23 Accessible Winter Activities for When You Feel Alone
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Being chronically ill can be a lonely experience. Not only do you have to spend a lot of time resting and recovering at home, it’s often also challenging to hang out with friends, meet new people or go on dates when you’re dizzy, nauseous, in pain or just not well.
Aside from the social isolation, you may also feel like none of your healthy relatives and peers really understand what it’s like to deal with chronic illness all day every day. That emotional loneliness can physically hurt, and lead to feelings of alienation, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
When you feel lonely, what can you do to make being on your own a little more enjoyable?
Solo dates can help you embrace the upsides of solitude too, like having space for self-reflection and creativity, or simply doing what you feel like, without having to worry about other people’s plans and preferences. Don’t get me wrong, no single fun activity can beat real loneliness. But doing something that brings you joy will boost your mood and confidence. Plus, you deserve some TLC too!
Now having fun is not as straight-forward as you’d think when you’re living with pain, fatigue and brain fog. Chronic illness can make it hard (or even impossible) to go to a loud sports bar, to walk around a museum, to focus on long movies, or to eat at a restaurant with severe allergies. Thankfully, with a little creativity, there are still some illness-proof ways you can enjoy your own company.
So whether you’re single or in a relationship, explore these 16 solo date ideas when you feel lonely.
Solo Dates at Home
With a few small touches and a positive mindset, you can make everyday activities feel special for an uplifting or comforting solo date at home.
1. Have an arty afternoon.
You don’t have to be the next Van Gogh to get creative. Embrace your inner artist in any way you like – easy watercoloring anyone can do, making an inspiring scrapbook, knitting a scarf or playing around with washi tape. You can light a candle, make yourself a delicious hot drink or put on some background music to get in a ‘hygge’ mood.
If you’re stuck in bed, consider getting yourself a cushion laptop table to be able to craft origami, string beads into a bracelet or write poetry.
2. Relax with a spa day at home.
With all you’re going through, your body deserves some self-care. Indulge yourself with some DIY wellness, from scrubbing your skin before taking a luxurious bath with a herbal bath ‘tea’ (or a foot soak if that’s less taxing for you) to massaging yourself with soothing body oil.
You can also polish your nails, have a face mask, do your hair, whatever feels good to you! Take inspiration from ‘How to Have an Indulging Spa Day at Home’ and steal some beauty recipes made from natural ingredients here.
3. Order in.
Can’t go out to restaurant? Get some take-out delivered – but make it a real treat. Set the table with a table cloth, your nicest china and a candle – yes, even if you’re ordering your usual lasagna or tikka masala.
Make it special by doing something different than normally at dinnertime. Put on some good music, read an inspiring magazine or listen to an audiobook that matches your food – like One Italian Summer for pasta or Homeseeking when you’re having Chinese.
4. Recreate concert vibes.
Bring the festival experience to your living room by streaming a concert from artists your love. Put on a band shirt or sequin dress (if you’re able), make some fun mocktails and snacks, and sing and dance along.
And the nice thing is, you can lie down on your couch to rest any time you need a break – plus no waiting in line for bath room breaks!
5. Learn something new.
Learning new things gives you a healthy dopamine boost. And that doesn’t have to be serious, difficult or ‘school-like’, it can be any skill or topic that brings you a sense of excitement.
So settle yourself on the sofa with a language app or solo chess game, or listen to informational podcasts and audiobooks when you’re lying in bed. You could also learn to play a new song on your piano, pick up a new recipe, teach yourself a new make-up technique or recognizing a constellation of stars.
There are lots of free or budget-friendly resources available through your local library or platforms like Udemy and Khan Academy.
6. Have a solo game night.
Do you love playing games? You don’t have to stick to solitaire just because you’re by yourself. Even a standard deck of 52 cards turns into various single-player card games, like Pyramid or Bowling. But you could also try the survival-themed solo-deck ‘Friday’ where you help Robinson Crusoe navigate the challenges of being stranded on a deserted island, or work on your strategic game with ‘Hostage Negotiator’.
Keep your mind engaged while your body rests with a portable smart game (the IQ Puzzler Pro remains my favorite) or go all out on relatively good days with a solo board game like ‘Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective‘ or ‘Hadrian’s Wall’, plus a healthy snack board.
You could also consider a virtual competition of chess or esports if playing solo board or card games isn’t your thing.
7. Watch something different.
Movies and TV series can be easy entertainment when you spend a lot of time sick in bed or on the couch. But even the best shows will start to feel a little repetitive sometimes, so it can be fun to shake things up by watching something different than usual.
If you tend to watch Nordic noir suspense, lighten up with a musical like The Greatest Showman and LaLaLand or a stand-up comedy show for an evening. Give accessible arthouse films a try, such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Lost in Translation, stream a dance performance or consider a classic western.
You could even rejoice in watching your favorite childhood (animated) movies again for some nostalgia and comfort.
