In need of some time to yourself? Is everyone away or busy for the weekend? Or maybe you need a way to pick yourself back up with a relaxed and wistful day. Indulging in a solo date, in my opinion, is the best way to spend a day by yourself in Birmingham, all while staying relatively close to campus. 

A solo date can be a great way to… do something you have been wanting to do, without waiting for someone to do it with

 

A solo date can be a great way to increase your confidence alone, or to take the opportunity to do something you have been wanting to do, without waiting for someone to do it with. These solo dates will take you around some gems of Birmingham, with most of them being free or relatively cheap. 

 

Starting off, take yourself down to the Grounded Cafe on Bournbrook Road for a coffee, tea or hot drink of your choice. Here you will find Selly Oak’s own wellbeing cafe aimed at allowing a safe space for those to relax and take time for themself. It also has funding from the NHS, hosting workshops and one-to-one therapy sessions for those seeking help. But it is also just a great spot to grab yourself a coffee and snack, and read a book for a slow morning on your solo date.

take an autumnal walk down to Winterbourne Gardens

 

Next take an autumnal walk down to Winterbourne Gardens where, with your student ID card, you can enter for free. This is a beautiful spot all times of the year, but especially in the autumn where the colours of the trees and the bridge overlooking the water really come into their own. Take a leisurely stroll around, maybe listen to some music of your choosing and forget about what has been bothering you throughout the week – I promise it will feel like you are nowhere near the city. I would also recommend popping into the gift shop for a browse and window shop at the end. 

Going into a bookshop is my favourite way to soothe the nervous system

 

Take a 30 minute walk down to Harborne (really getting your steps in here), for a very chill high street experience but still low stress compared to the craziness of the Bullring. This is a great area to feel like you are still close to campus, but away from the major student areas. I start at the top of Harborne at Oxfam, and work my way down hitting all the charity shops. There are usually some gems in here if you look hard enough, and it’s a great way to fulfil a shopping craving while spending very little, and of course donating to charity. While you are making your way down, stop in Waterstones for a book browse. Going into a bookshop is my favourite way to soothe the nervous system, and add to my already massive to-read list. Why not also let the wind blow you into the M&S foodhall and get yourself a sweet treat. 

 

If that is enough for you, that is a great place to end the solo date and walk, or get the bus home hopefully feeling much more peaceful and confident in your ability to spend time with yourself. But if you have more solo-dating in you, here are some other recommendations I have. 

 

Firstly, visit the Barber Institute of Fine Art, and wander around listening to a favourite playlist, admiring all the incredible art that it has to offer. If you love a museum or gallery moment, then this is a great free thing to do on campus which will entertain the creative and romanticising parts of your brain. 

 

Alternatively you could head to the Mockingbird Cinema in the Custard Factory for a film of your choice. This is a cool independent cinema showing almost exclusively halloween films right now. They also do collaborations with companies, including activities such as film with wine nights, which could be a great end to your solo date. While you are in Digbeth, you should also take a look through the Redbrick Market where small independent businesses have semi-permanent stalls with items varying from clothes, to posters, to jewellery, house decor and beyond. A great place to find something unique for yourself or your room. 

University is a great time in your life to get to know yourself better and excel in your independence

 

This concludes my solo date, doing all of this of course would give you a jam-packed day, but you could mix and match whatever seems appealing, or have several solo dates choosing one of these as the core activity for each of them. Solo dates have increased my confidence doing activities alone, and taking time for myself that is not just watching TV or doom-scrolling on my phone. University is a great time in your life to get to know yourself better and excel in your independence, so I would strongly recommend giving this a go. 

 

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For more comment articles on student life:

Should students have part-time jobs?

The perfect journal does not exist

Balancing Work and Wellbeing during the Holidays