My favourite things to do alone
I love spending quality time with my family and friends – I always say that my favourite thing in the world is sharing good food, wine, and conversation :)
But I need alone time. It’s how I recharge and fill my cup back up. I usually spend solo afternoons listening to podcasts, ticking tasks off my to-do list, or scrolling through TikTok. These activities are fine, albeit quite boring. That’s why, once a month or so, I put effort into my alone time. Some call it “dating yourself” – I prefer “elite introvert time”.
Here are some of favourite ways to spend my elite introvert time. I chose these activities because they are things I would rather do alone than with anyone else:
1. Visit a museum
I love spending hours wandering through museum exhibits. I can take my time learning about the pieces that interest me, and not feel judged if I want to pass over anything that I “should” probably learn more about. Like libraries or bookstores, I think it’s impossible to feel lonely in a museum. You may not feel connected to anyone socially, but that just leaves more space for you to connect with the art and history that literally surrounds you. It’s the best :)
2. Eat at the chef’s table
I would always rather go out to eat with loved ones, but when there’s the opportunity to sit at a “chef’s table”, I prefer going solo. The chef’s table is usually located at the back of the restaurant, with bar type seating and an open view of the kitchen. On the rare occasion that I’m travelling alone, I try to make this type of reservation. There’s no expectation for conversation (although I’ve had the loveliest interactions this way) and you don’t feel like everyone else in the restaurant is watching you. You just get to savour the food and the atmosphere without any distractions.
3. Shopping
I really haven’t gone shopping since the pandemic started. At first, I didn’t miss it, but now I’m looking forward to days where I can spend my time perusing through shops without feeling rushed. I prefer shopping by myself for this reason. My only exception to this is vintage shopping with my cousin – she has an incredible eye, and finds the best pieces for both of us!
4. Spa day
Whether I’m going to an actual spa or not, I spend two days a month really taking care of business. I spend a couple hours on my nails (yes, HOURS), as well as face masks, waxing, etc. I used to go for regular massages as well, but now that I’m in the States my benefits don’t cover them. Azim gifted me a proper spa day at a luxe resort here in NC, and I can’t wait!!
5. Go to the library
Long live the library card. Going to the library is a comfort for me. When we still worked in the office, I used to go to the Toronto Reference Library and Yorkville TPL on my lunch breaks. When we moved to Durham, I quickly found the closest library to us – it’s beautiful, and only a short walk away :) I imagine the safe, peaceful feeling I have in libraries is comparable to what some people feel in religious spaces.
What are your favourite things to do alone? Or do you feel like alone time is just lonely? I’d love to hear about your experiences xoxox