Plan a Solo Summer Date to Slow Down and Savor the Season

There’s something undeniably tender about summer’s quiet moments: Mornings feel like a deep inhale, golden, and full of possibility. In a recent essay for Camille Styles, writer Isabelle Eyman described how this season called her to “soft mornings, slow meals, and sacred stillness” as a way to reconnect with herself during a season of caregiving. Her words struck a chord, and they’re a gentle reminder that amid the rush of summer, solitary time can be its own kind of nourishment.

Taking yourself on a solo summer date, an intentional stretch of time spent entirely in your own company, might sound simple. But as Eyman writes, it can be deeply restorative. It’s a chance to step away from noise, obligations, and schedules, and instead move through a day at your own pace.

Here’s how to plan one that feels intentional, grounding, and uniquely yours.

Solo Dates Are Having a Viral Moment

If you need a little inspiration, or encouragement, to plan your own solo date, you’re not alone. On TikTok and Instagram, the “date yourself” movement has blossomed into a self-love ritual embraced by thousands. One standout creator, Michaela Witter (@michaela.witter), gained attention in 2023 for her “100 Solo Dates” challenge. Each day, she pulled a new idea from a jar—ranging from cozy nights in to outdoor adventures, and shared her experience with her followers.

One of her favorites? A solo brunch and mimosa outing.

“Gotta say, the going-out-to-eat solo dates are my favorite,” she captioned in one post. “I’m also so much more comfortable doing it now.”

Create a Slow Morning

Start your solo date by giving yourself permission not to rush. Instead of jumping into tasks, ease into your morning with care. Brew your favorite coffee or tea. Sit by the window. Open the door and breathe in the early air.

You might write a few lines in a journal or simply stretch and check in with how your body feels. Ask yourself the questions Eyman uses to begin her solo days: What do I need today? What would bring me joy, even in a small way?

Spacious mornings aren’t lazy, they’re generous. And they create room for whatever you want your day to become.

Go Where You Feel Most Like You

The beauty of a solo date is that no one else is setting the pace. You can move slow or fast, explore or stay still. You get to follow your whims. A few soul-filling ideas:

• Wander through a weekend farmers’ market with no shopping list.
• Sit in the park with a baguette, fresh berries, and a book.
• Visit a local museum, then grab an iced matcha nearby.
• Try a solo brunch (yes, table for one), and order your favorite indulgent breakfast.
• Walk through a neighborhood you love, just to admire the homes and gardens.

As Eyman suggests, this isn’t about doing anything impressive—it’s about noticing what delights you when no one’s watching.

Turn a Meal Into a Moment

Too often, meals eaten alone are rushed or spent doomscrolling. But on a solo summer date, food becomes part of the ritual. Choose a dish you love, simple or elaborate, and make it feel special.

Maybe it’s a late lunch of tomato toast and sparkling water on your porch. Maybe it’s a chilled pasta salad you prepped just for yourself. Or maybe it’s picking up a treat from your favorite café and eating it slowly, with the sun on your face.

Use your favorite plate. Add herbs. Sit down, breathe deeply, and enjoy every bite. You’re not just feeding your body, you’re caring for your whole self.

Let Stillness Be the Finale

End your solo date without rushing toward the next thing. Let it close with softness: A short nap. A curated playlist and open windows. A long bath with a few drops of essential oil. A quiet moment in the garden, barefoot and unhurried.

As Eyman writes, alone time is a way to recenter your life. It’s a reminder that you are enough, exactly as you are, and that time spent with yourself can be just as fulfilling as any big summer plan.

Let this be your invitation to choose stillness. A solo summer date doesn’t need a reason, a partner, or a big plan. Just your presence, and the belief you’re worth your own time.