Adulting has moved some of our closest friends so far away from us for one reason or another, and this affected the social lives of many. The goal at The Lagos Weekender is to ensure that you enjoy Lagos life, regardless of the situation, which is why we encourage solo dates. Solo dates can be an incredible opportunity for self-discovery, a chance to explore your interests, create beautiful memories for yourself and can also be an opportunity to make new friends. So, if you are looking to embrace your own company more this year, here are some interesting ideas for you:
Pottery
Pottery is top on the list of solo date ideas because it is the perfect activity that helps you tap into your creativity and express yourself freely. It is the activity that helps you focus on the present as all your attention is placed on moulding beautiful art pieces. It is therapeutic and meditative and is perfect for your me time.
Candle Making
Just like pottery, Candle-making is an awesome solo date idea that also allows you to harness your creative spirit and do something beautiful and satisfying. Candles are relaxing and beautiful, and making them by yourself just for the fun of it is an even better feeling. You get to explore with all your favourite scents, colours and designs to create a candle that represents you.
Outdoor picnic
No! You won’t be considered a loner if you go to the park alone for a picnic! The weather is cool, and you are feeling good. The only right thing to do in this situation is to pick out a pretty outfit and enjoy some time outside of your apartment. This is the year to romanticise your life, and having a one-man picnic is a great way to do that. As a solo date, you get to pack your favourite snacks, pack your favourite blanket and have it all to yourself. You pick your music and book, you set the pace and have no distractions. All that’s left to do is to find a beautiful spot in a park and savor the tranquility.
Taking a cooking class
Cooking is a basic life skill, so a cooking class is always a great idea. If you are a picky eater, a bug eater, someone who likes to experiment with new cuisines or someone with a special diet plan, cooking classes will always be a great idea. It’s a chance to explore your creativity in the kitchen with different recipes and flavours and create delicious dishes that you can enjoy all by yourself. The atmosphere in cooking classes is always social and fun, so there’s even a possibility of making new friends!
Spa day
Everyone loves a spa day and everyone should get a spa day! There’s almost no feeling that can be compared to spending an entire day in the spa with different people attending to you, all with the purpose of making you feel better, relaxed and heavily pampered. A spa day is great self-care and is a very valid reason to splurge on yourself. From manicures to facials, pedicures, hair wash, and all sorts of massages possible, you deserve it!
Visiting a cinema
When you visit the cinema alone, you do not have to worry about if your friends would like a romantic drama or if they prefer action. You have the freedom to even watch a cartoon or rated horror movie if that is what you prefer. You choose the time convenient for you, and you can even choose to watch as many movies as you want to. You can also fully immerse yourself in the movie experience without any distractions or interruptions, laugh, cry, or react however you want without worrying about anyone else’s reactions. If you were waiting for your schedule to align with that of your friends before watching that blockbuster, this is your cue to go ahead and do it now!
Wine tasting
As an average Nigerian, you were most likely never properly educated about wine. The goal this year is to romanticise life, but what screams romance louder than wine? Wine tasting allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience and explore different flavours and aromas at your own pace, fully indulging in the sensory journey. As a solo date activity, you get to choose the wineries or wine bars that interest you the most, savour each sip and appreciate the nuances of different wines. Highly recommended!
We can’t overemphasize the importance of embracing the joy of spending time with ourselves and treating ourselves to special experiences. Going on solo dates helps you reconnect with every part of yourself. So whether it’s enjoying a delicious meal at a cosy restaurant, catching a movie, exploring a new museum, or simply taking a leisurely stroll in the park, you should take yourself on that date and have fun with you!
