Round two: affordable activities to soothe a heartbreak as a student in London

Not to quote Miley Cyrus, but buy yourself flowers – that’s what I do anyways

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You might remember that almost two years ago, I wrote one of my first articles for The Kings Tab, called Affordable activities to soothe a heartbreak as a student in London. I wrote this when I was desperately inconsolable after being dumped by my long-term boyfriend.

Fast forward two years later, I am still single. However, my singledom is one of my most prized possessions. Yes, I am a lover girl – but I am completely happy just doing me. Right now, I’m not heartbroken – just again suffering the consequences of allowing myself to be love bombed and breadcrumbed, thus falling victim to trusting anything that comes out of a man’s mouth.

So, it’s back to concentrating on me again during one of my favourite times of the year: the run up to Christmas. I am bringing to you my brand new and approved affordable ways of how be enjoy your single girl era as a student in London: Winter edition.

A few days out are very much included – you can all thank me later.

Escape the city

Now, this is meant to be an affordable guide – so I will not suggest a trip to Gatwick Airport (even though I very much would like to). Sometimes, being a girl from a little corner of the North West of England where this is nothing around, London gets overwhelming. I’m not trying to get basic here, but Richmond is where it’s at. Forget St James’ Park – do you want to be in London but not actually feel like you’re in London? Don’t sit on the district line until the very end, because if you’re like me and a North – Central girlie, that is incredibly long. If you get a national rail service from Waterloo, you can be there in 20 minutes and see some wild deer and horses. I also made friends with a Golden Retriever.

I’ve never been so reconnected with nature in one single day.

Winter Wonderland

Despite popular belief, you do NOT need a significant other to go to Winter Wonderland. In fact, for all the years I have lived in London, I have been with my friends each time.

Ok – maybe that’s a lie. I did ONCE go with a man too. He won me a penguin that sits on the shelf in my living room – but I had more fun with my friends.

You can do Winter Wonderland on the cheap too. If you just pay for the entry ticket and go ice skating – you haven’t spent more than fifteen pounds. The rides are incredibly fun too though, I still have got whiplash from me and the girls on the bumper cars last year.

I can’t wait to do it all over again.

Museum Haunts

One of the great things about living in London, is the many sites of knowledge and culture we have access to (and they’re often free!). Have I been to all of the museums in London at least twice? Yes, but they just don’t get old.

Some days I want to stimulate my brain with more than just waiting for a text back, and traipsing myself to a museum across London is the best way to get out of my own head. It’s actually a lock in session – so Do Not Disturb is required.

Girls Night In

I don’t know about you – but as a final year, I am actively choosing to stay in rather than go out. I do go out most weekends still, but no longer do I gravitate towards a midweek student night out. Now, that is healing. I love waking up and being productive: going to the gym, applying for grad jobs, doing my duties as The King’s Tab EIC, uni work – all of it.

I am therefore, a girls night in advocate. Myself and my girls worship a Marks and Spencer’s pizza deal – where you get cop two pizzas and two sides for £12. An absolute steal. We might put on a cosy film – it is Twilight season after all – or watch whatever new murder mystery documentary is on Netflix. Together we sit on the sofa with our Stanley’s and childhood teddies and think to ourselves – “this is peace and tranquillity.”

As Dolly Alderton wisely said,

“Nearly everything I know about love, I’ve learnt from my long-term friendships with women.”