwback songs they tend to play.

When I go to the thrift store alone, there is so much more freedom. You don't feel like you have to rush through it because you aren't with someone who doesn't enjoy it as much as you. I also get to be so much more thoughtful when taking in all the different items and even get out of my shell and have conversations with other thrifters. On this day in particular, I had two awesome conversations with people in the book section at two completely different thrift stores! I don't usually spark conversation with strangers, but I always end up being grateful when they start one with me.

Why Solo Time Matters (and Why It’s Not Selfish)

Beyond just thrifting, I really want to settle into the heart of this rambling: why time alone is important. You have to take time to connect with yourself on the things that you enjoy and just decompress from the outside world. Loving and caring for yourself is the most important thing that you can do for your mental health. You need to become more in tune with yourself and really tone down the noise. If you were just sitting at home and doom scrolling, you may find yourself sorting through everything that needs to get down or the things that are causing you anxiety. Those things aren't always productive, so you really have to spend time with yourself in a different setting.

Solo time is also not something that you should see as selfish. When you have spent so much time interacting with others, or even in your own anxieties, you have to take a step back from all the external noise. You don't have to constantly be social or productive, so when I say to go on a solo date, I don't mean go do chores. Actually listen to yourself and the things that make you feel loved. These solo dates can teach you about what it is that you actually enjoy and not what's trending right now.

Also, if you're anything like me, your social battery may be a little bit old. Sometimes mine feels like the battery of my husbands iPhone X that goes from 100% to 42% after only using it for a few minutes. Allowing myself some time to fill my cup up again makes it a lot easier to be present for others and it helps me come back grounded.

You need to spend more time romanticizing life. Taking the time to slow down and take things in makes you a better and more intentional person. Alone time allows you to slow down and take in the beauty of everyday. That thrifted mug, the music playing around you, and the way the sunlight is filtering through the dusty windows around you really start to feel more magical.

Tips for Romanticizing Your Solo Time

1. Create a Playlist- Your day can be so magical if you take the time to throw your favorite songs into a playlist for your solo date. I usually pick an artist I'm obsessed with and throw their music into a playlist. My solo thrifting day consisted of the playlist my sister created: Everything Jonas Brothers

2. Dress for Yourself- I encourage you to throw on that outfit you swore you would never have a reason to wear it! Your solo time is about showing yourself love and for some people, that includes what you wear.

3. Start With a Ritual- Get yourself an iced coffee, light a candle, or write something down. This is just something small to tell your brain that the day is going to be special.

4. Be Present, Not Performative- Put your phone away for some, if not all, of your solo day. Let yourself experience the day and not focus on documenting it for social media.

5. Write it Down After- Take in your day and reflect on it in some sort of journal or notes app. Write about what you saw, how you felt, and the things that surprised you. This can help you process and appreciate the day more.

Takeaways From the Day

The takeaways from my solo day is that the small rituals really set the tone for self-love. I always make myself a coffee and watch TV in the mornings, but I knew that I was setting myself up for my solo day and I really took it extra slow. It's a reminder that we need those soft starts which are so much more enjoyable than hopping out of bed and rushing to work!

I started my solo date by going to two thrift stores that I have never been to before. I didn't know what to expect, but it was nice to check out what these other stores had. I am usually hesitant to check out new places, especially ones that aren't in my direct area, but sometimes you have to trust yourself to handle newness while also enjoying it.

My favorite part of this day is that I gave myself permission to linger. I didn't rush through any stores and found myself out from 11 am to 2 pm just exploring. It's not everyday that I don't have some sort of timeline to follow. I found myself just wandering at my own pace down the aisles of each thrift store and the antique mall I went to. You also learn that you can find joy in being your own favorite company and that may be the most powerful realization. I found myself feeling full, happy, and not lonely. Singing songs at the top of your lungs while driving helped me connect with myself even more.

This thrifting trip actually gave me exactly what I didn't know that I was looking for. I left with some vintage Pyrex mugs, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, High School Musical, and both The Princess Diaries 1 and 2. After 7 different places (omg! Thrift, Salvation Army, The HOPE Chest, The Coop Antiques, and two different Goodwills, I actually came home feeling refreshed. I immediately came home and started reflecting on the day through this blog. Because I was following my own energy, this day felt like rest and that is a beautiful thing to see when we think that rest only looks like stillness.

Want to see what I went home with? Check out my TikTok

An Invitation to Try It

I highly encourage you to take yourself on a date. In fact, this is your sign to go ahead and do it. You don't need a specific reason for this because it's something that you always need. Whether it’s wandering through thrift stores, sitting in a coffee shop with a book, or just taking the scenic route home, spending intentional time with yourself is one of the kindest things you can do. You deserve to feel at home in your own company.

So here’s your challenge: plan a solo day, even a small one, and treat it like it matters, because it does. Romanticize the quiet, make a playlist, and take yourself somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, even if it’s just down the street.

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Your Side Quest:

If you’ve had a solo adventure recently, I’d love to hear about it. What’s your favorite way to spend time alone? How would you romanticize your next solo outing?