The thought of being alone may be daunting. But what if we told you that your twenties are the time to do just that – to enjoy having things to do alone and having as much “me” time as you can. You should be taking advantage of it too.
Why? This is the time where you’re discovering who you are separate from family, partners and friends. Your schedule is still relatively flexible and your mistakes are much more low-stakes than you probably realize. We get it though – this independence does feel both exciting… but terrifying.
Let’s be honest – a lot of people spend their twenties waiting for someone else to join them before they start living. When you do this, you’re letting the decade pass you right by. For some reason, we’ve been ingrained to think that being alone in public is embarrassing. The solitude feels so uncomfortable.
But in reality, doing things alone will teach you confidence and self-trust. You’ll find yourself enjoying your own company much more than you probably thought you would, too. But how do you get there? You have to start somewhere.
Find the Strength Behind Doing Things Alone in Your Twenties
Here are 25 things worth doing alone in your twenties – not because you have no one to go with, but because learning to enjoy your own company might be one of the most important skills you ever develop. Yes, it will involve doing some things alone that may scare you a little, but trust us, it’ll be totally worth it.
Out and About
1. Go to a coffee shop without your phone
You read that correctly – without your phone. Use the time to observe people, journal or sit with your thoughts.
2. Go to a movie alone
This is such an underrated form of freedom because there’s no coordinating schedules to see that movie you’ve been wanting to see. Plus, this is one of the “easier” things to do as you’ll be sitting in the dark and no one pays attention to you.
3. Try a fitness class alone
Doing something like this by yourself won’t just get you moving your body, but will help you build confidence, fast.
4. Read a book in a park for an entire afternoon
Grab that iced coffee, enjoy the sunlight, lose track of time and get lost in a good book. What sounds better than that?
5. Travel somewhere solo
This will teach you so much about yourself, but will also teach you that most of your “alone” fears will disappear the second you start moving. Plus, why wait for someone else to go and explore that place you’ve been dying to go visit?!
6. Take yourself to a museum or bookstore
Going these places alone allows you to move at your own comfortable pace.
7. Watch the sunrise or sunset alone
Cherish the early morning quiet or the end of the day just for yourself. Use the time for stillness, reflection or perspective.
8. Take yourself on a “main character” day
You deserve to have a day – go to a coffee shop, bookstore, solo lunch, long walk – or all of the above. Really take it to the next level, buy yourself flowers and dress up in your favorite outfit.
9. Go to a farmer’s market alone
This will also make you feel much more adult.
Things to Do Alone in the Cozy Indoors
10. Start a hobby no one around you cares about
Some examples of this can be pottery, running, photography, gardening, learning guitar, baking complicated recipes and so on.
11. Journal consistently for a month
This is such an excellent skill as it’ll help you with self-awareness, emotional processing, recognizing patterns as well as tracking personal growth.
12. Make a playlist that feels like your life right now
This will be a capsule for your twenties – when you hear it in the future you’ll immediately think back to this time.
13. Learn to cook three signature meals
Not only will this help you save money, but it will help you create routines, feel grounded and care for yourself practically, too.
14. Create a personal budget
This may not be the most glorious, but learning about your spending habits can actually help you become intentional with money and reduce your anxiety.
15. Decorate your apartment exactly how you want
This may be the one time in your life that your place is entirely yours and you can do what you want with it. You don’t have to cater to anyone else’s tastes or styles. So, do whatever you want to your place and enjoy! Really make it your sanctuary.
16. Celebrate your own achievements intentionally
This should include finishing a hard semester, getting a promotion, getting through a difficult year or paying off debt. All of these things are meant to be celebrated, so pop open that champagne or get yourself that celebratory cake.
17. Go to therapy
One of the most valuable skills you can build in your twenties is emotional self-awareness, and going to therapy will help you do just that.
Do These Sound Scary? Try Them!
18. Attend a concert alone
Your favorite band’s coming and no one can go with you. What do you do, miss it? Go alone! Not only is it empowering, but it’s easier to enjoy the music. You’ll probably regret not going to see them when you had the chance, too.
19. Go on a solo weekend trip
If the thought of traveling somewhere “big” really petrifies you, start small – instead you can do a solo weekend trip not too far from your house. Chances are, once you do this, it’ll get you wanting to take that bigger trip.
20. Move apartments (or cities) independently
Yes, it’s scary, but it will help you know for sure where you want to set roots in and live.
21. Spend a full day in your city by yourself
That’s right, act like a tourist! Chances are, you haven’t really explored your city like the tourists do. Wander intentionally, and you’ll start noticing things in your city you’ve never noticed before.
22. Learn how to navigate airports or train stations confidently
Why’s this important? Because a lot of adulthood is learning not to panic in unfamiliar situations.
23. Take yourself out to dinner
For some reason there’s a stigma around eating alone. Yet it’s a stigma we all created and one that we should be challenging. So, if there’s a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try, go ahead and enjoy yourself.
24. Spend a day completely offline
Yes, at first you’ll have some discomfort and find yourself reaching for your phone, but being disconnected from everyone else can help you reconnect you to yourself.
25. Learn how to be alone without distracting yourself
We saved the hardest one for last, but it also just may be the most important one.
Final Thoughts on Doing Things Alone in Your Twenties
It seems counterintuitive to the expectation that we have a person by our side at all times to go through life, but doing things alone is crucial. Do what you enjoy and don’t be hesitant to try something new. You’ll learn about yourself and strengthen self-worth and confidence along the way.
About the Author
Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.