“Imagine: a pottery workshop, a slow stroll along Elliot’s Beach, grabbing a nice burger, and ending the day by picking up flowers — well, for myself. It’s one of the best solo dates I have had,” says Afsheen, a 22-year-old cabin crew member of IndiGo from Chennai. Plainspeak: Planning an itinerary for yourself, just like you would for a date with someone else — except this time, it’s all about you.
But why? “Treating yourself to a quiet dinner at your favourite restaurant can be an act of self-compassion,” says Anupama Sreedhar, a Teach for India fellow in Chennai in her mid-20s. “Many dedicate their time, efforts, and space to others, but feel guilty of doing it for themselves.” Discovering needs Hanging out by yourself isn’t a Gen Z invention, but a deliberate solo date sets them apart: no longer being alone by default but a conscious call to prioritise what you enjoy.
“Sure, people have gone to movies alone in the past too, but that’s not quite what the generation is talking about,” explains Vijay Krishna, 25, a data scientist from Chennai. “It’s more about intentionally spending time with yourself to discover your likes and dislikes, without having to accommodate others’ needs or constantly waiting for others to join you in doing what you enjoy.” Ms.
Afsheen shares similar sentiment, “With the buzz of social media and my work as a flight attendant, I am always surrounded by people. So, setting time aside for myself isn’t a luxury.