Love that. Are there any common challenges people experience when they start doing this? How can we deal with them?

If you haven’t spent much time by yourself, then it is completely understandable if the idea of asking for a ‘table for one’ fills you with dread. If you’re struggling with mustering up the confidence then start slowly. Have a gorgeous evening in with yourself first, then try a day of market and bookshop-hopping with lunch on a bench. As you slowly build up your confidence, then go for the restaurant. Take a book or read on your phone while eating as training wheels that you can then let go of and be more present as time goes on. When eating alone is an ongoing part of your schedule, it will become more seamless.

If in doubt, practise some tough love by reminding yourself that no one’s looking at you and wondering why you’re by yourself. Everyone’s too busy worrying about themselves to worry about you. Live your life!

Also, self-dating is not an excuse for isolation. Community is vital for our mental health; this is simply part of a whole life that includes being with others and also being with ourselves.

How do you personally do your One Good Thing?

I’ve been self-dating for over a decade, both when I’ve been in relationships and when single. I try to switch it up as it’s part of my self-discovery process, seeing how I feel and respond to being in different situations and environments. Sometimes that looks like 10 days by myself in New York City, spending my days meditating by the river, eating bagels and going to the cinema with all my favourite sweets. Other times, it might be getting dressed up for dinner in a cute restaurant or sprawling out in a park and people-watching. What you do is not what’s important; it’s knowing that you deserve to romance yourself.

One Good Thing: why you need to date yourself