WIBU not to go on holiday later?

[ThrowThoseCurtainsWide]

I think I know what the answer is going to be here, but I need a bit of a kick up the backside to get myself going.

Friends of ours are letting us use their static caravan near the seaside over half term. It's about 90mins drive away and we are meeting them there this evening to collect the key. It's part of a park with a swimming pool and various other facilities which will be great for the DCs. It's also in a town that we enjoy going to as a day trip and has lots of fun things to do. We plan to stay until Wednesday.

But, my mental health hasn't been great recently and I've had a really busy, stressful and emotional week. Nothing is ready for this holiday. Clothes we need aren't clean, house needs tidying before we go, and nothing is packed. And I'm totally knackered and don't want to do it.

DH is out today, (that was planned long before this break) so I'm getting things ready by myself and trying to occupy the DCs. We've had to squeeze the time away in between other commitments so we can't really go tomorrow and come back a day letter.

The DCs has a bit of a rubbish summer holiday due to my mental health being bad and some major financial worries. And a free holiday isn't something we should turn down right now. I know it WBU, but I just want to go back to bed right now

Okay Mrs Doyle, I'll have a cup of tea

I have found the bag with swimwear in. Had a brainwave to store everyone's in the same place and I think it's worked. Taken recycling out. Cooking. Some pasta for lunch as we have no bread. Need to take the rubbish bin out next

Well done. Agree with everyone above, only do and take the absolutely essential. Anything you haven't got you can buy tomorrow.

My mother has repeatedly reminded me of such things when I am struggling with getting away to her cottage. I have almost always arrived there very late at night regardless of planned timing. (about 4 hours drive depending on traffic)

Once you are there, all the "home" stuff is left at home and life is simpler for a few days. Hope you get the benefit of unwinding for a bit and that some of the anxieties reduce.

Best wishes!

Me too Pythonesque. I deserve a holiday - I've been through a lot of stress appealing against the DWP's decision to stop the disability benefit that I've been getting for 10 years. Tribunal was this week and I won. The panel were unanimous based on evidence before I'd even walked into the room, but the stress leading up to it has been unbearable.

Dishwasher has finished, so has washing machine. Kids fed. Time to pack

Oh I feel your pain....I get like that sometimes...usually when there's stresses in other parts of my life. Pants, socks, pyjamas, swimwear, medication are essential. Couple of changes of clothes are important, but if you forgot.....wouldn't be the end of the world!

You can do this :)

You can do this curtains. I’m a funny old beast - when my MH is on form I’m the most organised, list-making woman you’ll ever meet but when it’s bad it just goes to pot. So I can sympathise that it all seems a bit much!

Remember to break down tasks if the seem insurmountable and be kind to yourself

DollyWilde that's just like me! I'm great at organising and lists & planning when I'm well. When I'm not feeling great I can't think what to put on the list let alone have the motivation to do it.

Do you have a drier . You can get a quick wash done and dried before you go

Have a lovely time, I've enjoyed the change in your posts from discouraged to encouraged :)

I also echo everyone else's suggestions to pack the dirty clothes and either put up with it or wash them when you get there.

How about
• pack a hairdryer to help anything dry (I've stayed in a static caravan once and there was a fire heater thing, can't remember if it had radiators though)
• lots of towels to squeeze-dry anything you wash in a basin with a bit of detergent
• if room, pack a clothes horse (!) or some clothes pegs. I wonder if the bathroom (shower room?) includes a little pull-out clothes line.
• if time google the area's website to see what's available in terms of laundrette facilities either on- or off-site (or ask friends / facility manager)
• Also check to see what time local shops close tonight

Enjoy your break
Jo

By the looks of it I've found enough clean to take with us. We only have a washer dryer, so have set stuff on a 15min wash. I'm taking the synthetics out and putting the cotton stuff on an intense dry.

Think I'm nearly there with the DCs stuff. Really tired now though. And I can't find my bag! Literally no idea where it's gone!!

I can't remember the name of the site, but will ask DH (it's people he knows).

Well done op. Have a great time

Found the name of the site, that's a start. Found my bag, shoved stuff in it. DH still isn't home yet, annoyingly. I might end up packing his bits too. DCs are really bored and acting up now :(

Well done OP. Now grab the DC and head to the park for half an hour to burn some energy, your DH can throw some clothes into a bag when he gets back.

Nearly there! DH is back now, he's pretty much packed. I can't remember what I've got in my bag but I've packed clean pants and my meds so it's all good.

DCs currently starting WW3 by the sounds of it. Wish we lived near a park DropZone. Nearest one is a 10min drive away unfortunately. We do have swings and a trampoline in the garden, but I had to bring them in because they started a water fight with the hose...

Grabbing last minute bits now and then we're off

Enjoy your holiday OP! Sounds like you nailed all the prep! 

On our way!! We left just before 6 so are about halfway there. Stopped to grab shower gel. DH is driving so Baileys Latte in a can for me

Thanks everyone for getting me off my behind to get everything sorted. Holidays here we come!

Enjoy your holiday.

Happy holidays op! You deserve it! 🍰💐⭐️🍭🍡🍿🍬

Have a great time. I just hope Fr Noel Furlong hasn't also been invited to the caravan for the weekend

I've taken dirty clothes on holiday and gone straight to the launderette (sites usually have their own but take washing powder with you as they charge a lot for a tiny box). When money is tight we holiday at my parents house (near sea) and I've not only turned up with dirty clothes but called her from motorway to buy dog food, forgotten items eg socks, pj's, sanitary towels - she's a saint and I think likes that she is needed, dad has driven 50 miles to tow us from the junction we broke down at then sorted repairs!

Sometimes we do have to push ourselves because getting to the starting point of something that will be good seems insurmountable but a break does us all good.

Have a wonderful time and congrats on winning your tribunal, I know how stressful it is - I pulled out of attending in person (for dd not me) as she couldn't cope with the whole environment, we won too, and the judgement was for enhanced (she was on standard prior to being moved onto pip for turning 16)

I hope you have a relaxing time. It sounds like theres enough going on at the park that the kids would have a great time even if you never left the park, and you can just chill with a book while the kids play.
As you said, you didnt manage to get to do much this summer, so I think this will be really important for them. Im glad you managed to throw enough stuff together

So DH has been saying all along that it was a lodge. But it was on a campsite so I was thinking it's going to be a small static caravan. It's sodding huge!!!! Friend has stocked up the cupboards, left us wine, got presents for the kids. It even has a washing machine after all that!!!

Best bit? It's on a nature reserve, look who has come to visit best holiday ever!!!

Packing was most definitely worth it

Sounds amazing, what a lovely friend you have.

I'm so glad you did it, well done. 😘