30 Things to Do by Yourself This Summer

What better way to spend a sunny day than lay by the pool, in the park, or even just in your backyard, soaking up some sunshine without interruptions? Sunbathing is the perfect thing to do alone, just remember to keep layering on your high SPF sun protection. Since you probably won't have someone nearby to help you with your back, try an aerosol spray product that can be used at any angle.

Whether you have a tiny patio, a giant backyard, or just a window box in a city apartment, investing in a few pots and some easy-care plants will make all the difference to your outside space. You don't need to be green fingered to do this. Buy hardy plants that don't need too much attention. Cacti are designed to thrive in desert conditions, so they'll definitely live through a Summer even if you forget to water them.

There is nothing quite like an edorphin-boosting workout in the great outdoors. Slip on your sneakers, head to your nearest park or outdoor space, and get that blood pumping. We've got a few tips to get you started if you're new to outdoor workouts.

So much fresh produce and so many beautiful flowers are in season in the Summer months, so make sure you check out any local farmer's markets to get the very best. If you end up buying a little more than you need, remember you can freeze or batch cook for the weeks ahead, and give flowers to friends and family (or dry them).

If you need an excuse to get active in the Summer, try an activity like geocaching, where you hunt for hidden "treasure" using coordinates. It's like a grown-up treasure hunt, and there are millions of locations around the world, all of which can be found on a free app. You could discover places you never even knew existed. Best of all, it's free: all you need is comfy footwear, your phone, and a pen!

Think books, and you probably think about curling up in front of a fire in a cozy chair on a cold day. But bookworms don't reserve their reading for Winter alone. It's just as much fun to crack open a brand new novel on vacation, or during a relaxing day in the sun — "beach reads" is practically a genre in itself. This year's top offering will keep you occupied all Summer long!

Sure, you like your absent friend's Instagram posts, give them the thumbs up on Facebook, and occasionally jump into the group chat. But how often do you actually correspond properly and show that you care? Sending a postcard is a bit of a nostalgic novelty these days, but it's totally worth doing. Next time you're in a tourist area, grab a few and spend an afternoon writing to friends who you don't see very often. If you're lucky, maybe you'll get a few back!

Most of us know how to do a basic three-strand braid, but what about french braids, dutch braids, waterfall braids, and fishtail braids? If you've got long hair and can master these tricky styles on yourself, your Summer hair game will be on point. It won't be long until your friends are lining up for their own chic style.

Why wait until your vacation to swim? Whether you head to the local pool, take a trip to the beach, or opt for wild swimming in a lake or river, it's time to don that swimsuit and hit the water.

Organizing and tidying may be more synonymous with Spring, but Summer is actually a great time to get organized. Anything you decide to get rid of can go straight in a Summer yard sale.

With all of Summer's fresh produce, it's the perfect time to get cooking, so challenge yourself to tackle the one dish you've always dreamed of making. It could be a classic roast chicken, a pie or cake, or pasta made from scratch. It might take a few tries to get it right, but once you've mastered it, you have the perfect excuse to host a dinner party and get all your loved ones together.

If you can afford to treat yourself, a spa day is a brilliant way to enjoy a little me-time, but you don't need stacks of cash to have a pamper day at home. All you really need are a few essentials: a hair mask or deep conditioner, a face mask, a body scrub and body lotion, your usual skincare products, plus nail polish and a manicure set. Treat yourself from top to toe, taking your time to let everything work its magic.

If you're feeling crafty, you can make your own beauty products using ingredients from your pantry.

The long Summer days are perfect for outdoor photography, so grab your camera and get snapping. If you've got skills, you may be able to turn a profit from your work by selling them to a stock image provider like Alamy or Adobe Stock.

Where better to share all those photos you've taken, recipes you've learned, and beauty hacks you've mastered? Starting a blog is easier than you think. It's free to set up a blog on Wordpress, and you'll need minimal tech knowledge to do so.

Museums and galleries are big, spacious, quiet, and climate-controlled. If you're looking for a way to kill time solo on a muggy day, there truly is nothing better. Most cities around the world have numerous public exhibitions taking place at any one time, and in many cases they're free to view.

Explore parts of your neighborhood that you've never been to before, and get some exercise along the way by jumping on a bike. If you've not cycled outside of the gym since you were a kid, now is the time! If you don't own a bike, most major cities have them for hire.

A wine tasting event offers so many great benefits: you'll learn a new skill, you'll meet new people, and you'll have a perfectly valid excuse to drink lots of love wine! Lots of vineyards, wine bars, and hotels host events, so there's bound to be one happening near you soon.

YouTube is full of great videos that'll teach you the basics of painting landscapes, so take advantage of good weather and indulge your artist streak. A collapsible easel can be picked up for less than $20, and paints and brushes vary depending on the type and quality, but remember that once you have your kit, you'll be set for quite some time.

There's something totally liberating about traveling alone, and a big, bustling city is perfect when you're flying solo. Book cheap flights or train tickets to somewhere you've never been before, and enjoy following nobody's schedule but your own. If you're a sociable person, book a room in a hostel where there's likely to be plenty going on, and find a walking tour to get to know the city from a local.

Many fruits come into season in the Summer months, and some farms will allow you to visit and pick your own. Not only is a lovely way to spend a warm day, you'll also have tons of fruit that can be turned into pies, preserves, smoothies and much more. The Pick Your Own website can help you find a farm near you.

Fishing is the perfect Summer activity: you get to be outside by the water, it's fairly low-impact (though your arms will get a workout if you get a bite!), and you don't need anyone else with you to enjoy it. Take a book or download a few podcasts to keep you occupied when the fish are refusing to play.

They may be a bit old-fashioned, but there's nothing quite like a classic puzzle to while away the hours. And hey, if they're good enough for Hugh Jackman, they're good enough for us! Bonus: they are always best done alone, because other people cannot be trusted to put the pieces in the right place.

So many of us make plans and tackle life challenges in January as our new year's resolution, but if they've gone unfinished and forgotten, or if your circumstances have changed, use the Summer to start over. Jot down the things you want to achieve, make a bucket list, and start ticking things off now. Why wait until next January when it cold and miserable?

There's nothing quite like shopping alone. You can spend as long as you like in each store, nobody's going to judge you on what you buy (or don't buy), and you can stop or take a break whenever you like. This time of year is great for bargain-hunters, as lots of stores have sales during the Summer months.

Not every Summer activity has to take place outdoors! Nothing is quite as relaxing on a dull or rainy day as chilling out and watching a sexy drama, a cool new release, or a truly scary horror movie.

Making your own clothes allows you to wear one-of-a-kind pieces that fit you perfectly and get people talking. Plus, learn the basics of sewing and you'll never waste money on alterations again! One of the easiest items to make when you're new to sewing is a simple gathered skirt — the ideal addition to your Summer wardrobe. A sewing machine can run to hundreds of bucks for a top-of-the-line model, but if you're just starting out, you can get one for about $70 that'll do all you need it to.

When you're on your own, there's nobody there to judge you about that camera roll containing 75 versions of the exact same picture.

There is nothing quite like treating yourself just because you can. So get off the sofa, head to your favorite ice cream parlor, and get two scoops of your favorite flavor (with sprinkles, naturally).

Don't underestimate the power of a good walk on your own. It clears your mind, it's great exercise, and it gives you a chance to explore your surroundings and enjoy the weather. If you're walking solo, stick to marked paths and known routes, and carry your phone and plenty of water.