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Be your own BFF and enjoy a Friday night flying solo
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It’s nearly Friday night, and you don’t have any plans with your friends—but that doesn’t mean your night is destined to be a drag! You might be used to spending Fridays with your besties, family, or significant other, but a Friday night alone can be a great chance to spend quality time with yourself and relax a little. Plus, you’re not alone—plenty of people spend Friday nights alone and manage to have fun doing it. Read on for a handy list of activities you can do by yourself on Friday to banish the boredom and have a super entertaining night.

1

Cook a gourmet meal from scratch.

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  1. Is there a recipe or a type of food you’ve been dying to try lately? Seize the day and give it a shot! Choose a recipe to make for dinner and gather all the ingredients—you might have everything or a trip to the grocery store might be in order. Whip up dinner for yourself and enjoy the taste of a gourmet home-cooked meal.[1]
    • Have some fun with it! Play your favorite tunes while you cook and sing along to pass the time—nobody’s there to judge you if you dance around your kitchen a little.
    • Make the meal feel extra special by prepping (or buying) a delicious side and having one of your favorite drinks with dinner.
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2

Binge a TV show.

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  1. What’s wrong with a night of binge-watching? Absolutely nothing! If work or your social life keeps you busy, it’s easy to fall behind on all the programs you’ve been meaning to watch—so spend the night watching your TV show of choice. It can be really nice to watch whatever you want without having to take someone else’s preferences into account.[2]
    • Alternatively, have a movie marathon! Play a few movies you’ve been dying to see, or have a nostalgia night and play all of your favorite feel-good movies from over the years.
3

Have an at-home spa night.

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  1. You deserve some peace and comfort, so why not create a spa night for yourself? Take a luxurious bath (complete with a bath bomb, bubbles, or essential oils), light some scented candles, and apply face and hair masks. A makeshift spa can be an amazing way to de-stress, helping you feel rejuvenated for the weekend (and week) ahead.[3]
    • Make the spa night extra special with a glass of wine and a good book while you soak in the tub.
    • Give yourself a mani-pedi after the bath if you want your nails to look a little fancy too.
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4

Call a friend or family member.

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  1. Just because you don’t have plans with anyone on Friday night, doesn’t mean one of your friends or family members isn’t available for a chat. Call up someone you care about but haven’t really spoken to in a while—or, alternatively, give your BFF or your parents a buzz. Staying in touch is super important for your relationships, especially if you have a busy work life![4]
    • Making a Friday night phone call is a super simple (but effective) way to reconnect with friends you don’t see often and let them know you still care.
    • Or, if you and your bestie have been busy lately, then a Friday night alone can be a golden opportunity to shoot them a friendly “What’s up with you? Got time for a call?” text so you can catch up.
Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Should I Do?

Not sure how to cure a case of boredom? Being bored can drain your energy and bring down your mood, which is why we’re here to help you out—and hopefully make your day a little more interesting. We’ve prepared a handy quiz to help you narrow down that list of activities and find a fun pastime that you’ll truly enjoy!
1 of 14

Who do you spend the most time with?

6

Learn something new.

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  1. Is there a skill you’ve always wanted to learn but never seemed to have the time? Well, there’s no time like the present! Find an online class or tutorial that aligns with your interests, from skills like knitting and drawing to playing musical instruments. When you’re alone on a Friday night, expand your knowledge and upgrade your skills.
    • Platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, and MasterClass have a ton of courses for you to take.
    • YouTube also has plenty of video tutorials that are free to watch.
    • Other specialized platforms and apps can teach you things, too. For example, if you want to learn a new language, Duolingo is a great resource!
7

Make some home improvements.

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  1. Spend some time making your home look the absolute best it can be! Throw away things you don’t need or, if possible, donate them to declutter. Organize any areas that don't have a lot of structure currently. And, if there’s a room in your house that you’ve been dreaming of redecorating, go for it. Reorganize the furniture, and do some online shopping for decor.
    • For example, if your kitchen pantry has no organization whatsoever, or your office space is overflowing with papers and folders, come up with an organizational system for them!
    • If your bedroom’s layout feels a little stale, move around the big furniture pieces, like your bed, bookshelves, and dressers (if you have them). Then, head to your favorite online store and find a new accessory or two to give your room a brand-new vibe.
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8

Read a book.

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  1. Do you have a list of unread books at home? Get started on it! Grab a book from your bookshelf or pull up a book on an e-reader platform like Kindle and Google iBooks. Find the comfiest reading spot in your home and spend your evening in a book, enjoying a whole new world created by the author. It’s a great way to fight off any loneliness you might be feeling.[5]
    • Pay a visit to your local library and peruse the reading options there if you don’t currently have a book you’ve been meaning to read at home.
    • You definitely don’t have to read a novel if there’s something else more interesting to you. Pick up a comic book, graphic novel, or magazine instead! Anything that suits your interests is the perfect reading material.
9

Do some exercise.

