I embarked on a whole new life this summer.
It’s the journey of a lifetime. I’m making so many positive changes. Overall, it’s a big improvement over the life I already thought was pretty great!
One of my favorite new traditions is taking myself out for a fun solo date on Thursday nights. Since I have Z on Friday and Saturday nights, I typically stay pretty kid- and home-centered all weekend. But Thursday nights? Those are just for me – and I love them.
There was a time when I might have felt alone or lonely when faced with an entire day or evening by myself. Thankfully, I now truly enjoy my alone time.
My Thursday night dates with myself are a way of celebrating that growth and reveling in my newfound love of spending time in my own company.
I have a whole list of fun date ideas for myself and I’m always looking for new ideas. Here’s the gist of what I like to do on my Thursday nights:
- Dress up and put on make-up so I feel super cute – then treat myself to a meal at a new-to-me restaurant. Bonus points if it’s in a new-to-me area or one I don’t usually get to!
- Go to my favorite dance class and then get takeout from a familiar favorite
- Take an art class or new form of dance class I haven’t tried
- Splurge on concert, ballet or theatre tickets – or better yet, get free tickets for being a Yelp Elite or Columbus Insider!
- Go to the movies – something I always love to do, but especially alone
- Go to a museum or conservatory, something I can never seem to convince anyone else to do with me
- Before summer ends, I plan to walk down to my community pool and have a solo swim date – and maybe even a selfie photo shoot!
I went out with the Experience Columbus Insiders group recently for a walking tour with Columbus Ghost Tours, and that’s what inadvertently set me on my path of Thursday night solo dates. I had such a great time being out and about in downtown Columbus at night – something I rarely do. Then, I spent the weekend being a homebody, which I also love. It felt like the best of both worlds!
Then, on another recent Thursday, I had the incredible honor and privilege of seeing Alok Vaid-Menon live as part of their stand-up tour. They performed their unique blend of comedy, brilliant satire and moving spoken word art at the Funny Bone in Columbus to a deliciously diverse sold-out crowd. I was so proud of Queer Columbus – way to show up and show out!
For the Alok show, I selected a special outfit and applied some makeup. I thought there might be a slight chance I’d get to meet them after the show, and I wanted to be sure to serve since Alok is such a fashion icon! That’s what gave me the idea to try to dress up a bit and put on makeup for my solo dates; it makes me feel so good when I put in a little extra effort to look cute. Not for anyone else – just for my own pleasure.
Most recently, I spent a Thursday night at a zine-making workship with Yelp Columbus as part of the Poetry Festival. It was an incredible evening of art, creativity, community and connection. I loved it!
I’m so excited to see where my Thursday night solo dates take me next. This life I’m creating for myself is beautiful, meaningful and intentional. The energy is top-notch and the vibes are immaculate… even if my house isn’t always.
I love spending time with Z or with friends and family, but I’m also finding joy and meaning in my alone time. It’s an unexpected benefit of this later-in-life transition!
Yes, friends, there is life after divorce – and believe it or not, sometimes it can be the best life of all.
