Dating Yourself and Solo Long-Term Projects

In this commitment to dating myself, I have won some and I have lost some. And, honestly, it has been a little more difficult than I originally thought. The main difficulty, and most exciting learning experience, has been the push and pull of what once worked for me, in terms of providing fulfillment as well as entertainment, and what does now. And, a big hint, in the past, I never really needed to be as fulfilled as I was entertained.

This has led me to some unconventional approaches to finding fulfillment, and as it happens, searching for a newbie, reminded me of an oldie but goodie:

The Long-Term Solo Project

If you really want to learn a bit about yourself, what you are made of, and feel an extreme amount of success and accomplishment, I would recommend that you embark on a long-term solo project. This can be physical – like running a half or full marathon or competing in a fitness competition. The time spent pushing the body beyond your perceived physical limits is an eye-opening master’s program in self love – with the body transformation serving as a bonus.  

The first creative project that I ever entered into on my own was to renovate my first condominium. I was 25 and fueled by Starbucks, audiobooks (great backdrops for menial physical activity and long drives), and dreams of HGTV glory.  

There was only one problem: I had no idea what I was doing.  

About halfway through, I was crying to a friend about yet another mistake that I had made (it had something to do with toilets, plumbing, and flooding the super sweet and understanding neighbor below me). My friend said, “Sounds like the Money Pit.” “The what?” I asked. “The Money Pit. You know, the 80s Tom Hanks and Shelley Long movie about that couple who decides to renovate an old house and all hell breaks loose.”  

I immediately went to Blockbusters and rented the DVD – and proceeded to laugh my ass off for the next two hours. I was living in a modern-day Money Pit. But then, the most interesting thing happened, I sat at my computer and begin to write about my personal experience renovating.  

That became my first script, Shaky Foundations, and that script got me into my first screenwriting fellowship, in many ways launched my writing career, and provided the groundwork for my move to London many moons later.    

Because of that script, the education from that first fellowship program, and subsequent writing projects – when I wanted to live in London (a move inspired by instinct and heart, more than a desire to get my education there), I was able to also indulge in my passion for writing by getting accepted to the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Master’s program.  

So now, as I date myself, I look to the past to enhance my future. What will today’s long term solo project be? I haven’t decided yet. But whatever it is, if the past gives any clues, it will be fun, challenging, educational, and rewarding beyond my current ability to imagine.  

And that sounds like an awesome date.    

Click Below for Additional Articles in HOW TO DATE YOURSELF:

How to Date Yourself

The 3 Simple (but Necessary) Rules to Dating Yourself

How to Date Yourself: 4 Beginner’s Rules to Vacationing Alone

The 1 Essential Rule to Dating Yourself