Where do you go to be alone with yourself?

[Pinkcottonshirt]

I love being away on holiday - lots of time and quiet for reading, reflecting and having ideas. I want to try to replicate this in some little way each week, some space to kind of “come back to myself”.

When the weather allows, I can do this in my garden. Secluded and comfortable, with all the essentials in easy reach.

But what about the other fifty weeks of the year?

Your suggestions and personal stories welcome.

I am a Mum. I have no idea what you're talking about .

I once thought I'd managed to go to the toilet by myself, but the cat had followed me in and tried to sit on my knee.

Does mumsnetting while they watch CBeebies count?

I definitely recognise that I’m at a stage of life where I can give this some thought for the first time

There's a park across the road from my house. I go for a "walk" regularly which in reality is me sitting on a bench under a tree listening to the birds singing and just being.

As sad as it may be I take myself off to the local bingo hall. Enjoy sitting there playing a few games with no whinging kids around. Find it quite relaxing although first time was rather aware of looking like a loner as it's mostly groups of friends together. Another plus point you don't have to share any winnings

A couple of weekends a year I like to pack my rucksack and camp alone on Dartmoor. Miles away from everyone.
Bliss!

The bath.
But dd 12 uses it as a chance to badger me for cash /sleepover requests /other futile to argue when you just want her to fuck off requirements...

I'm lucky enough that I have a couple of hours a day alone as I work (very) part-time while ds is at school,it's bliss.

My bed, but I don't have a partner.

Running also.

I sometimes have the house to myself during the day too. But mostly my bed. I love it.

Swimming. No one can ask you questions when your head is underwater.

Dd does a club twice a week for an hour in the evenings. I drive her there and sit in the car with a flask of coffee and some nice treats and browse the internet/read/people watch. Its bliss. I have to take a blanket in the winter though

I go for a run or a long hot bubbly bath!

Bedroom. I often go to bed early and read while DH is watching telly downstairs.

Cycling. I go out at 05:00 when nobody else is around. I love the solitude and it allows me to just think and enjoy nature during the 5 months of the year when it's light enough to actually see anything

Ooh, love time to myself and anywhere at home has the potential for me. I have a comfortable arm chair overlooking the garden. I have a chair in my bedroom (that is not used for clothes, as if!). Cooing in the kitchen alone = fabulous. We also have an odd room without an identify and I have largely taken this over. It has a wood burner in it. I can easily spend whole days in quiet solitude in winter or on drizzly days

I'm a mum to 5 so I'd say the bathroom with the lock on 🙈

I go for a walk or I wait untill 7.30pm comes when dd goes to bed.. I'm gonna be fucked when she's older and stays up with me.. at least then she'll be able to entertain herself I suppose so it won't be so full on.. I imagine by then the tables will turn and I'll retreat to bed at 7.30pm and let her have the run of the house

On the weeks l do four long days and one half day, l drive to the prom 10 mins away and read my book so l don't get distracted by the washing up.

How old are your children OP?

I’m childless snog.

I too enjoy the solitude of exercise and a hot bath, the latter is something I could do more often.

dudsville has got me thinking about refurnishing a room in my house, or using the space differently.

And I’m also tempted by the idea of driving out somewhere.

I leave toddler DD with the nanny/her dad and drive to a particular branch of McDonalds for breakfast and the papers .

The toilet at work is my me time. No one follows me in there and I get to have a door closed wee wee in peace

Local library

I have a studio at home, so I can work on my art in peace, in the nice weather I have garden nook, with a hammock, fairy lights and plants.
I also go beachcombing multiple days a week on my own, so I gets lots of alone time. Without it, I get bitchy

Ah, I have a dog.

We used to have a bigger dog, and walking her took around 40 minutes (twice or 3 times a day). Current dog is much smaller and doesn't need the walks to be as long but needs more of them.

20-odd minutes 4 times a day. Plenty of 'space' for the noises in my head.