Learning to spend time on your own is one of the most empowering things you can do and after sharing more of this type of thing on Instagram recently, as well as starting my broadcast channel for anyone interested, I’ve created this first 7 day solo challenge. It’s a general challenge for anyone but specifically has North East recommendations. Over the years I’ve got pretty good at doing things solo, whether I’ve been in a relationship or not, it doesn’t matter.

Solo adventures give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, embrace your independence, and build confidence in ways you might not expect, and what better way to get started than in your home town? This solo challenge comes with North East recommendations, but if you’re not from here you can apply it to wherever you live. 

Whether you’re trying to get more comfortable doing things alone or you’re looking for fresh ways to celebrate your solo time, this 7-day challenge is for you. Designed more so with women in mind, but genuinely for anyone, this guide encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and enjoy life solo—because being single, or spending time alone – whatever your circumstance shouldn’t stop you doing anything. 

Each day offers a new activity that can be tailored to your interests and schedule. Take them on one at a time or mix them up. The goal is to have fun, explore, and nurture your relationship with yourself with some solo adventures.

Day 1: Go for a solo coffee walk

Starting off easy, all you have to do is go for a solo walk and get a coffee. Head out on your own, grab a coffee from your favourite cafe, and enjoy a stroll. If you prefer, put your air pods in and listen to music or put a podcast on. I actually prefer without, especially if I’m walking on the beach. 

Extra points if you sit in a cafe rather than take out. I tend to go for places with high bar stool seating in a window, or where a lot of people go to work with their laptops if I’m on my own. It shouldn’t matter but I do think it makes you less aware of it if there are others alone too.

Some of my favourite solo coffee spots in Newcastle or the coast are listed below, because they all have either high window seating great for watching the world go by, or tables designed for individuals and workers.

• Woods, Tynemouth
• Regular Jo’s, Tynemouth
• Cullercoats Coffee, Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay
• Wombat Wisdom, Whitley Bay
• Kith & Kin, Whitley Bay
• Aidan’s Kitchen, Sandyford
• Laneway & Co, Newcastle
• Pink Lane Coffee, Newcastle
• Flower Cafe, Newcastle

You deserve a little to me from me treat!

Day 2: Get cultured at a museum or gallery exhibition

Exhibitions today are more diverse than ever, catering to a wide range of tastes. Take your time browsing what’s on locally, and plan a solo date to immerse yourself in something that interests you. I’ve loved visiting the Moco museums on my own in Amsterdam and Barcelona, as well as the National Portrait Gallery in London for the Vogue 100 exhibition, and more recently in Newcastle the Rose Tinted Glasses show, the Fighting Temreraire at the Laing Gallery, and the Covert Couture exhibition at the Hancock Gallery. 

Find what’s on at local galleries and museums near you, and if any take your fancy just go. Make a date with yourself with a drink or coffee somewhere nearby too. I find that unless it’s something specific, I tend to enjoy the smaller, independent ones more, so don’t just look for the big museums and galleries. Follow your favourites on social media so you can keep up with any one off events you might like to go to. 

I won’t suggest current exhibitions as they change all the time but the places I’d keep an eye on in Newcastle include:

• The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
• NCA on High Bridge Street
• Laing Art Gallery
• Hancock Museum
• Hancock Gallery
• The Biscuit Factory
• Venues around Ouseburn find them here

Day 3: Dog-Friendly Day out

Whether it’s a walk to a dog park, heading to the beach, a National Trust site or public gardens visit, heading to the Lakes, a landmark walk like Hadrian’s wall, or a full mountain trail, there is no denying that dog friendly adventures are great to do solo. I do LOADS on my own with Arthur and these are just some of my favourite things to do outside with him. 

The time spent in the fresh air, and the feel good vibe of having fun with a pet enjoying themselves is one of the best dopamine fixes you can get and is great for your wellbeing. Arthur makes me laugh every single day, and I have recently been asked if having him with me makes me more comfortable and more confident. The honest answer is a bit of both. 

I love taking him with me especially for these sorts of activities, but in some environments where he might kick off – such as the pub if there is football on and it’s busy – I wouldn’t take him. 

I’m so used to doing both I wouldn’t say it makes me more comfortable now, but it has at times in the past I can definitely see how it would make people feel better if you’re new to it, and particularly in cafes or restaurants. People will come over and will talk to you mainly to pet them, so if that’s what you’re looking for then it’s great.

I have a lot of dog friendly suggestions across the North East region, and further beyond here. No pup? No problem – go anyway and meet everyone else’s!

