‘What fun things can I do outside by myself?’, is a question many of you may be wondering after the pandemic. It has been almost two years since life came to a complete stop. If you enjoyed socializing and traveling, you know how much you missed meeting people. Even though things are getting back to normal, many of us want to go outside but are afraid of socializing. So, what is the other choice? Planning fun things to do outside by yourself.

 

In short, yes! For many of you who have only planned activities with friends, this may be out of your comfort zone. But not to worry, activities by yourself can be a lot of fun. The key is choosing an activity which doesn’t require other people.

Many of you may also be concerned about what other people may say. Remind yourself, that you want to enjoy the outdoors, and therefore you are doing this fun activity alone. What people say will not matter if you have a good time on your own.  To achieve this, you need to be comfortable with yourself and your own company.

While we all enjoy the company of others, enjoying some time alone can be a lot of fun. This is also known as “me time”. Having some time for yourself can help you relax and feel energetic again. It can also help us think of solutions to work or personal problems in a calm state of mind.

Not all activities we do outside are to solve problems. Some are genuinely meant to be relaxing and fun. First and foremost, make a list of things you have always wanted to do. Secondly, choose what activities you can do by yourself. Here is the tricky part, sometimes you want to do it but are anxious. In that case, choose that activity that is not scary. Make a list and tick each one as you try it. Before you know it, the scariest activity will be the most fun. Now let us look at some fun things you can do outside by yourself. Along with a list, we will also suggest some simple ways to plan the activity.

Go for a Walk

Going for a walk by yourself outside can be a lot of fun. It is also one of the most common solo activities people enjoy. If you have a park, ground or beach nearby, go for a 20-minute relaxing stroll.

Nature Activities

Being outside in nature can be a great way to relax, have fun and meet new people. This is especially true if you stay at a location where there are only buildings and a lot of noise. Hence, a trek or hike would be a great way to get away from the chaos of city life.  There are other fun nature activities you can try such as fishing, star gazing and so on. To do this, you can look up travel agencies or groups which plan such outdoor activities.

Try a New Restaurant/ Café

Another fun activity you can do outside is exploring new places to eat. You can also make a list of all the places you wanted to try but haven’t got a chance to go.

If you visit a café, you can carry a book to read or listen to music while you sip your favourite drink. You can also sit and journal or just observe the people at the café. These can be a lot of fun to do by yourself.

Explore Your City

At this moment if you can’t travel outside the country, be a tourist in your own town. If you search for tourist spots in your area, you will be surprised by the places you never knew about. Feel free to explore the local market, tourist attractions and restaurants popular among tourists. Even though this activity sounds simple, it can be extremely fun to be outside and get a new perspective of your town.

Plan a Guided Tour

Closely related to exploring your city is trying a locally guided tour. If you are not comfortable exploring the town by yourself, a guided tour can be a great idea. You can also check out the local museum or any monuments which you may have missed. This can be one of the fun activities you do outside by yourself.

Join an Outdoor Class

Have you ever wanted to achieve your fitness goal? This can be a perfect way to plan a fun outdoor activity to do by yourself. You can join the local gym, fitness class or just wear your running shoes and go for a jog. Another fun outdoor activity to do by yourself is to engage in solo sports. You can go for a swim at the local pool or go kayaking.

Such outdoor activities are known to benefit not only the body but also the mind. Along with having fun outside, your mood will improve and you will feel happier.

Travel by Yourself

We believe everyone should travel by themselves at least once in their life. Even though you may have initial apprehensions about travelling alone, there are a lot of benefits to traveling solo. It is considered to be one of the most fun activities you can do outside by yourself.

You will feel empowered and free after you take a solo trip. A trip outdoor by yourself will give you a new outlook on life. Solo travel also makes you ready for whatever comes your way. It will make you a new and confident person. This is because, even though you may make a plan, you still may face situations which were not planned for. Therefore, a well researched trip will make the experience of enjoying a fun activity outside smooth and fruitful.

Lastly, we would like to add that planning something by yourself can be scary, but a lot of fun. So, keep the worry aside, take out a note pad and make a plan of what you would like to do.

If you enjoyed reading this article and want to learn how you can make the best out of your life, check out our self help course “DBT for Social Anxiety“. While we understand you may have initial worry about going out on your own, this course will give you the confidence that you need.