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Lately, as I’ve been building this blog, I realized something…
I was spending so much time writing about growth, creativity, and living fully,
But I hadn’t stepped out to live it for myself in a while.
I needed new photos, new props, and new inspiration for upcoming posts.
And as I started listing out all the things I needed to do and places I needed to visit,
I thought:
Why not turn this into something more than just a task list?
Turning a To-Do List Into a Solo Date
It’s normal to knock out errands and to-dos all in one go.
But this time felt different.
A lot of what I needed to do actually aligned with my interests,
Taking photos, walking around my town, looking for records to grow my music collection.
So I decided to treat the whole thing like a solo date.
I walked to the square in my town, letting myself move slower than usual,
Listening to music, people-watching, and just being.
What I Did on My Solo Date
1. Stopped at the Local Record Store
I checked out one of my favorite local spots and picked up three new vinyls for my growing collection.
I’ve always been passionate about listening to full albums, not just random singles.
When you take the time to hear an album all the way through,
you don’t just hear songs,
you hear a story.
A full body of work.
If you’ve never tried that before, I highly recommend it.
It’s one of the best ways to consume media without looking at a screen,
and it makes music feel brand new again.
Check out my Albums & Expression blog if you’re curious about the albums I’ve listened to, my ratings, and my honest thoughts.
If you’re thinking about starting your own vinyl collection, this is the record player I love. It has a vintage but timeless look that fits right into my space.
2. Read in Public (Yes, It Felt Awkward at First)
After the record store, I found a little public seating area and pulled out the book I'm currently reading.
It felt weird at first,
like I wasn’t supposed to sit there alone.
But after a few pages, I realized no one cared,
and I started to enjoy the moment.
3. Explored (Even When Plans Fell Through)
I had planned to visit a local spice shop, but when I got there, it was closed.
And honestly?
That was okay.
I just kept walking, relistening to one of my favorite albums,
letting the day unfold without a schedule.
Eventually, I made my way back home as the sun started to set,
feeling completely at peace.
Final Thoughts
It wasn’t the most exciting day.
It wasn’t extravagant or life-changing.
But it was real.
And it reminded me that you don’t have to wait for someone else to make life feel special.
You can create those moments for yourself.
So here’s your reminder,
Take yourself out,
walk somewhere new,
do something a little out of your comfort zone.
Because growth doesn’t always come in big milestones.
Sometimes, it’s just one small, quiet step toward the kind of life you actually want to live.