DY Ideas
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Breakfast in Bed – for the Singles
Is breakfast in bed one of the most difficult things to get the hang of as a single person? Maybe it’s just me, but it seems a lot easier when I can just stay under the covers and wake up to fresh coffee, french toast and bacon…delivered right to me!
But there are ways to swing breakfast in bed even as a single person. Here are some tips, tricks, shortcuts and suggestions:
- Buy a coffeemaker that automatically brews at a time you set. At least the coffee will be ready, although it still won’t bring itself into the bedroom.
- Ease the transition from bed to the kitchen: wear comfy slippers or wrap yourself in a luxurious robe. Some folks might enjoy playing soft music in the background.
- If you have an electric blanket, consider turning it on when you leave the bed (so it’s warm when you return).
- Have pre-made or heat-and-eat things ready to go the night before.
- If you’re cooking from scratch, consider getting all of the ingredients ready and nearly assembled before you go to bed.
- Consider a no-cook breakfast: fruits, yogurt, granola, berries, smoothies, etc.
- Find yourself a nice tray to arrange all of your morning goodies on. Use your good china or silverware. Grab a nice cloth napkin.
Once you have your breakfast all ready to go, make sure you head back to bed!
- Cozy up, enjoying the electric blanket, the robe, extra socks, etc.
- Fluff up your pillows and make yourself comfortable in bed.
- Enjoy the look of this breakfast in bed before diving in to eat. Celebrate how well you’re taking care of yourself!
- Eat slowly. Don’t let your smartphone tempt you. Reading can be enjoyable, but don’t let the day (of tasks, responsibilities, news, messages) encroach upon this time.
When you’re done, think about what you want to do next. I personally enjoy a nap after these breakfasts in bed. It stretches out the ease and comfort of the experience. Whatever you decide to do, do it mindfully.
And that, my friends, is how to treat yourself to breakfast in bed!
All the things you love
You know how we write love letters (or e-mails, texts, etc.) to new loves and tell them all the things we love about them? Everything from how generous their heart is down to how we love the bridge of their nose!
Well, what if we did that for ourselves?
What if you had a list of all the things you love about yourself?
So grab some paper, or open a document on your computer, and start a list of everything you like and love about yourself.
BONUS if you can find 100+ details you like or love about yourself.
Another BONUS: start the list and display it somewhere conspicuous, like a kitchen cupboard, bathroom mirror or coffee table. Notice the list every day and add to it!
Find Inspiration on Pinterest
Pinterest is a great resource for inspiration and ideas. So when the single life is getting you down – or other people are getting you down about being single – find inspiration on Pinterest.
Board ideas (to search, peruse or create):
- Bucket lists
- Inspiring quotes
- Brave women
- DIY ideas (for anything you’re interested in)
- Book recommendations
- Travel tips
To get started with a few inspiring quotes, check out my Great Quotes board on Pinterest:
Follow Dating’s board Great Quotes on Pinterest.
Do you have some boards on Pinterest I should follow? Leave a link in the comments!
A Healthy Diet – For You!
Here’s a kick I’m on right now:
A healthy diet will make you feel better, bring more zest and energy into your life, make you look better and give you the energy to live a more exuberant life – all things we would want to offer a partner and should work harder to offer ourselves.
Play Games
Think of some games that might traditionally be done with a partner or even on a date. We’re talking:
- Wii games
- Board games
- Cards
- Chess
- Checkers
- Puzzles
If any of these are your idea of fun, but you haven’t played them in awhile because you’re flying solo…well, you know the deal on Dating Yourself: play these games for your own enjoyment!
How, you ask?
Set up space for a puzzle and work on it over the course of a week or weekend.
Set up a chess or checker board and play both sides. Take your time, even consider making this a multi-day competition.
For the truly collaborative/competitive games, devise new rules to make them a solo game. Or invite your friends over for a game night!
At the Sports Bar
Here’s a fun DY (Dating Yourself) idea:
Grab some friends and head to a sports bar. You know, the one you always pass and never think of as a viable bar option? That one!
Option 1: Grab friends who are into sports and actually know what will be happening. Root for their favorite team. Bonus points: get them to explain the game to you.
Option 2: Grab some friends who have absolutely no idea what will be happening, but who will get into the spirit of things nonetheless. Bonus points: choose opposing teams and make a small wager on the outcome.
A Restaurant Adventure
Here’s a restaurant adventure idea for you:
Try a new restaurant and ask the waitstaff what they would recommend to eat or drink. Heck, even give this a try at a restaurant with which you’re familiar.
You might be surprised at what they think is good on the menu (or in season or fresh)!
Indulge in An Indulgence
The Church no longer has a corner on indulgences. What do you want and enjoy?
A bubble bath, massage, or aromatherapy?
Concert tickets, or a drum kit?
“Permission” to jump on the cheap weekend flight to London, or just permission to get lost on a short road trip?
I’m not suggesting you bust the bank with an indulgence, nor go overboard with luxury or gluttony, but find what is meaningful to you – the thing that would signal to yourself that you care for yourself – and do it.
Look in the mirror
Look in the mirror and say “I like you.” This may be harder than you think. (But if it’s easy for you, go you!)
Once you do that comfortably every day for a week, look yourself in the mirror and say “I love you.”
This is an exercise even I’ve found difficult. I can actually be silly when looking in the mirror, giving myself a wink or saying “Hey there, good lookin’,” but when it comes to a meaningful sentence, I turn bashful.
When I’m looking myself in the eye, I know I have to mean the words in order to say them. And these words, they’re worth meaning.
Leave yourself love notes
Leave yourself love notes.
Do this on your:
- bathroom mirror
- front door
- refrigerator
- over the kitchen sink
- by your bed
- at your desk
- as you screensaver
- in your task list
- on windows
- in your car
A few specific examples:
Before leaving for vacation, write a note that says “You look fabulous and well-rested! Glad to have you back!” Create a screensaver with this message, write it on a sticky note and leave it in a drawer, or be bold and put it right on your computer monitor.
If you buy yourself a decadent/healthy treat the next time you’re at the grocery store, write this note on it: “I know these are your favorite – bought them just for you!” Put this note on the yummies and put them in the fridge or freezer.
Even though you know you put these notes there, you’ll still get a kick out of them when you see them. Plus, BONUS: you’re sending covert messages to yourself that you are valued, cherished and loved!
D5 Creation