Solo Date Ideas Inspired by Studio Ghibli
I have a list in my journal entitled Recipes for the Soul to which I refer back whenever I’m feeling blue and in need of some gentle rejuvenation. It has a list of foods I like, solo activities I can enjoy on my own, and comfort movies. And of course, many of those movies are from the Japanese animation production company, Studio Ghibli. Here are five solo date ideas with snack pairings inspired by five of my favourite movies that have gotten me through some tough times.
1. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Snack: Cucumber and watermelon salad with lemonade
Read: Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield
Listen to: Speak Now by Taylor Swift
Activity: Get crafty! Make a scrapbook, start a new crochet project, try your hand at macrame or embroidery. As for me, I will be making friendship bracelets.
2. Ponyo
Snack: Charcuterie and iced tea
Read: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
Activity: Spend time by the waterfront. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the ocean, a lake, a river, a pond, or even a marsh. Walk the trail and enjoy the scenery. Bring a blanket and settle by the water’s edge. Maybe even dip your feet in! Say hello to the fishes.
3. From Up on Poppy Hill
Snack: Yogurt parfait and hot chocolate
Listen to: Drop Cherries by Billie Marten
Activity: Visit a museum or art gallery and get lost in the history of the exhibits.
4. Howl’s Moving Castle
Snack: Soft gingerbread cookies with lemon & ginger herbal tea
Listen to: The Gods We Can Touch by AURORA
Activity: Spend the afternoon doing sudoku puzzles, wordsearches or crossword puzzles (the old fashion way with pen and paper).
5. The Secret World of Arrietty
Snack: Apple oatmeal muffins with spiced apple herbal tea
Read: The obvious choice would be to read The Borrowers series by Mary Norton, upon which the movie is based, but since I’ve never read them myself, I don’t feel comfortable recommending them. I can, however, with great confidence recommend The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame instead.
Activity: The obvious choice here would be to play with miniatures, but unless minis is already a hobby, that could get expensive. Alternatively, go sit under a giant tree and forest bathe.
