9 Creative Ways To Be Happy & Confident When You're Single

Being single doesn't have to be lonely. After being in a relationship or if you've been riding solo for some time, learning to be happily single is one of the best things you'll ever do.

We are all single at one point or another. It's important to realize that being alone doesn't necessarily mean you have to be lonely and miserable. It isn't the end of the world! Sure, you want a partner, but for now, focus on being the best version of yourself you can be and everything will fall into place.

After a relationships ends, you might feel out of your element being a single woman again. Breakups are more devastating than some people give them credit for and it''s not easy to get back into the routine of being single. The sting of a breakup certainly taints the potential of a happy single life.

Or maybe you’ve been single all along wishing for someone to sweep you off your feet and put you out of your singlehood misery. Whatever the circumstance, being single doesn't have to suck. In fact, your single days can lead to personal growth, self-love, and some of the most memorable times of your life.

Despite the fact that you might feel hopelessly lonely or purposeless at first, I’ve got good news for you. There are endless ways to learn to be happy as an independent, single woman! Before you know it, you’ll be thriving again.

Being happy as a single woman is essential to your well-being. It is important to focus on yourself and your personal growth while being single for awhile. Soon, when you’re not even thinking about it anymore, another special person may come along again and love the ‘you’ that you’ve grown into. Until then, get out there, make new friends, try new things and thrive in a special relationship with yourself!

Here are 9 creative ways to put yourself back on your feet and feel like yourself when you're single.

1. Spend some time alone.

This one will be particularly difficult at first. Being alone is likely unusual for you if the relationship wasn’t long-distance, so it feels unnatural and you might feel like you have too much on your mind. You’ll need your girlfriends around to comfort and distract you at first. A few weeks to a month later, however, try keeping your own company.

One easy activity to start with is going to see a movie. You’ll be by yourself, but you won’t feel so alone with your thoughts. Soon, you will find yourself doing other things alone — and loving it. After a while, you’ll come to enjoy this alone time.

2. Spend quality time with your girlfriends.

Making time for your friends is equally as important as becoming comfortable during your time alone. Your girlfriends know how to lift you up, make you laugh, and cry with you better than anyone else. After losing someone who made you feel loved, it’s essential to surround yourself with the friends who love you platonically and unconditionally. They'll keep you occupied and remind you that you are amazing, single and all.

3. Look your best.

You’ve heard the “look good, feel good” mantra. It’s cliche, but it really works!

Take some time every day to shower, put on makeup, do your hair and pick out a cute outfit (or any combination of those if you don’t have much time) and you’ll leave the house with your confidence. A huge component of the post-breakup period is regaining your confidence, and this is a key step. Make a drastic change to your look that you might not have considered while in a relationship. Cut your hair off, save up for a tattoo or get a new piercing to keep things fresh!

Keep in mind that this step should be for you and only you, not to try and impress your ex into getting back together or for catching a rebound date.

4. Make an effort to be healthy.

Performing this step well will leave you feeling great in multiple ways. If your diet is less-than-perfect, try cutting carbs or sugars in order to slim down and have more natural energy (or at least feel less bloated). Consider signing up for a gym membership if you don’t already have one, or start exercising daily by running, playing a sport, swimming or any other physical activity that you enjoy. The endorphin release associated with your workout will leave you with a glowing mood and soon you’ll be looking and feeling your best.

5. Get out of town.

Sometimes a change of scenery is all that you need to change your perception of your circumstances. Gather your friends (or go it alone, if you’re comfortable) and plan a camping trip, a day trip, a weekend getaway or a spontaneous flight to another city. Get out there, appreciate new sights and try new things. When you come back, you might feel more excited for future getaways and less focused on the past. If you make these regular, you’ll have something to look forward to and a whole stockpile of great new memories.

6. Dive into new hobbies and friend groups.

Are you a member of any clubs? If not, maybe you should join one. You can sign up for local groups and events based on your current interests or try something brand new. You might find your true hidden passion, a new friend or a new relationship (even though that last one isn’t the goal here). Either way, you’ll certainly have something new to occupy your time and you can fulfill yourself with new ideas and creations.

7. Create something new and personal.

Similar to number 6, creating things is an easy mood-changer. Is writing your forte? Write a poem or song about how you are feeling. Do you enjoy painting? Release your negativity by creating a splatter painting and getting messy. If you’re into drawing, draw a life-sized self-portrait of a happy ‘you’ that you can admire and try to emulate. Whatever creative outlet you choose, allow yourself to indulge freely and express your feelings.

8. Throw yourself a pity party.

You don’t have to hold those tears back at all times, feel free to let them out once in awhile. If you’re really extra, take that euphemism literally and throw an actual “pity party!” You and your friends can drink wine, eat pizza and open up about feelings. It’s a great chance to flush yourself of any pervasive thoughts that you’re having regarding the breakup.

But remember not to let the pity party last too long or else you'll become stuck there. Let it all out and then move forwad.

9. Treat yourself.

Treat yourself! Try not to go overboard, though. I’m not telling you to go into credit card debt with lavish new clothes, jewelry and cars. However, you can spend what you used to spend on your significant other, on yourself. If you used to take him or her to dinner once a week, buy yourself a new top with that money. If you bought him or her a gift close to the end, take it back to the store and exchange it for something you’ve had your eye on. Or just allow yourself that pint of ice cream that you pass up every time you shop for groceries (little things count, too). If you’re short on cash, the least you can do is treat yourself to a daily compliment.

Emily Van Devender is a writer and Colorado native who writes about pop culture, news and relationship advice. She is interested in politics, feminism, and psychology and enjoys photography and outdoor activities in her spare time.