Spring isn't just about new beginnings — it's about cancelling on the rebound who love-bombed you into kissing him even though he's a 2/10 and you're an 11.
Whether you're single by choice, accident, or divine intervention, this is your sign to enter your Single Girl Spring with (cringe with me now) main character energy. Not the 'clean girl', Hailey Bieber kind – I mean the SJP, cigarette-on-a-fire-escape kind.
Nothing says single girl era like getting out on the town, so here's seven things to do in Vancouver this spring that will have you embracing the solo lifestyle.
Throw a Coyote Ugly girl's night and ride the bull at the Yale Saloon
If this one seems suggestive, that's because it is.
There is nothing that's more empowering than getting to prance around in public in a pair of on-trend micro shorts you got during a round of drunk online shopping from Shein.
Bring your digital camera, play pool, get hit on, and then, like a true hot girl — get a round of free drinks for your friends and then ghost the poor guy. He'll be OK. He's been at the same spot at the bar all night long. Another flock will come, and he will be ready for them when they do.
Secret Tip: If you're daring enough, find the manager and tell her I sent you and that it's her duty to give you a free tequila shot (that manager is my sister).
Go to Magnolia Flower Market in Kits and style your own bouquet
We don't have Trader Joe's so when it comes to the floral market it's slim pickings, but my beautiful and savvy mother has been going to this flower market (and convenient store) in Kits for years. One of the greatest joys of my single girl life has been cosplaying as a Pinterest trad-wife for an afternoon and playing around with mismatched floral stems to make a perfect little arrangement for my kitchen table.
If you give it a go and end up with the most busted-looking arrangement, just tell everyone it's 'avant-garde'. Or, if you don't have the energy to commit to making a whole arrangement, get a floppy bunch of tulips, put them in a vase, and tell your friends it's 'European'.
Stong's Market in Dunbar also has gorgeous options at really competitive prices. Right now, they are really having a pink moment in the flower department.
Hit the photo booth at The American
As someone who has a custom maps guide featuring every photo booth that's still standing in the greater metro area — you can trust me on this one. The booth at The American is one of my faves (honourable mention: the booth at Hero's Welcome on Main St.).
Is it sepia? No. Is it black and white? Nope. But who cares – it's real film!
In 50 years time, your granddaughter will be going through your old photos when suddenly she will stumble upon this photo booth strip and say "omg you were really hot," and then she'll post it on her story (yes, that will still be a thing) and then she'll get DM slides asking for your number.
Take yourself out for a solo dinner at Ask For Luigi (and order the pasta special)
I am constantly plugging Ask for Luigi, but only because I truly really love it there.
There's something about that little yellow heritage house tucked away on Gore St. that just feels like a different time and place. One of my oldest and most cherished rituals was when I would come home from university, and the first thing I would do was take myself out for a special solo dinner at Luigi's.
I have always relished a solo dinner: Glass of red, my 'thought daughter' literature in tow, with a plate of 16-hour braised ragu on the way? I mean ya babe, that's it.
Bonus points if you book on a Tuesday. I love a random mid-week dine. It's always better.
Get an iced coffee and go thrifting on Main
Iced coffee is just for the girls. Not the guys. I mean it ladies, and, if he's wearing Carhartt or knows what A24 is — run. We must protect our single spring peace!
Coffee: Gene Coffee Bar, Liberty Bakery + Cafe,
Thrifting: C'est La Vie. Bohemia Gallery. Mintage. Front and Company, I guess.
Spend an afternoon at Macleod's reading poetry
Ok this one is probably way too much, but if you're in the mood to cosplay 500 Days of Summer, don't get a fringe, do this instead.
Macleod's is the quaintest little bookstore that ever was. And while I'm sure, in the Vancouver used bookstore scene, Macleod's probably has a chokehold on the market, it's not a big box store, and that's what counts.
Get that one thing you've been meaning to get tailored actually tailored
You know exactly what I'm talking about. That thrifted Max Mara coat that's just a little too long in the arms. The slip dress you keep hiking up because it was almost your size.
They're collecting dust, and wasting very valuable spring cleaning space! So, take them in. Hem them. Cinch that waist. You deserve to feel good in something that actually fits you.
Single girl eras can feel like a crisis, but really, they're a rebirth. I’m not here to girlboss you away from love, and I hate when people say, "you need some time alone right now." We're never really alone. We have ourselves. We have our group chats. We have out overpriced tulips.
So yeah — get that thing tailored. Book the dinner-for-one. Romanticize the hell out of your life. You don't need a reason. You just need to spring into action (haha I love a lame pun).
The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