8. Treat yourself.
You don’t need a special someone in your life to buy you chocolates. Get yourself an indulgent treat – you deserve it!
If you love baking, spend some time in the kitchen if you can, making Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies, a fresh Key Lime Pie or Paleo Apple Donuts. But you could also order a selection of sweets with your next grocery delivery and make yourself a dessert tasting plate. You can use anything you fancy, from fresh fruit to Belgian truffles, mini tarts and a scoop of ice cream.
And the upside of a solo date is, you don’t have to share your treat with anyone!
In that same spirit…
9. Buy yourself flowers.
A beautiful bouquet brightens up every room. Get yourself some tulips to make some easy flower arrangements for that Spring feeling, or grow flowers like orchids, geraniums and amaryllis indoors for some year-round pops of color. Even a single peony by your bedside will bring some natural beauty in when you’re stuck indoors.
You could also make a seasonal wreath for some natural decoration, or use blooming branches or eucalyptus as simple but stunning centerpieces.
10. Give your bedroom a mini makeover.
Do you spend a lot of time sick in bed? Make some tiny upgrades to your bedroom as an act of self love.
Invest in some items that will make resting more comfortable, like flannel pajamas, cozy socks, a silk sleep mask or a soft body pillow. You could even get an essential oil diffuser or make some lavender room spray to spritz on your bedding for a calming vibe. Placing a BPA-free water bottle or thermos will also help you stay hydrated in style.
A low-maintenance plant doesn’t just liven up the room, but it will also help purify the indoor, reduce stress and support your healing. To lift your mood, upload happy memories to a digital photo frame or make a vision board to stay motivated and inspired. You may also hang some butterfly-attracting plants or a bird feeder by your window to enjoy your local wildlife while you’re lying in bed.
Solo Date Ideas Outside of the Home
Feeling well enough to go out? Take a look at these solo date ideas that could be done with limited energy and mobility (depending on your health condition of course!).
11. Go on a cultural solo date.
Browse an indie bookstore or your local library, and afterwards, sit down in a quiet cafe with a chai tea to read. Go to the movie theatre for an entertaining afternoon – or surprise yourself with a sneak peek preview if you dare! You could also visit a local museum, attend a poetry night or treat yourself to tickets of a ballet performance, whatever you’re in the mood for.
12. Enjoy some nature time.
There’s nothing more rejuvenating than spending time outdoors. That isn’t always easy when you’re chronically ill, but with some helpful tips you could still enjoy nature.
Drink a cup of coffee on your balcony as you watch the sunrise. Do some restorative yoga exercises in the garden. Head to the nearby park and bring a note book for some nature journaling. If you live near the beach, go for a short walk by the shore or rent a beach wheelchair. A hot chocolate or ice cream cone afterwards will make your solo date complete!
13. Watch a sports game.
Are you a big fan of football, hockey or athletics? The next time a big game is on, if your health allows it, consider watching it on a big screen at a local sports bar for some additional excitement. No easier way to connect with new people than supporting the same team, right?
You could also see if there are (free) local sports events like a marathon or cycling race in your area to soak up some sportive vibes.
14. Go thrifting.
For some budget-friendly me-time, visit a local secondhand shop or flea market to look for a new vintage outfit or pre-loved home decorations. Even if you don’t score a great find, you’ll probably have fun browse the aisles or stalls.
And as a bonus, you can easily turn your thrifting trip into a second solo date by bringing home items that could use some restoration or repurposing during an arty afternoon at home (see tip #1).
15. Book a massage.
Getting a massage must be one of the best ways to release tension from your body. Even if a Swedish full-body massage is not for you because of your health, body image or bad experiences, you could probably enjoy a reflexology foot massage or chair massage. Hot stones and aromatic oils can add a luxurious touch to any style of massage.
Just make sure you consult a qualified therapist that understands your condition and will adjust its pressure and techniques to your preferences and needs. And when in doubt, always check with your physician whether getting a massage is the right choice for you.
16. Have a ‘fika’.
Steal this Swedish habit of making your mid-morning coffee feel special, by indulging in some good quality coffee with a cinnamon bun, slice of cake or other baked goods. ‘Fika’ is supposed to be a relaxing break, so whenever you visit a cute bakery, take your time and sit back and read a magazine. And if the weather is nice enough, take your latte to go so you can enjoy it sitting outside in the sunshine.
No fun activity can take the loneliness of living with chronic illness fully away. But hopefully, these solo date ideas will have given you some inspiration to enjoy your own company and treat yourself with some extra self-care and mood-boosting activities.
For more ideas on how to keep your mind entertained while your body rests, download the Bored and Sick Guide with 130 low-energy fun things to do.
You can find more illness-proof activities in 19 Cozy Fall Activities for Chronic Illness Self-Care and 21 Backyard Adventures for an Amazing Summer at Home, as well as How You Can Still Embrace Spring during a Season of Self-Isolation.