Day 4: Take yourself for lunch or dinner

I think people find this the most daunting, and the hardest to get through the mental barrier that comes with the thought of eating out alone, so maybe start with lunch, or an early dinner. Places with high bar or window seating are great for solo diners and can make you feel more comfortable. In Newcastle I like Sushi Me Rollin, The Muddler, Butakun, Fuego and Gino’s. 

Chain restaurants are also good as you tend to get a lot of business people in there especially through the week so you look like you’re doing the same, but ultimately you shouldn’t be limited where you choose to eat. 

If you’re not brave enough for a proper restaurant yet then the Grainger Market where all the street food stalls have seating is a good one to start with as a lot of people are doing the same – grabbing lunch on their break so it’s much more casual. For some reason I find that if you have a reason for being on your own in your head it bothers you less. 

When I started doing this it was because I was travelling for work, so if anyone asked why I was alone that’s a perfectly plausible answer. There are so many reasons you could be eating out alone, but the point is firstly you shouldn’t NEED a reason, and secondly – nobody ever asks anyway! Your self perception is way stronger than their interest in why you’re eating alone. People are too wrapped up in their own selves. 

You’re not going to see these people again and even if you do so what. If it makes you feel better to have a reason, make one up, but just because you want to beats them all in my opinion.

Day 5: Go to the pub or a bar for a drink

Another one people have quite a big aversion to, especially women – men have been ‘popping for a pint’ for years – so why shouldn’t we? This is actually one of my favourite things to do alone. I love nothing more than on a Thursday or Friday early evening to pop into one of the local micro pubs and have a glass of wine. 

I also enjoy a lunchtime cider at a weekend, or sometimes a cocktail in town after an afternoon shopping. I think the key is being selective of where you go. Little local bars and pubs are great because you get to know the locals in there – most of whom are alone too – the staff in these places always chat on, and it just builds your confidence the more you do it and it becomes a routine.

If I’ve been shopping then a cocktail is a chance to rest your feet, check your list, add up what you’ve spent, and round off your trip. It becomes an experience, even if you’re enjoying it while you have a bit scroll or catch up on messages. 

Choose your locals that are local to you, my go tos at the coast are Left Luggage, Platform 2, Apres Longsands – but there’s many more. In town good places for a cocktail on your own are again places with bar style seating so you’re not at a table, and window views. I tend to avoid full on proper night bars where people are already getting on it for a night out.

So I like Hibou Blanc, Cafe Mercy/Mother Mercy in Fenwicks, All Bar One they have little nook tables, and Horticulture.

Day 6: Be a tourist in your own city

If you visit another city you’d probably go out exploring, seeing the sights, looking at what’s on – so why not do this in your own city? And you’d take photos, so if you need an activity rather than just walking around, capture your own city like a tourist. You can take this one as far as you like, extend it with dinner, or even book a night for a solo hotel stay. Whatever you’d do in a new city, apply it here.

For Newcastle, you could head up Monument on one of their open days, take a guided food tour, or a guided landmark tour. I went up to the top of Monument for the first time this year and it was great. I’ve also done a tour of the Lit & Phil which I loved! I was the youngest one there by about 30 years but who cares. 

Visit the local markets and traders, shop for local souvenirs and in general rediscover your own city through a new lens – your own. 

Day 7: Sunday Sunrise

The best way to wrap up your week, or start any day for that matter is with a sunrise beach walk. If you’ve followed me on instagram for a while you’ll know I swear by them, especially in winter when the colours are incredible. I call it therapy because no matter what mood you’re in you will come away feeling so refreshed and motivated. 

If you dont live close to the coast then any form of nature sunrise walk will do. The sunsets have also been pretty good recently in the North East so you could do that instead if you prefer, but I think sunrises are best as they start the day. My advice would be to go fifteen minutes before it actually rises when the skies are always fabulous, take a coffee, and dont put your airpods in.

These 7 ideas will hopefully give you some inspiration for embracing solo adventures, empowered to try solo dates for yourself, and feeling more confident in spending time on your own. If you’re new to it you’ll learn to love it! Despite this being named a 7 day challenge, they obviously can be done in any order at any time. I have a lot more to come on this topic so hope you find it useful. If you do take inspiration for any of them let me know, send me a dm or tag me in any pics you share, I’d love to see where you end up! 

Join my Sunday Girls Club broadcast channel via instagram here. Lots more tips suggestions and more specific ideas to come.