Spending birthday alone

[eyesbiggerthanstomach]

Ex H is moving out soon and it's my birthday a few days after.

It's on a weekday. Work allow you to take your birthday (or a nearby day) off. I have booked the day off.

The plan was DS is still going to go to nursery. I was going to then have the day to myself.

No friends or family around so I was planning to go to an independent cinema nearby for an afternoon film alone. Maybe have a nice breakfast alone or nice lunch alone. I'm not great with my own company and have rushed meals out alone glued to my phone as don't like sitting alone. Although I need to get used to it!

Is this going to be even more depressing as it will highlight how alone I am as I would imagine most people eating out or at a cinema will be with other people? Am I better off going to work? I will have to then fend off questions about what I'm doing to celebrate.

How did other separated parents cope on their first birthday alone?

I’m alone this year as the DCs are at camp and DH is abroad with friends.

As long as it’s not incessant, I love being alone. I’m going to go into London with my camera, go on a massive walk to a few interesting places I’ve wanted to visit, maybe to a gallery or museum, then in the evening I’m hopefully going to go out for a meal with friends, locally.

There is the possibility, though, that a local couple have their annual massive party (that I no longer make the cut for) and deprive me of the latter... but although it often makes me feel lost and like I fall through the gaps, I guess one good thing about not having a clear ‘crowd’ is that I have many circles of friends I can suggest a meet up to. Not all of them will be sucked in by potential massive party.

I would take the opportunity to enjoy a day on my own, with a small child do you really get alone time that often?

I would look at the Hussle flexible gym app, for any nice hotels where you can use their spa facilities for the price of a one day pass. I’ve done it before and £15 allowed me to spend the day at a 5* hotel using their sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, swimming pool and I lazed around on their loungers reading a book.

Sounds like a lovely day. I think being comfortable on your own is key to general happiness moving forward.
I’m sure you’ll have a few pangs about the new situation you find yourself in but space for reflection and planning are really good.

Have a lovely birthday.

Sounds lovely. It took me a while to get used to eating out alone but now I love it. I take a book or magazine with me rather than reading on my phone.

Have a lovely birthday.

Maybe book a beauty treatment or a hair cut/colour. Trip to see a film at the cinema

Go have your eyebrows done, get a haircut, have lunch in a nice cafe and shop for a really nice journal and pen as a birthday present.
You need to let things out, might as well write them down.
Happy birthday, it’s a new beginning!

I did this for a few days when DD started nursery and before I went back to work. It was HEAVEN.

My advice would be to drop DS off as late as possible then take yourself somewhere for brunch. You can read the paper while you eat and I guarantee you won't be the only solo diner. Then try and find a lunchtime showing at the cinema. Before you know it it'll be time to pick DS up. If you end up with an hour to spare you could try and squeeze in a manicure or pedicure.

I am sure you will have a lovely day. Make sure you take a cake into work the day after so you can have a little bit of fuss from your colleagues.

Happy birthday!

I had my birthday on my own last year. It's on the summer so I went in a lovely long walk I wouldn't be able to do with DS in tow.

I took a picnic of my favourite things.

Sat somewhere beautiful and read a book

It was nice to have some space.

Thanks all for the support and great ideas.

I never get time to myself and I should try to embrace it and not dwell on the fact it's my birthday.

Embrace your day.
Could you and your DS go out for something to eat after nursery?