How to Enjoy Being Single After a Breakup: 14 Ways to Thrive and Move On

Co-authored by Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: February 4, 2023 References

Breakups aren’t the end of your life; they’re the start of a new beginning. Society tends to prioritize being in a relationship, but we’re here to tell you that there’s no shame in being single. The single life can be just as fun, if not better! This time in your life is all about finding yourself and reconnecting with what matters most. You’re one extraordinary person, and because you deserve to be happy regardless of your relationship status, we’ve compiled a list of how you can enjoy being single after a breakup.

1

Spend quality time with yourself.

In the end, your relationship with yourself is what matters most. It can be difficult transitioning from being around someone 24/7 to being by yourself, but don’t get discouraged. With time, you can learn to cherish your time alone.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Expert Interview. 19 January 2021.} Stay at home curled up with a book, or take yourself out on a solo adventure to the park. Spending time with yourself can help boost your self-confidence and give you the chance to enjoy life on your own terms.^{[2]
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- Take yourself out to eat, grabbing a table for one at your favorite restaurant.
- See a new movie by yourself, getting a popcorn bucket just for you.
- Roam around an art museum on a self-guided tour.

2

Do what makes you feel good.

The best part about being single is that there’s more time for you. Don’t be afraid to pamper yourself right after a breakup. You’ve been through a lot; you’re starting a new chapter of your life—you deserve a little TLC! Some self-care can go a long way, so make time each day to do something special for yourself.^{[3]
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HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
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- Draw a bubble bath after a long day at work and soak in a bath by candlelight to unwind.
- Buy your favorite pint of ice cream and pop in a good movie for a cozy night in.
- Go to bed early and turn off that alarm to give your body some rest.

3

Explore a new hobby.

Give yourself something to look forward to each day. A new hobby or activity can keep you moving and excited while you’re single. You don’t have to stop exploring because you're single. If anything, now is the perfect time to find yourself!^{[4]
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- Go to a bookstore and pick up a new book.
- Try a long-term craft project like crocheting, painting, or diamond painting.
- Sign up for a fitness or dance class you’ve never tried before.

4

Express your creativity through art.

The single life is all about self-expression. This is a time for you to explore who and what you are. The arts are a great way for you to take a deep dive into your soul, putting what’s inside out into the world. You can start up a new craft, try your hand at painting, or give playing an instrument a go. Try not to think about the end product, but the joy doing the activity brings.^{[5]
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- Create a vision board that’ll help you manifest your dreams.
- Roam around a local craft store and pick up whatever catches your eye.
- Start a journal and write your thoughts in the form of poems, doodles, or prose.

5

Treat yourself.

You don’t need to be in a relationship to feel special. Go out and buy yourself flowers, take yourself out to a fancy restaurant all dressed up, or buy yourself something nice. There’s no rule saying you can’t be your own soulmate! You’re amazing, and it’s time you start treating yourself the way you want to be treated.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
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6

Go out and socialize.

Be proud that you’re single and ready to mingle. One of the many great things about being single is that there’s no one holding you back—that is, except yourself. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and start socializing! You never know who you’ll meet, so say “hello” to the barista at the coffee shop you frequent or go out on the town and chat with whoever you bump into. You may find a new friend or even someone special.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you’re not ready to mingle just yet, that’s okay! The single life is all about you, so go at your own pace and do what you feel is right.

7

Travel somewhere new.

A solo adventure can be the start of a whole new you. Is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to go? Take charge of your newly found independence and go wherever your heart wants. Maybe this is another country or a nearby hidden nature spot. You don’t need to travel far to find something new.^{[8]
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- Go on a solo camping trip to reconnect with nature and spend time with yourself.
- Take a drive to a nearby city and spend a few nights in a hotel to unwind in a familiar but new place.
- Book a vacation to another country and immerse yourself in different cultures.

8

Spend time with friends and family.

You don’t need to go through this alone. Coming out of a relationship is a hard transition. The single world can seem scary at first, but there are so many people who will be there to support you.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Expert Interview. 19 January 2021.} As a newly single person, you probably have more time on your hands to spend with others, so take advantage of it! Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while, or visit a distant relative.^{[10]
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HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}

9

Get moving to boost your confidence.

Moving your body is a great way to celebrate you. You don’t need to join a fancy gym or start an extensive workout plan to start a daily exercise routine. All you have to do is get up and move! A little bit of movement each day can help boost your confidence and make you feel fantastic.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Expert Interview. 19 January 2021.}
- Take yourself on a walk around the block.
- Hike a local trail to a peaceful picnic spot.
- Throw yourself a dance party while you cook dinner.

10

Stick to a routine.

Putting the change in your hands can help you feel in control. After a breakup, it’s easy to feel like the whole world is against you. But you can take back your happiness with a little bit of structure. Keep living life and try a new routine that helps your mind stay off your ex. Wake up an hour earlier, sign up for weekly gym classes, or schedule weekly chats with friends.^{[12]
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- Try your best to stick to your new routine. Consistency can help you feel fulfilled and give you a sense of peace.
- Keep a calendar of your new schedule to help you stay on track.
- There’s no need to jam-pack your schedule right away! Take things slowly, adding on a new activity when it feels right.

11

Take a break from social media.

Mute those notifications to give yourself a clean start. It can be tempting to keep scrolling after a breakup, but the joys of the single life won’t all be found online. Set down your phone and experience what real life has to offer. Find what satisfies you so you can fulfill all your needs.^{[13]
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- Block out a time in the day to go on social media.
- If you start to feel down while scrolling through other people’s posts, log off for the day.
- You and your life are amazing no matter your relationship status, so try not to compare yourself to others.

12

Define your values and goals.

Creating a list of goals can help you move on. Think about what’s important to you in life. This could include exercise, hobbies, career, friendships, and family. Now, make a pie chart that includes these things, and section them off by how important they are. For example, if you want to focus 50% of your life on family, you would color in half of the circle and divide the other half amongst your other values. This activity can help you make a plan for what you want and need in life to be happy.^{[14]
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- When you look at this pie chart, think of how you want to show up to each of these values rather than what you want in them.

13

Do some soul searching.

Find your purpose to get the most out of being single. Take this time while single to fully explore who you are as an individual. One of the many great things about being single is the independence. You must empower yourself, but how can you do that if you don’t know who you are?^{[15]
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Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Expert Interview. 19 January 2021.} Get to know yourself with some of these questions:^{[16]
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- “What do I want my life to stand for?”
- “If I only had a month to live, what would I do?”
- “What is something I’m really proud of?”

14

Go no contact with your ex.

Keeping distant after a breakup can help you enjoy being single. It can be hard to adjust to your new life if you’re constantly thinking or worrying about your ex. Let them know you want to have some space for a while by going no contact. This will give you time to heal and take hold of your new independence.^{[17]
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- Mute your ex’s social media accounts to keep them off your feed for a while.