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  1. Working out can help you stay fit, and it's also a fantastic mood booster—the endorphins you get from exercise can help you feel happier! So, if you’re feeling a little bored or lonely on a Friday night, put on your exercise clothes and get your blood pumping with the workout of your choice.[6]
    • Play some music while you exercise; it can help to put an extra spring in your step!
    • Head to the gym to use machines like a treadmill or elliptical (or if the gym offers a class you’d like to take, like Zumba or indoor cycling).
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10

Go out to your favorite restaurant.

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  1. The most important thing to remember is that you should never feel awkward about eating alone! It’s not unheard of, and nobody will judge you for it—least of all the staff at the restaurant. Taking yourself on solo “dates” can be a really nice way to pamper yourself, so don’t be afraid to hit up your favorite restaurant alone and have a delicious meal.[7]
    • Bring a book or a notebook to scribble your thoughts in if you need something to do while you eat. Otherwise, simply make sure you have your smartphone and stream funny videos while eating.
13

Plan a weekend getaway.

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  1. Ready for a whirlwind adventure? Then spend the evening planning a quick getaway for the rest of your weekend (or, if the current weekend is busy, plan for a different one in the near future). Pick a travel spot that isn’t too far away—ideally, one you can drive to fairly easily—and explore the area's hotels, food, and activities. Put together an itinerary for yourself, and when you’re ready, start booking your trip!
    • Traveling solo can be really fun! It gives you a chance to do all the things you want to do and meet new people who are touring the area just like you.
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14

Mix a fancy cocktail.

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  1. It’s Friday night, your week is finally winding down, so why not celebrate with a cocktail? Use whatever ingredients you have at home, or head to the liquor store for whatever supplies you need to make your favorite drink. Mix the cocktail at home, and enjoy it with dinner or dessert, or sip on it while you do another activity (like reading or watching a show).
    • Are you a fan of classic cocktails? Try making a mojito or mixing up a margarita.
    • If you’re feeling bold, try creating your own basic cocktail instead!
    • If you don’t drink, you can still enjoy a fancy mocktail and get the satisfying taste without any alcohol.
18

Write in a journal.

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19

Take a walk outside.

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  1. Simple though it may sound, taking a walk can be a great way to unwind, enjoy the scenery, breathe the fresh air, and get some non-strenuous exercise at the same time. Put on your comfiest walking shoes and head outside! Then, just walk around your neighborhood and take in the sights as you go.
    • Bring your phone and listen to music or a podcast while walking.
    • Remember to steer clear of dangerous areas at night. Be aware of your surroundings, and don’t stay out too late if you feel unsafe.
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Join the Discussion...

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Susan Pazak, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Professional Life Coach
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can you be more content spending time alone?
    Nora Oliver
    Nora Oliver
    Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker
    Nora Oliver is a Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker based in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2021 Nora started her own coaching business, 10X Nora Oliver, where she offers corporate wellness, divorce, pre-marital, and individual coaching programs, specializing in helping others discover who they are and how they want to live their lives. She is certified in Life Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, and Mindset and Forgiveness. Nora is the author of I Needed a Hero so I Became One and Mental Health Nutrition. Nora has her own local TV show which focuses on offering guidance & support to her audience on mental health. Nora was selected as Business of the Month by the Woburn Chamber of Commerce and Best Life Coach of the Year 2022. Nora has been featured in multiple media outlets such as Small Business Congress in Washington D.C., Channel 5 (WCVB), Daily Times Chronicle, Entrepreneur Modul, Fashion Show Host, Behind Bodybuilders, Disrupt Magazine, etc.
    Nora Oliver
    Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker
    Expert Answer
    I highly recommend everybody take a mental and emotional break every single day, a few times a day. Without distractions, we need to have those little breaks — the emotional breaks and mental breaks — especially to function as well as a human being needs to function. This means shutting down our body and our mind. When you do this, you realize that you are more content, happier, and more relaxed.
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Tips

  • If you have a hard time spending a night by yourself, try taking a minute at least every 90 minutes to not do anything. Don't think, don't talk to anybody and avoid all distractions. Just sit in a room quietly with your eyes closed and don't think about anything. With time, you will learn to appreciate these mental and emotional breaks, learning to love to spend time by yourself.
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about coping with boredom, check out our in-depth interview with Nora Oliver.

About This Article

Nora Oliver
Co-authored by:
Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker
This article was co-authored by Nora Oliver and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Nora Oliver is a Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker based in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2021 Nora started her own coaching business, 10X Nora Oliver, where she offers corporate wellness, divorce, pre-marital, and individual coaching programs, specializing in helping others discover who they are and how they want to live their lives. She is certified in Life Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, and Mindset and Forgiveness. Nora is the author of I Needed a Hero so I Became One and Mental Health Nutrition. Nora has her own local TV show which focuses on offering guidance & support to her audience on mental health. Nora was selected as Business of the Month by the Woburn Chamber of Commerce and Best Life Coach of the Year 2022. Nora has been featured in multiple media outlets such as Small Business Congress in Washington D.C., Channel 5 (WCVB), Daily Times Chronicle, Entrepreneur Modul, Fashion Show Host, Behind Bodybuilders, Disrupt Magazine, etc. This article has been viewed 33,281 times.
5 votes - 44%
Co-authors: 5
Updated: March 18, 2024
Views: 33,281
Categories: Coping with Boredom
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 33,281 times.

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