When it comes to carving out time for ourselves or our partner, we often get stuck on step one: making a plan. We get it – your days are long, you’re stressed out, you don’t have time and well, with everything else going on, dates just aren’t really on the top of your to-do list. But luckily, a social media trend has come around to help you with that first, arduous step. Enter: the Alphabet Date Challenge.
It’s a trend that actually encourages us to put our phones down and plan something fun, unique and out of the ordinary. Plus, as a bonus, you get to tick off a few bucket list items along the way. It’s all part of the bigger picture; romanticising your life. And while that’s a phrase you may have come across during your daily scroll, you’d be forgiven if you don’t actually know what it means or where to even start. You can start with this other well-known phrase: “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Basically, in order to be present and go about romanticising your life, you actually need to plan. And the Alphabet Date Challenge is here to help you do exactly that.
What Is The Alphabet Date Challenge?
The concept is simple but brilliantly fun: each date revolves around a letter of the alphabet, setting the theme for your activity, location or experience. You can take a structured approach – starting at A and working your way through to Z – or, if you prefer a more spontaneous adventure, pick a letter at random and let fate decide the plan. Need some inspiration? Check out this couple’s beautiful version of the challenge. #CoupleGoals
The Health Benefits Of Regular Dates
Turns out, dating isn’t just good for the ‘Gram; it’s good for your health too. Recent research shows that quality time with loved ones (or even yourself) boosts mental health by reducing stress, improving mood and increasing your sense of connection. Dating also encourages novelty and adventure – two key ingredients for maintaining a healthy relationship (or nurturing self-love). Plus, the anticipation of a planned activity can lift your spirits and give you something positive to look forward to.
A-Z Date Challenge Ideas:
Here are some ideas to get your inspired for your next date with your partner, your friends, your family members or maybe even yourself (did someone say solo date?).
A – Acrobranching, art class, arcade night
B – Brunch, book shopping, bowling
C – City sightseeing, cooking a new recipe, camping
D – Drive-in movie, deep-sea diving, dance class
E – Escape rooms, elegant dinner, explore a new neighbourhood
F – Flower picking, farmers market, fondue night
G – Go-karting, game night, glamping
H – Hiking, hot yoga, hot air balloon ride
I – Ice skating, ice cream tasting, Italian dining
J – Jacuzzi night, juice bar crawl, junk food dinner
K – Karaoke, kayaking, kite surfing
L – Live concert, laser tag, luxury lunch
M – Margarita night, mini golf, museum visit, murder mystery dinner
N – Netflix marathon, nature walk, night market
O – Olive oil tasting, online mixology class, observatory visit
P – Padel, pottery class, picnic, poker night
Q – Quiz night
R – Rock climbing, road trip, river rafting
S – Spa day, sports match, salsa dance lesson
T – Tea party, theme park, train ride, trampoline park
U – Unplugged evening, unwind at a hotel
V – Volunteer, vineyard visit, video game night
W – Wine tasting, watch the sunrise, workout
X – X-treme sports (skydiving, rock climbing), X-Men film marathon
Y – Yoga under the stars, yacht cruise, YES day (say yes to everything fun)
Z – Zip-lining, zoo trip, zero-spend day (explore free attractions)
