If romcoms have taught us anything, it’s that being alone is the worst thing ever. Romcoms, however, are terrible places to get advice. Being on your own might get a little boring occasionally, but single nights in can be a great way to get some self-care in.
Single nights in don’t have to be eating ice cream and drinking rosé in front of the tv — though they can be! — they can be a time to grow and rejuvenate after a long work week. This article will provide you with some ideas for how to make your nights count.
Gaming
Some people still see gaming as a total guy activity. The reality is that video games are for everyone. Whether you’re a casual gamer who enjoys meandering around Animal Crossing or you’re a hardcore MMORPG player, setting aside an evening to game is a great way to recharge your batteries.
Console and PC games are easy to sit down and immerse yourself in. If that’s too much of a time commitment or uses too much energy, mobile gaming is a great alternative. Spending an evening relaxing in front of the TV while playing on your phone can be a great way to reset.
During lockdown, online casinos really grew in popularity. It makes sense — playing casino games, especially on a mobile platform, is an engaging and relaxing activity. If you’re new to online gambling, slot machine games are a great place to start.
Online casino guides like the one at Casino Source CA, can point you towards the best slots. Some of the most popular slots in Canada are Wild Orient, Aztec Bonanza and Aurora Wilds. Like many of the best slots, these have engaging graphics and a high payout rate.
Creating
Some of us love having something to show for our single nights in. Having a creative hobby is not only a good way to relax, it’s also a way to keep your mind active and it gives you a sense of accomplishment. It can also help you get a jump start on yearly gift giving.
Many of us have used the pandemic as an opportunity to pick up a creative hobby. A quiet night to yourself is the perfect time to hone your skills and enjoy making something in a relaxed environment. Without an audience, there’s less pressure to do things perfectly.
If you haven’t found the right hobby for you yet, fibre arts are a good place to start. If knitting and crocheting require too much counting and memorization, there’s always cross stitch and embroidery. If those are too fiddly, felting gives you a lot of freedom with your creations.
If you’re interested in something a little more exciting, wood burning takes the artistic skill of drawing and adds fire to the mix. Be careful though, it’s easy to get hooked, and before you know it you’ve decorated every cutting board and wooden chair in the house!
Relaxing
We all lead busy lives these days full of pressures. Besides dealing with the frightening reality of living during a global pandemic, we still have to go to work every day, keep our relationships with friends and family strong, and deal with all of the other chores and hassles of being functioning adults.
All of this stress can damage our physical and mental health. Sometimes, just relaxing is exactly what you need. This can be in the form of a spa night, reading a book in bed or watching your favourite movie on the couch under a fluffy blanket.
If you have a hard time shutting off and allowing yourself to relax, follow these tips to help you create a space to chill in. Lighting a candle, especially one with an aromatherapy scent, can be a sign to yourself that it’s time to turn off for a bit.
Similarly, having a pair of comfy pajamas or fluffy slippers can be a “relaxing uniform” just like having certain work clothes. It can be hard to let yourself take a break sometimes, but it is really important to your physical and mental health.
Feasting
Cooking for yourself every day can feel like a chore. You fall into a rut with the same few dishes. Using a meal kit subscription service can help you try new recipes, but it also limits you to the meals that someone else has planned for you. Your other option is to order more takeout than is good for you.
Cooking can be a wonderful, relaxing activity if you can give yourself the time and energy to make it that way. Cooking a feast for yourself, with leftovers to freeze for busy weeknights in the future, is a lovely way to spend a night in.
With world travel on hold at the moment, consider travelling through the kitchen. If you can’t go on your dream Mediterranean holiday, why not do some research on the dishes you’re most interested in trying and plan a menu featuring these?
If you’d love to go to Greece, for example, open a bottle of ouzo, put on Mamma Mia! and get cooking. Moussaka – a dish of spiced ground beef or lamb with eggplant in a tomato sauce – is a sort of Greek casserole that is as delicious right out of the oven as it is reheated from the freezer.
So whether you want to spend your single nights feasting, relaxing, creating or even gaming, don’t think of it as a wasted evening. Just remember that when you’re spending a night by yourself, you don’t have to make any compromises – you can spend your time however you want, which can only be a good thing!
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