LIFE

Here's what happened when I parted ways with my friend group and started hanging out solo. Spoiler, it was awesome...

Toward the end of my senior year of high school, I broke up with my friend group. They weren’t treating me the way I deserved, so I cut off the friendships. This decision was freeing and made me happier, but it also left me with no one to hang out with. My weekends became empty and I found myself bored all the time. I missed going out with friends and having fun.

One lonely Saturday, I really wanted to go shopping. My mom was busy and I had no one else to ask, so I decided to go by myself. I put on a cute outfit, did my hair and makeup, and I left. I stopped at Starbucks, got a latte, and drove to Nordstrom Rack. I spent almost two hours at the store, leisurely browsing around. I bought some shorts, a cute jumpsuit and earrings that matched my graduation dress. I was still in a shopping mood when I left, so I went across the street to T.J. Maxx, where I bought more clothes.

Spending almost four hours shopping made me hungry, so I stopped at my favorite restaurant on the way home. As I sat alone at that table, I felt at peace. I had been putting on a show for my old friend group for so long that it felt so liberating to go out and just be myself. I came home feeling happy and fulfilled. I felt even better than the way I used to feel after spending time with friends. 

I’ve begun doing what I call “self dates” at least once a month. I put on a cute outfit and go out by myself. I don’t have to coordinate with anyone else or worry about logistics—I can just go. Sometimes I go shopping. Sometimes I go to Barnes & Noble to sit in a comfy chair and read magazines. Sometimes I go see a movie. Sometimes I go get my nails done. No matter what I do, it makes me feel better about myself. It can be so easy to get stuck in a rut of sitting home watching Netflix all the time—especially when you have a lack of friends—but you have to remember self-care.

Self-care is so important to one’s health, both physical and mental. Self dates are my method of self-care, but there are many other ways to take time to yourself!  Some examples are:

1. Take a soothing bath.
2. Put on a homemade face mask.
3. Cook yourself a nice meal.
4. Clean your room.
5. Do yoga.

What’s your favorite method of self-care? Let us know in the comments.

by Deanna Schwartz | 7/16/2018