Dating Yourself While Nurturing Your Creativity
By: Mayra
The work of Zinnia Navqi at the Art Gallery of Mississauga.
Healing from a breakup is not an easy hike to conquer. Anyone who has walked the painful and muddy trails of heartbreak recovery knows exactly what I’m talking about. And while I don’t want to be too cliché, it’s true—some of life’s most painful experiences hold valuable lessons. Walking those trails taught me something I will never forget: Caring for, listening to, and tending to myself and my creativity is the most precious gift I can give myself.
What started as a source of healing has now become a sacred monthly ritual, a non-negotiable for my well-being.
When I moved to Toronto, taking myself on dates also became a way to cope with homesickness. Exploring a new city was super exciting and over time, I started collecting my favourite coffee shops, second-hand bookstores, art markets, and museums.
So today, I want to invite you to start planning your own artsy self-dates (if you haven’t already!) In this blog, I’ll share some tips and some of my favourite spots so you can plan the perfect art adventure while taking advantage of student discounts.
Your own space in the calendar.
If you’re like me and tend to put more effort into planning things for others than for yourself, this is your reminder to channel that beautiful energy back into YOU.
To make self-care a habit and feed my creative energy, I dedicate one day a month to pampering myself and staying connected to cultural events around me. Creating a Google Calendar section just for this purpose helps me stay committed and ensures I plan something that excites me in advance.
💡 Tip: If you use Google Calendar, go to the desktop site, navigate to the left sidebar, and select “Create New Calendar” to set up your own artsy self-date schedule!
2. The internet is your best ally.
Koffler Arts Gallery.
When I first moved to Toronto, I had no idea what to do or where to go! So I turned to Google Maps and searched keywords like art gallery, art workshop, film screenings, etc. I created lists of places that resonated with me, like this one: Cultural Gems in Toronto.
Another tool I LOVE is Eventbrite because it allows you to filter free events and search by interests. That’s how I found these two amazing cultural spaces:
The Japan Foundation, Toronto, offers free Japanese film screenings, book clubs, exhibitions, and more.
Koffler Arts Gallery This gallery is inside a repurposed former public school, now a community arts and culture center. The building in itself it’s worth the visit!
💡 Pro tip: Keep an open mind when choosing activities! Exploring different cultures, places, and mediums can make these experiences even more exciting.
3. Explore your surroundings.
You never know what surprises a building you walk past every day might hold inside!
During my first semester, I had a three-hour gap between classes, which gave me the perfect excuse to explore the area around Sheridan’s HMC Campus. The first place I found is Mississauga’s Public Library. It was newly renovated, bright, clean and quiet. It is the perfect place to recharge between classes. Access is free, and borrowing books costs nothing! Just bring proof of residence/study in Mississauga and your ID to get a library card instantly. My second favourite spot around campus is the Art Gallery of Mississauga – I walked by it every week until I finally stepped inside one day, and it was such a lovely surprise. They host rotating exhibitions across different disciplines, and the space is always a breath of fresh air. Plus, entry is free, and they have a cute café!
4. Museums can never go wrong.
When I don’t feel like doing tons of research, I pick one museum or gallery and plan my day around it. For example, I love starting my day at Cong CàPhe, a cozy Vietnamese café, where I like to read or journal. Then, I head over to The Image Centre, I love walking there and soaking the always unexpected atmosphere of Toronto’s downtown, maybe taking some pictures at the little pond near the Centre before accessing the exhibition. This place is my favourite photography gallery. Their exhibitions are beautifully curated, and their knowledgeable staff runs free guided tours, I always leave feeling inspired.
Here are a few other amazing museums with free or discounted tickets for students:
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) – Free admission for students every Tuesday!
Bata Shoe Museum – It might not sound thrilling, but it is actually quite fascinating to learn the social and historical significance of shoes! They offer $8 student tickets and free entry on Sundays.
Aga Khan Museum – Dedicated to Persian and Islamic art. Students get in for just $12.
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) – No student pass, but if you’re 14-24 and live in Ontario, you get in FREE all year with the AGO Annual Pass.
💡 Bonus Tip: If you have a Toronto Public Library card you can get free tickets for many paid cultural activities, make sure to check in any library and ask for the freebies of the month!
5. The perfect ending to your day.
After a day of exploring galleries or museums, the perfect way to wind down is by watching a reeeeally good film. If I’m in the mood for a big screen experience, I love heading to TIFF Bell Lightbox, which always has an incredible lineup of films, from indie local gems to international cinema. If you’re under 25, you can get a free TIFF Under-25 Pass, which gives you access to discounted tickets and special free screenings.
If I am leaning more towards cozy mode, I’d go home and watch a film while having a glass of wine or a cup of tea and choose a film from my Kanopy watchlist. Did you know students and public library cardholders get free access to Kanopy and Hoopla? Their selection is honestly better and more diverse than most paid streaming platforms for art films. This is a perfect plan for a night in, immersed in a unique story with beautiful cinematography.
The Korean film “Little Forest” is truly the perfect light-hearted film to enjoy watching before bedtime. With its slow, beautifully crafted frames showcasing the splendor of nature and serene Korean rural landscapes, along with the story's warm wisdom, it will leave you feeling hopeful and uplifted about humankind. You can find it streaming on Kanopy.
No matter how busy life gets, making time for yourself and things that inspire you is one of the best ways to build a life you truly enjoy and thriving creative practices. I started taking myself on dates to heal a from broken heart, now, whenever I’m walking through the aisles of any museum, my spirit feels seen, strong, and inspired.
So, what’s stopping you? Start planning your own self-date this month, and let your curiosity lead the way!
Explore the Creative Corner!
A unique space within the SSU, dedicated to building a creative community, sharing resources, student stories, contests and more!
Full of tips and hidden gems, this blog post is an invitation to feed your creative practices through art, healing, and self-love. Mayra, SSU’s content marketing assistant, shares her favourite ways to spend a self-date in the city, filled with creativity, curiosity, and little moments of magic. Ready to plan your own? Keep Reading! 🎨✨