Who says happiness must come in pairs? In an era where self-love is trending, sometimes the best moments in life are when we truly allow ourselves to date ourselves without having to consider anyone else.
Thairath Online has compiled five soul-healing activities carefully selected to“work better when done alone.”Along with psychological reasons that will make you fall in love with being alone more than ever.
1. Visit a museum: Experience art with unlimited imagination.
Walking through a museum or art gallery alone is not lonely; rather, it is“a form of walking meditation.”Have you ever gone with friends and felt unsatisfied because they walk fast while you walk slow, or they don’t connect with the art you like? Going alone offers ultimate freedom. You can stare at the same oil painting for 20 minutes to absorb every brushstroke detail or skip sections you’re not interested in without worrying about manners.
The silence in the gallery helps organize chaotic thoughts. Letting yourself interpret the art stimulates the right brain while giving the left brain a restful break.
2. Workshop activity: Shape clay, shape happiness.
In a chaotic social media world, getting a little messy might be the answer. A pottery workshop is an excellent digital detox that naturally makes you put your phone down.
Pottery requires intense concentration. Attending alone lets you focus 100% on the tactile experience without chatting with friends or worrying if your work looks better than others’. It’s a moment to have a conversation with yourself through the clay.
The spinning clay on the wheel brings you into a flow state, teaching you“patience”and“acceptance of imperfection.”Because the clay may warp or shrink, but it becomes a unique work of art crafted by you.
3. Onsen activity: Bare your body, rest your mind, leave shyness behind.
Many hesitate to try this alone, but believe me, once you do, you’ll be hooked. It’s a complete release of physical and mental burdens.
Soaking in an onsen with acquaintances can cause embarrassment about being naked or having to make small talk. But going alone among strangers oddly creates a sense of privacy. You can close your eyes, soak, and relax fully because the hot water relieves muscle tension from office syndrome, and the quiet of the onsen lets you hear your heartbeat and breathing more clearly—a deep recharge down to the cellular level.
4. Movie watching: Midnight movies alone, a date with your emotions.
Forget the word“weird.”The cinema is designed for focusing on the screen, not the person beside you. You have the right to choose any movie you want without voting with friends. Most importantly, you can cry loudly, laugh out loud, or scream with excitement freely without feeling embarrassed around acquaintances.
Watching a movie is an excellent emotional release. It’s a safe space to let out pent-up feelings through the characters’ stories. Leaving the theater, you’ll feel relieved as if you’ve vented your heart.
5. The sanctuary: Bookstore—getting lost among books to find inspiration.
For introverts, bookstores are“the safest refuge.”Walking alone in a bookstore is a quiet, exciting adventure. You can spend an hour reading back covers or smelling fresh paper. Browsing unfamiliar sections might lead you to“a life-changing book”by chance.
The peaceful bookstore atmosphere reduces distraction. Picking a book that resonates and then reading it at a nearby café with your favorite drink rewards your mind with knowledge and your heart with delight.
Happiness you create yourself. Going solo doesn’t mean you have no friends; it’s a declaration that“you can be happy on your own.”Try one activity from this list on your next day off, and you’ll discover that being your own best friend is a lasting friendship.