Me: I love the fall.

Also me: I just wanna stay in bed all day, with myself and pizza.

What’s Autumn Anxiety? It’s that icky feeling you get that won’t go away despite all of the pumpkin spice, early Christmas decorations and cozy sweaters. Between the shorter days, not wanting to leave a warm bed and the New Year quickly approaching– fall can take a toll on our emotional and mental states.

One may think this post is for lonely, single folks, but nah. As much as some claim their lives and partners are perfect –that’s rarely the case. You’re never too perfect for alone time, or a mental health break.

You may need a self date if…

• Your friends or lover hates your new, favorite band.
• Money is tight, and you don’t want to pay for the person you extended the invitation to.
• You have a case of the blues, and want to shake out of it on your own terms and with your own money.

Disclaimer: This list is just for fun. Please seek advice from a medical professional if you’re looking for ways to treat anxiety and/or depression.

 

10 Self Date Ideas for Autumn Anxiety

Take a yoga class.

Yoga is a great way to get the good vibes flowing. A self date to a yoga class is ideal because yoga poses can be hella awkward for beginners. If your friends are like mine, you’ll probably laugh the entire time and get banned.

Drink responsibly at happy hour.

Sometimes you just need to enjoy a hot toddy in an environment other than your home. I used to hit up happy hour solo all the time after work. Bartenders and other folks there alone would always strike up a conversation with me.

Check out open mic or improv night.

If you don’t have a way with words, hearing the stories of others and listening to them express their emotions can help articulate your personal feelings.

See a local band in concert.

Check out a band you’ve never heard of, or one you’ve been wanting to hear. Smaller crowds and cheaper ticket prices are also a plus if you’ve only seen “big” artists in concert.

Get a massage.

I’ve never had a (professional) massage. A self date would be a great time to go, so I can avoid my friends taking pictures of me falling asleep during the massage.

Volunteer.

Gratitude is the best attitude. Give your time to an organization that needs it. Although volunteering is tons of fun in groups, visiting alone doesn’t hurt either. Think outside the box when volunteering. There are lots of opportunities behind-the-scenes: cleaning, admin work, offering transportation etc.

Take a mini road trip.

Try a long drive and car karaoke for your troubles.

Indulge in a culinary or history tour.

Enjoy the good eats and hidden gems by being a tourist in your town. This just reminded me that I won 2 tickets to a culinary tour, and I might go alone…twice!

Visit a museum.

A little culture never hurt nobody. Museums (usually) require more thinking and less talking. A self date wouldn’t be too awkward since you’re just soaking up all the knowledge.

Attend a workshop or conference.

Workshops and conferences are a cool way to meet like-minded individuals while brushing up on a specific skill or hobby. These types of events aren’t as cheap as treating yourself to a coffee self date, so they may take a little more time to plan.

Have you ever been on a self date? Where did you go and.or what did you do? Tweet me or comment below!