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.

Home. I live alone. Some aspects of that are glorious.

I often go for a drive by myself. Sometimes I head to my thinking place at the coast, not too far from me. Other times I just drive around my area, stop for a coffee etc.

I end up just driving around estates nosing into houses but I find it fascinating how other people live.

If the weather isn’t arctic I go for a walk, I live less than a mile from a world heritage site and can always find somewhere quiet out of full blown tourist season.

Otherwise my garden in summer or my bedroom in winter, I have got a little reading chair in there.

I have been for a drive in the hills a few times.

The train for half an hour everyday with my headphones on to discourage idle chat with my fellow passenger and twice a week the gym, I can just zone everyone else out whilst I exercise, love it 😍

Running. Preferably on the lightly used public footpaths in nearby countryside.

At New Year, we were supposed to be meeting a friend about an hours drive away. The DCs had stayed up too late to get up in good time and enjoy the day, so I drove up on my own. I'd forgotten the joy of driving. I pootle around locally on my own, but it's been ages since I had a decent distance of just me and the radio. I'd forgotten how liberating it feels!

I go away with work fairly regularly and often tag on a few hours, for some “me” time. Last time was a couple of weeks back and we were meeting late in the day, so I set off at lunchtime and had a walk along the coast on the way
Day to day, I love my bed, OH works away, so I watch trashy tv with a glass of wine (on the rare occasions that DD goes to sleep before I do)
We have a pet pony and being with her is lovely and relaxing (when she’s behaving herself)
And I like having a mooch around the shops, mostly just window shopping, but it helps me to switch off

I run. It’s the only way I can get any alone time these days. At home I can’t even go for a poo in peace.

The bath. All members of the family know they interrupt my bath at their peril.
My bed on a weekend morning when I spend an hour reading and drinking coffee whilst the kids are plugged into screens

I heard a story about a mum who put a tea towel on her head when she wanted to pray and that was the signal to leave her alone A friend of mine pops to the shop to get some milk/petrol etc which is when she goes to have a sneaky fag. You just need a plausible excuse to skulk off somewhere if you can't get it in your own home.

Swimming! It's the best way for me to put my thoughts in order. Whatever mood I start in, it's a better mood afterwards.

I go on a “citybreak” around four or five times a year, go to the cinema, theatre, book a lovely restaurant for dinner, coffee shops, shopping etc, whatever i fancy then back to the hotel for a lovely relaxing bath and a good book, bliss!

Quiet coffee shop during my lunch break at work.
Park.
Mall.

i go to bed with a good book bliss

Church.

I take my guitar to my bedroom...

Currently I'm in a relatives lodge at the hospital where my adult DD1 is having a long stay. Much as I hate the circumstances, I am rather enjoying having a little room all to myself and no one at home saying 'Mum where are my...' !!

My house. Nobody there except me.
Ditto my car, where I listen to the radio as I drive.

Same as pp my bed (widow) and the car but also Tkmaxx. I can wander round for ages browsing and humming like a demented old fool. Last time bought a gorgeous pair of shoes size 4 for £2. Don't know anyone that size. Will wait for dgd to grow into them

Actually it sounds very appealing to go on a city break by yourself too. I might try that.

After I've dropped DS2 off at school I go for breakfast in the Sainsbury's café and to nick their WiFi for 2 hours.

Walks in nature or weekend uk city breaks?
You could also create your own "retreat" at home with a day of yoga, meditation, journalling, reading and walking plus healthy food if that kind of thing appeals?

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

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.

Oh that is funny (in an annoying way, of course!). You know you are well and truly needed when the cat decides it MUST sit on your knee when you are i the loo!!

I don't work Fridays so every week I drive somewhere and go for a 3 hour run.

I am sort of equal distance from the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the Pennines, so usually go to one of those places and escape for a while.

When I finish, I go to a cafe and have a big lunch and drive home again.

Toilet or the car!

Members Reading Room at the British Museum. My favourite peaceful place.

Yikes, that sounds really pretentious, sorry

I go swimming once a week. I concentrate on how many lengths I’ve done which means I can forget everything else - work, family, study etc.