Try something new in 2023

The most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself.

Last year I lost myself trying to please everyone else. Trying to be something of people when they wouldn’t even spare time for me if I needed something. I decided that I will no longer give energy to things and people that don’t serve me, furthermore I will spend more time with myself. Then I came up with this idea. Instead of looking for someone to date or worrying about a relationship, I would start dating myself. Doing all these things for myself that I would want a partner to do for me.

1. Grab a jar from your local Dollar Tree and some sticky notes.
2. Write down all of the things you want to do with yourself. Get your nails done, and go read at a coffee shop. Make sure you choose new things outside in your city and time with yourself at home. (Pink is home and Green is going out)
3. Commit to a certain number of dates a month. I plan to do my dates every 2 weeks.
4. Every month or every 2 weeks pick a small note out of the jar and do whatever that paper says. Show up for yourself as you would show up for an actual date!

First dates are uncomfortable. Chances are your first solo date will be, too. Choose an activity you think you’d enjoy, but make sure it’s slightly outside of your comfort zone. It takes guts to date yourself! Make it a priority, don’t ghost yourself on your first date. Make it something that you want to do!

Here are some free cards you can print off and add to your own jar or you can edit these cards with a free Canva account.

1. Go see a movie alone. 
2. Book a facial. 
3. Cook a fancy meal for yourself. 
4. Treat yourself to dinner out. 
5. Try an at-home spa night. 
6. Take a class. 
7. Plan a stay-cation. 
8. Get a manicure. 
9. Teach yourself a new craft. 
10. Host a solo wine and paint night. 
11. Try a new fitness class. 
12. Take yourself on a picnic. 
13. Go on a shopping spree. 
14. Hit up a new bookstore.
15. Read in a coffee shop. 
16. Explore a new park. 
17. Plan a solo camping trip. 
18. Try a new restaurant.
19. Get dressed up and take photos. 
20. Buy yourself some jewelry. 
21. Go get yourself a massage. 
22. Redecorate a room.
23. Visit a museum. 
24. Hit the local farmer’s market. 
25. Run a bath and read a cheesy romance novel.
26. Take yourself to a new place in your city.
27. Spend an afternoon at a winery or brewery. 
28. Go to a concert alone. 
29. Plan a tech-free weekend. 
30. Meditate on the things you love about yourself. 

Self-care is about one person and one person only: YOU.
Any activity that reenergizes you and makes you feel great is self-care. It’s all about finding those things and working them into your daily routine.

Other things you can do:

• Make an amazon wish list and buy yourself something off of it every month.
• If you have children, let them plan the entire day.
• Create a playlist and take a drive with the windows down.
• Start a journal.
• Go to church.

There are so many things you can do to show yourself love!