Help me plan my secret day off tomorrow.

[CHO0SE]

I have taken annual leave for the day.
My husband and kids don’t know, I know it might sound wrong but I need a break.
To put it mildly, it’s been the worst year of my life.
Anyway, I’ve booked a massage for the morning. I’ll probably go to the beach for a bit and find somewhere nice for lunch. what else shall I do?
Im so looking forward to it. Can’t do anything at home as husband and both teens will be there.
Thanks for any ideas
I’ll be in Shoreham area if anyone has any wise ideas for there or nearby but just anything really

Cinema in the afternoon

Oh lovely! Enjoy! I would probably go to slightly naff shops like a big TK maxx or a shopping outlet, but I know that's not for everyone!

Cinema? Or do you want to be outside? Mooch around Arundel?

I used to call these days sneaky free time!
Enjoy your day!

I love this and do it too sometimes!!

Why don't you find a nice pub for your lunch, sit in the pub garden and eat with a book all afternoon and enjoy the sun - and a few nice mocktails if your driving? Or the cinema if there's something you fancy seeing?

Otherwise, I also like to find little independent shops, browse all the lovely interesting things and treat myself to something small. Often jewellery or a candle holder or picture frame - my DH doesn't notice those kinds of things but they bring me joy and remind me of a lovely day.

Before others pile on about how you shouldn't need to do things in secret, sometimes that's half the point. Everyone knows my every move at every moment and I'm usually run ragged trying to pick everyone up, get to clubs with bags and sort dinner on top of work so this is my sanity. I don't have hobbies, but this is my equivalent.

Enjoy OP, it'll be lovely!!

Second the cinema, I also like museums and art galleries, a good country house/national trust property etc. (I don’t have a clue as to what’s available where you are.)
Is there anywhere you’ve always wanted to go, but no one else has?

Pub. Pub garden? Wonder around Waitrose, b&m and the range.

I love a slow wander around Waitrose and buying some snacks that the kids will not be having. They’ve got some lovely grown up gelato.

or I’d go to the garden centre and eat a massive piece of cake. Alone.

No suggestions - have a lovely day!!!

Personally, I’d head to a Waterstones, if you like to read?

Is there still a place in Brighton where you can decorate pottery?

Massage, get your nails done, walk along the beach, read in a pub garden whilst grazing on all the good M&S snacks you bought earlier!

Sauna and swim in the sea? There's a good sauna by the lighthouse and another smaller one on the beach at lancing

Thanks everyone. I feel like the cinema would be a waste of a lovely sunny day.
perhaps I’ll have a swim in the sea. I like the idea of mooching around little shops, buying myself a little souvenir. Not sure if they have little shops there. We will have to see.

Oh yes maybe a sauna! And nails! Hadn’t thought of those!

I've only ever done this once. I booked a day off work, and booked a day at a spa. I headed off as normal, v early, stopped somewhere for breakfast, and was at the spa as it opened. No treatments, just a day swimming, lounging in a dressing grown with a pile of magazines, eating the salad buffet at lunch, and walking the lovely gardens. Came home at the usual time. Never told anyone and I treasure it as a stolen oasis of time, just for me. Enjoy every second, OP!

Also like the idea of reading in the pub or on the beach. I have a pile of books waiting

Or head over to Lewes - I love it there!

Sounds amazing!

Don't feel guilty about it! Secret days off are wonderful and I always feel so much better after a day completely to myself. Only get to do it a couple of times a year now they are in school and I need my leave for the holidays, boo!

Lewes is a good call. Nice shops

And coffee and a big piece of cake with a magazine, to add to your list of things to do.

So jealous! I get a day of annual leave for my birthday. Work announced that we can take it any time of year now, but I'm keeping it for myself 😊 still have a few months to wait though!

I didn’t realise other people did this regularly! I might make it a thing!

I’m not familiar with your area, but are there any art galleries?

Whatever you do, don’t feel guilty. Not ever.

Have fun 🍷

After your massage and lunch find somewhere like a nice pub bar, have a drink and people watch. I love doing this knowing it's a workday. Feels so decadent.

Have a lovely day of freedom!

If you need a break, try not to plan too much. You have your massage, a trip to the beach. A lovely lunch out. Maybe just relax in the afternoon.

I live very near Shoreham. It is lovely but not really lots to do - there are a few moochy shops but not as many as in Worthing or Lewes... You might be better hopping on the train to one of those. There's a Charleston outpost gallery in Lewes which is worth a look. Have a lovely day!