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

I'd have a swim and a massage in the morning then go to the cinema and have a sleep. There's one near us with amazing reclining armchairs.

Sorry, I know that's not an outdoorsy sunshiney experience

Hope you have a great time. I don’t blame you one bit.

i think the idea of a day off to yourself is great. But…

I’d be questioning why you aren’t able to have time to yourself without having to do it in secret.

The reality is that if a woman posted here that she’d found out her was secretly having days off work the overwhelming consensus would be that he was up to no good.

@DesparatePragmatist get another booked in. Life is too short and too hectic not to regularly have one of those days. Iv no doubt you deserve it.

If you are a history buff @CHO0SE house may be interesting?

Pedicure is a lovely long lasting treat if you don't want to do obvious manicure. I'd have both while in the process, but you do you!

How about buying a lovely notebook or journal for yourself, and starting to read The Artists Way by Julia Cameron, which is amazing. It certainly changed my life. You can have a read of it on
https://archive.org/details/julia-cameron-the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity/page/n44/mode/1up?view=theater

I’m doing the same… I’ve booked a solo spa day!! Enjoy your you time tomorrow!

I wouldn’t get away with this, my teenagers love to spot me on Find my iPhone

What a great idea, why haven’t I thought of this before?!

I’d have a leisurely walk around the shops, stop for a nice coffee and read a book, buy myself a little something and try to finish it off with a nap!

Why do you have to lie about it? Just tell them what you’re doing.

Do you have teens?

if I told mine I was having a day off, all four would want me to pick up something from the supermarket; one would want to come and have a mani pedi with me; two would also fancy a mooch around the shops; I’d get at least seven calls asking me for a lift/where sellotape was/have I seen their shoes/hairspray/lip gloss.

easier not to let them know my plans

@pizzaHeart

how stifling! Deactivate the 360 app for a day so you can do what you want!

@itsallabitofamystery

what do you mean , you wouldn’t get away with it?? You’re a grown woman, you can do what you want! Deactivate the tracking app for a day - your teens don’t need to know where you are every minute of every day.

The stay over thing is heavenly. Just discussed this with DP & we are going to take a turn each midweek for a few nights while our kids are in nursery, thanks for the idea!

@Cherrytree86meaning I wouldn’t get away with sneaking about, which is what this is. I don’t mind my teens knowing where I’m going, and if I did want a day to myself, I would tell them. I’m simply making reference to the OP having children and that if they’re like any modern teens, they’re likely to know where she is anyway.

A full spa day ! With lunch xx

I would head over to Lancing, have lunch at the perch and then swim in the sea, read my book or listen to music/podcast (or both), and finish off with a sauna there too.

Plan and pack!

Take a book or kindle if reading is your jive. Stick a folding chair in your car so if you do end up at a beach or in the car you can sit comfortably, nothing worse than setting down for a good read and your back and bum are sore from sitting on the ground or a wooden bench. Water for hydration, wet wipes for on the go freshness. If you like a bit of music, remember your earphones and a battery pack for your phone. Sunglasses, sun hat, and suncream for weather protection. Chose your clothing wisely - I've had shoe disasters where my feet were in ribbons during what was meant to be a relaxing mooch because I picked fashion over comfort for my feet. Ditto wearing a dress on a hot day and not putting on chub rub shorts or not having a cover and ending up with sunburnt shoulders.

A relaxing day means thinking comfort up front. Plan well!

Yes, say you have to work late and go for dinner and a drink in a nice pub, may as well make the most of it alternatively take a beer to the beach and relax / swim/ read a book…..enjoy

Have the best day but be mindful if you have things done like nails etc they’ll notice the difference when you return also the same if you turn up with new shopping bags etc! But enjoy you deserve it xx

Oooh lush ! 😍 Love a day like that. Adds to the cozy feeling of relief when it's a secret.

Do you know what I'd do ? Bed day. Hot chocolate with squirty cream and marshmallows, cozy PJ's and lounge in bed with a great series to binge on. Eat some naughty snacks too. It will really recharge the batteries. Then have a warm bath with a book before anyone's due home and slap some clothes on. Enjoy !

Just realised that might not work if your family is in the house 🤭

Don’t know your neck of the woods but hope you have a smashing day. And plan the next one. Does you good to recharge your batteries.

That's why she's going out!

I would go for a long walk or swim, then get a massage and then have something to eat at a nice place overlooking the sea.

I’m confused why you need to do this in secret though.
Surely your DH should be looking after the kids so you can do this regularly (and vice versa).