Is it “weird” to go on holiday by yourself?

[curiousitygotthebetterofme]

I’m off work mid August and I really want to go away for a bit, not as in abroad but somewhere in the UK, like a self catering cottage somewhere in the country side for a few days.

Problem is DH cant get time off and DC dont want to go.

if I go away by myself, would people not think it’s a bit weird? Or do people actually do this?

Completely normal. On a business trip last week I discovered that the station hotel in Newcastle has a spa. So I could spend my days shopping or sight seeing, and evenings in the spa. I'm already working out when I can get away 😊

Do it! I went to NY and did most of it on my own because DH was attending a work event and I absolutely loved it, I went where I wanted when I wanted, saw everything I wanted to see so didn’t have to compromise on activities!

I have no idea if anyone noticed I was in on my own particularly, I definitely didn’t feel like it was an issue.

I do it a lot. City breaks though, I'm not fond of the country.

Not weird at all, I would love to have time away on my own.

Who is going to know you're holidaying alone? Most people will only see you fleetingly and will give you no thought whatsoever.

I do it all the time and totally love it!

Just go somewhere that allows you to do what you want whether that's a spa or shopping or if there's a hobby you enjoy. If you don't really know you could try a coach trip, a neighbour does this she gets picked up and dropped off.

I’m up for city breaks too! I’d love to go to London, haven’t been in years.. can just imagine a lovely hotel right beside the Thames! How lovely

No I do it. Go for it OP.

I'd love to, and oddly I think i'd feel less conspicuous in this country. I've been away for work alone and eaten out too, though I stuck to informal places like Nandos!

It's one of my dreams to go to a very remote coastal cottage and just sleep, read and walk to my heart's content.

I also really want to go to Cheltenham Literature Festival by myself

Do you ever see someone alone and think they have no friends?

Even if anyone weirdly did think it, they wouldn't say it, you wouldn't know.

I don't get lonely holidaying alone, but I live alone so used to my own company. It's really liberating to be able to do things on your timescale, to not be waiting on someone else, to choose your own excursions, sites and restaurants. To decide it's wet and you'd rather stay in with a book today and not to have to entertain anyone.

It's not intrinsically weird.

Many will find it weird. Who cares?
Many will find finding it weird weird. Who cares?

Do what you want to do in life.

I often go to the pub alone. I sit on my phone, have a few drinks, and chill. I know for a fact some people in there find it weird. Do I care? No, because how does that affect me?

You have to think about how things affect you. So, say you go out dressed like a sausage for the school run. Everyone's going to find it weird, you may get talked about, and your child may get bullied - don't do that.

But if you walk through a town centre dressed like a sausage and a million people see you but you never see them again it's probably never going to have any perceivable effect on your life - do that to your heart's content.

See my point?

I go away on holiday by myself at least once a year - usually city break abroad, but also in the UK some years. I think it is probably 'unusual' in the sense that I personally don't know anyone else who does it (when they have a partner and dc). But it's glorious. I love my own company and not having to think about anyone else's needs, eating schedules, waking times, etc. I have travelled with friends, but to be fair, I think they were more effort than my kids! But I also went on holiday by myself when I was single before dh and see no reason to stop now. It's great.

No it's awesome. I did it for 8 months around India and Asia! And often go for a few days - two weeks to discover somewhere new, mooch about, read, eat, ride horses and do yoga.

I've just returned from a holiday abroad alone. Complete week of relaxation and I loved it. I'm going to go again in September if i can.
Was so much nicer then trying to fit around anyone else's plans 😂

I read, swam, napped in the sun, got a great tan, chatted to some people and went on a boat trip to some beautiful islands. Was absolutely wonderful!

I've done it many times. Providing I feel safe in the chosen destination, I just do all the touristy things, go to cafés, restaurants, read by the pool etc. I find going to bars a bit more unnerving but I tend to walk around for a bit and find a quiet one, or one with a terrace. It is really fine- not lonely at all

I’m really tempted to do just do it! I mean, you only live once!

Not weird in the slightest
Only yourself to please
I am comfortable enough in my own skin but if you think you might feel awkward.. Honestly other people won't take any notice at all

I'd love to do that! Take a pile of books and a large bottle of gin, and leave my bloody phone at home.

I love my weeks break with no one else at all! Please myself, get up when i like, do nothing, do everything. Its great

Hell no, I've done it a few times now & it's way better than travelling with other. You get to do what you want to do & when, no stress, plus I met loads of other single travellers in the hotel, so it was easy to hook up with others for trips & activities you wouldn't do alone

All these posts are making me think I really need to talk to DH about us reconsidering doing this. When kids were tiny we promised each other that we'd make an effort to give the other one a break. Then money and covid and life and.... it just doesn't happen. I even tried to take the kids away by myself last year to give Dh a few days at home alone (he took them camping the year before and I had a wonderful few days at home).... and we all got covid and were stuck at home instead.

I used to travel for work a bit and I loved it - and that was pre DH and kids. I used to wander around random cities, eat what I liked, pop in and out of the hotel as I liked etc. I think I'm now inspired to put this back on the wishlist for next year when, hopefully, cash flow eases up over here.

There are so many things in London I’d love to see again, and new things too!

I’ve also done some trips with Intrepid and G Adventures to places where I’d feel a bit more nervous by myself. You still get the freedom of solo travel but with company if you want it and no stress of getting around places.