Spending New Year's Eve alone could be perfect start to your best year yet, according to expert
Spending New Year's Eve alone could be the perfect start to your best year yet, according to one expert. Scots singletons may be wishing they had someone to ring in the bells with this evening - but being on your own may be for the best.
Spending Hogmanay alone may be a daunting prospect to those who were hoping to find love in 2024, but embracing solitude on December 31 could give you the best and most empowering start to 2025.
That's what Chris Pleines, dating expert and founder of Dating Scout claims, anyway. From engagement announcements on social media to romantic gifts aplenty, Christmas and New Year can be a tough time for singles.
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Chris, however, has set out five ways to celebrate solo on New Year’s Eve – and take control of the year ahead.
1. Accept it - and plan your night
Rather than letting the evening pass you by, take the steering wheel. Write down a list of exactly how you want to usher in the new year, if that’s your thing.
Maybe you want to watch a couple of your favourite movies or take an indulgent bubble bath. If the thought of a structured routine is too stressful, write down five ideas on pieces of paper and pull one or two out of a hat on the night, to surprise yourself.
2. Date yourself
Chris believes one of the best things about being single is the opportunity to pour energy back into yourself. Romantic love starts with self love. You are your own dream date for the night - so act like it.
Put in as much effort for the night as you would if you were spending it with a romantic partner. Book your favourite restaurant, buy yourself flowers, or order in your most indulgent dessert.
Make sure you lay the table, light some candles, and put on an outfit that makes you feel special. Dressing in a way that is meaningful to you will help rewire your brain to realise that time alone is special and to be savoured.
3. Reflect on the past year and set personal goals
Chris recommends carving out space in your solo New Year’s Eve to think about the highs and lows of the past year and set some personal goals to improve your mental, physical and emotional health for 2025.
The ‘five in, five out’ method is an excellent form of goal-setting. Simply choose five things you want ‘out’ of your life next year - texting your ex or drinking that extra bottle of wine every week - and five things that you want ‘in’.
This could be going for a 15-minute walk every day, or journaling. Thinking about which toxic or harmful behaviours you want to remove from your life is much more freeing and attainable than adding a bunch of extra expectations.
4. Indulge in self-care
Commit at least part of the evening to indulging in serious self-care. Run a hot bubble bath, use your favourite moisturiser and light your most decadent candle. Put on a face mask or a foot pack, and really relax.
In deliberately taking the time to care for yourself on New Year’s Eve, you are setting a tone of self-focus and self-priority for 2025, ensuring that you intersperse much needed rest and relaxation with your ambitions for the year.
5. Make a fun-only New Year’s Resolution list
Fun New Year’s Resolutions that boost your sense of happiness are just as important as your more serious goals, and will remind you of the value of prioritising joy.
Maybe there are some movies you’ve always wanted to watch or a skill you want to master such as cooking, dancing or photography. These will boost your mental health, as well as remind you of the small joys in life.
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