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A Christmas escape or don't be a fool?

68 replies

OrangeFlowersAreLovely · 06/09/2022 09:03

I really hope this doesn't piss anyone off given the current financial crisis... and I'm sorry if it does. Please don't jammie dodger me! Trust me, money aside nobody would want the last two years I've had mentally and now I'm genuinely in between "go for it" and "don't be an irresponsible twat". I am 38 and live alone, no kids. Just me. The past two Christmases have been absolutely shit. I spent the last one trying to cheer both myself and someone else up from a really depressing situation and the one before that was at the start of a very ugly breakdown. I lost almost 3 stone in weight. Details irrelevant but I wouldn't want to go through it again for all the tea in China. This year I have started to feel better but I really don't want to be at home for Christmas, I know I'll just get depressed again. I'm already dreading it and it's not even Halloween. Yes people will say "please come and spend it with us" but I don't want to be the spare prick in someone else's home despite how welcome I will be. So I just want to jump on a plane and go somewhere new and escape it all. It's going to cost probably just shy of £2k for what I'm aiming for including spending money, everything, even the airport taxi. This will be around 15% of my savings, which I do try to increase each month. My total bills at the moment (obviously this will increase) come to around 40% of my take home pay. The rest goes on food, petrol, living and then saving whatever is left. I'm really not wealthy by any means (especially compared to some of the high earners on here) but I have a relatively small mortgage and I don't usually live a very expensive lifestyle. Of course deciding not to have children has impacted this. Spending this much on a solo getaway is NEVER something I have previously contemplated. But this year I want to just forget the festivities and lie on a warm beach with a good book and a few cocktails. I'm also starting a new job next month so there's always the worry they will hate me and give me the sack! If you were in my position would you go for it? It would be cheaper to stay in the UK of course but this is the point - I want nice weather, a positive environment and to just turn my back on December altogether.

OP posts:
Rovinonmars · 06/09/2022 09:07

I can't see any reason why you shouldn't do it. Life is short and you are financially secure. You should absolutely treat yourself.

Twinstudy · 06/09/2022 09:10

I would if I were you!

katscamel · 06/09/2022 09:10

What are you waiting for....if you've got the money and the time off I'd be booking it right now.

OrigamiOwls · 06/09/2022 09:11

I'd go if I were you.

TokyoSushi · 06/09/2022 09:12

Just go!

Lobelia123 · 06/09/2022 09:13

Do it!! I would :) Go and have a wonderful time....it sounds like it would not just be a holiday but an investment in your emotional and mental wellbeing after a truly shit couple of years.

GinIronic · 06/09/2022 09:13

Sounds wonderful - go and book it now!

WaddleAway · 06/09/2022 09:15

You don’t have to justify what you spend your money on to anyone! Go for it.

OrangeFlowersAreLovely · 06/09/2022 09:15

Oh thank you so much I was honestly expecting a load of abuse! (There's still time). As you can probably tell I'm a very nervous person. Just about to switch jobs and we're in the middle of a sickening cost of living crisis... I really do pick the right year to have a holiday blow out don't I? But I guess there's only so much caution you can apply if you just want to put some fun into life.

OP posts:
Aus84 · 06/09/2022 09:17

I would absolutely go and not feel the slightest bit guilty.

Stillfunny · 06/09/2022 09:20

Absolutely go for it. Don't put off anything in your life. No one knows the future . Later on , you could have more disposalable income but not the ability to travel. Use the time on focusing on you and return to the new job refreshed.
Hell, I wish I could do the same !

TwigTheWonderKid · 06/09/2022 09:20

I totally understand the feeling of "gate-crashing" someone else's Christmas, however welcoming they are.

Absolutely do it, but do make sure it's a positive plan. If you are just trying to escape from something rather than heading towards something that you've thought through you might be in for unexpected disappointment.

Ukholidaysaregreat · 06/09/2022 09:23

I think it is a brilliant idea! I hope you go and have a great time!

Twizbe · 06/09/2022 09:24

Go for it. My SiL did a yoga retreat a few christmases ago. They actually gave her a huge discount because she stayed for Christmas Day/

It was in Sri Lanka though which is now off the table. You might be able to find similar in other locations.

Moneymoneymoney1979 · 06/09/2022 09:24

Absolutely go for it.

Soozikinzii · 06/09/2022 09:28

I would say definitely go .

Snailsaresweet · 06/09/2022 09:29

I've done it in the past (also single person) and always loved it. BUT as someone above says, make it a positive plan, eg doing something you've always wanted to do/going somewhere you've always wanted to go. I love travelling, and have gone on several small group holidays to interesting places where Christmas isn't much of a thing. Small group holidays worked for me, as there were other people around (including many other singles) and all the organisation was taken care of by someone else. My most successful ones were to Namibia, and Egypt - neither countries that I would have dreamed of visiting by myself. I've also known of friends who've gone on retreats and yoga holidays and similar.

averythinline · 06/09/2022 09:39

Do it but as others have suggested make it something you choose to do...think of it as an investment in yourself if you need a financial justification for part of your brain!

It will be an investment in yourself..

cormorant5 · 06/09/2022 09:40

You go for it love, we did not want to host Christmas one year so went Chamonix.
It is a real town not just a resort. We did not ski.
Enjoy your beach, check weather trends some Mediterranean places get rain.

saveforthat · 06/09/2022 09:45

Absolutely go for it. Ive been on solo holidays in the past and really enjoyed myself. I'm also spending a fortune on a holiday this year and have had a few doubts about whether we can really afford it but I've just finished 18 months of cancer treatment and really need to get away. Have a great time and never worry about what anyone else thinks.

TimBoothseyes · 06/09/2022 10:03

Do it and enjoy it. As for "don't be an irresponsible twat". Look at it this way, the only person that will be impacted by your decision is you. Other people's bills will be what they are regardless of what you do.

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 06/09/2022 10:04

Go for it, sounds incredible! But agree on flipping your mindset – it’s a chance for a lovely break somewhere warm, not to escape Christmas (and repeat 😁)

Also agree on the group tours for solo travellers if you fancy exploring somewhere. I’ve always had an incredible time and met fab people from all over the world. Enjoyed them far more than time spent alone, but that’s for you to decide. Wishing you a fab time, whatever you choose.

GreenManalishi · 06/09/2022 10:05

DO IT!!! Definitely. Get it booked and enjoy looking forward to it. Go and have a ball!

Cloudonthemountains · 06/09/2022 10:09

Oh god yes, definitely go for it.

Have you checked that you'll be able to take leave over Christmas at your new place (unless of course they shut down over the holidays)?

shiningstar2 · 06/09/2022 10:14

You have savings to fall back on if anything happens with the new job so in your shoes I would do it.