Do you take yourself on dates often? For me, I never really have the time, but it’s something I’m beginning to make a priority. As much as I love being around my friends, my daughters and my man, there are days where I want to be left to my thoughts; no restless toddler or moody teens to deal with, just me — and today was one of those days. I took it upon myself to find a nice sushi restaurant (because it’s one of my favorite things to eat), convinced my mom to babysit, and disappeared.
I get tired of the home life sometimes. Not in a bad way though – just in the sense that I know when it’s time for me to take a break. We’re human, and we’re allowed to get a little overwhelmed with even the things (and people) we love the most. The day to day demands of running a household, working a job, or just the plain ol’ hassles of everyday life have a way of sending us over the edge. And what better way to destress, other than…ALONE?!
Self dating is a form of self care (or at least to me it is). Some of the benefits of spending time alone include:
• Doing what YOU want to do
There’s absolutely no need to compromise when you’re alone! So feel free to spend your time doing exactly what it is that makes you happy. Try new hobbies, eat weird food, watch your favorite movie 5 times in a row….. WHATEVER! The point is, this is your chance to do the things you’re passionate about without the input or disruption of others, so enjoy!
• Getting to know yourself better
How well do you even know yourself? If you’re like me, you know as much about yourself as those close to you. But I’ve noticed that I learn more about me, on a deeper level, in my alone time. I’ve picked up new hobbies that I would have never tried otherwise, thought more about my personal aspirations and contemplated on ways to accomplish my goals. When you’re so used to being in the presence of other people, you very rarely have time to consider yourself.
• Strengthen your independence and build confidence
If you’ve ever waited for a time to liberate yourself from the constant need of approval from everyone besides yourself, this is it. The more time I spend alone, the more I realize I don’t need to consistently be a part of the crowd. It also gives me a sense of confidence in knowing that I’m able to effectively entertain myself, if need be. I used to think it was impossible to have a good time without my friends around, and going out alone felt weird (because only losers do that, right?) . Once I changed my mindset around being my own company, I realized that I’m the best company I could have.
So go ahead, do those things you’re interested in, even if your peers find them to be ‘lame’ or ‘corny’. We too often limit ourselves from new experiences because of what other people may think. Dating myself has allowed me to break down barriers and leave my comfort zone behind!
Do you date yourself? What kinds of activities or places do you enjoy experiencing alone?
XO,
Lexi 💋
