It can be scary at first: You may feel as though eating out by yourself will invite judgmental stares from other diners, or that a solo beach day could create too much time alone with your thoughts. But as much as we tout the benefits of relationships and community, engaging in solo activities can be just as important for your mental health — and well worth pushing past your fears.
Enjoying your own company may boost your creativity, create room for more social energy, and provide space to explore your interests. The key, however, is to examine the driving force behind spending time with yourself. A 2018 study determined that those who found themselves alone when it wasn’t their choice experienced loneliness, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms, while those who made a conscious decision to be alone showed positive associations with well-being.
And according to psychologist Robert Coplan, author of The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect With Yourself in an Overconnected World, there’s a stark difference between loneliness and solitude.
“Loneliness is a negative emotion that comes from the perception that there is a discrepancy between our desired and actual social connections,” he wrote for the Next Big Idea Club, adding, “Whereas loneliness is a bad feeling, solitude is a place. It is a place, particularly if we choose to go there, that can offer us respite from social stresses, a chance to recharge our batteries, take the edge off intense emotions, allow us to reflect and self-discover, and provide an incubator for problem-solving and creative ideas.”
What you do in your alone time also matters. For instance, research suggests that young adults who use social media when they’re by themselves may experience increased loneliness and inhibited identity development — but plenty of activities can instead help us reap the benefits of solitude.
To help ease safety concerns, you can also share your location or plans with a loved one ahead of time. With that in mind, if you’re interested in stepping outside your home (and away from your phone) by yourself, we rounded up five types of activities to try, ranked from least to most intimidating.
Get Outside
Ease into solo adventures by biking or walking (bonus points if you branch out from your usual route or neighborhood), or spending an afternoon at a new-to-you park, beach, or botanical garden. Tack on an activity — like reading, journaling, painting, drawing, or listening to a podcast or music — to add a relaxing or creative element to your alone time.
But why stop there? If you’ve always wanted to try paddleboarding or horseback riding, for example, but don’t know anyone with the same interest, this is the perfect excuse to leave your comfort zone and sign up for a class. And who knows, you may even reap some of the benefits of dabbling while you’re at it.
Indulge in Self-Care
There may be no better way to put Coplan’s idea of recharging your batteries into practice than by indulging in several hours (or even a day) of self-care. Activities that can leave you feeling physically refreshed include visiting a sauna or trying a cold plunge, getting a pedicure, booking a facial or massage, or visiting a farmers market to stock your fridge with fresh groceries.
If a mental reset is what you’re looking for, testing out a new hobby — whether it’s punch needling or stargazing — may boost your health, happiness, and life satisfaction. But there are also plenty of experiences, such as sound baths, aromatherapy, and breathwork classes, that typically don’t involve any conversation, making them ideal practices to try solo.
See a Show
It may sound nerve-racking to go to a movie by yourself when you’re used to bringing friends or your partner, but hear us out: Going solo means you get to pick the date, time, snacks, and the movie itself (plus, no one will be trying to talk to you during the good parts). The same goes for plays, comedy performances, ballets, or any other type of show that appeals to you. Once it begins, chances are no one will notice you’re there alone.
Perhaps slightly more intimidating, but entirely worth doing, is venturing on your own to a concert or festival — according to a 2025 report from Ticketmaster, nearly 1 in 3 U.K. festivalgoers has attended solo. To make the experience easier to navigate, research the venue, parking, and other logistics ahead of time, and take appropriate safety measures, like sharing your location with a loved one.
Enjoy a Meal
Just the thought of eating out alone can make many of us squirm. But you don’t have to dive right into five-star dining — instead, work your way up slowly by trying a coffee shop, then a lunch spot, and then a casual restaurant. Bring a book, sit on the patio and people-watch, or hole up at the corner of the bar if it makes you feel less awkward.
And, as with festivals, take comfort in the fact that you’re in good company: According to a survey from OpenTable, nearly 70% of millennials and Gen Z dined by themselves at sit-down restaurants in 2023 and 2024. Check out the booking platform’s advice and top 15 cities for embracing the solo dining trend.
Take a Trip
Eager to travel somewhere that your friends and family aren’t as psyched about? There’s no need to wait — not only does traveling by yourself mean that you get to go when and where you want, but it can even help you explore new sides of yourself. “When traveling alone, you can be anyone you please. This gives you permission to try on new ways of being, including greater assertiveness,” psychologist Francine Toder wrote for Psychology Today.
If you’re not into planning out an entire itinerary, try a retreat. From wellness-focused getaways to craft-cations and voluntourism, there are plenty of ways to enjoy solitary trips in a slightly more organized — and social — way.
Need more ideas for ways to enjoy your own company? Browse this list of 80 fun and calming activities to explore completely solo.
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