Holiday alone ?

Agree that getting away helps but not everyone has friends or siblings willing or able to go away with.
As for Medication if if helps people cope with their situation, then why not give them
a try. They work for so many.

I apologise for not reading all the posts, but living with a grumpy OH, a very negative individual, I spend as much time as possible with friends and family who have a more positive approach to life. So, a couple of weeks ago I was with my sister for a few days in Devon and next week I’m travelling to Spain for a week with my other sister. They, in turn, come to me for a few days’ holiday. Everyone needs a change of scenery from time to time. Life is too short to be a martyr!

Hithere

Medication will help you but to get out of this hole, you need professional help

After antidepressants have kicked in, why not start with a weekend, turn off your cell and decide your next destination?

What a shame that you have been prescribed anti depressants. How can a tablet help with something life throws at us. Too often GPS hand these out. I am sure these tablets will not help with your predicament. As for holidays alone, go for it. I used to go for three weeks twice a year to a five star hotel in Tenerife. It is adults only and an amazing hotel. I felt very safe there because it had 24 hr reception. As other posters have suggested go on coach trips etc if you are not confident enough to go away for too long. I once went on three one day coach trips in a week. Be aware also that spiteful people could talk about you leaving your husband to cope. Go for whatever makes you happy and don’t rely on a tablet to solve problems

September 2019 I flew to Calgary ,hired a Ford Fiesta and travelled along to Banff,Radium hot springs,Kelowna and then up to Vancouver. Caught the ferry and travelled to Vancouver Island
I’m so thankful that I did it .All on my own . I stayed at Airbnb,s that I’d booked in advance and met so many lovely people .

Hellis that’s a bit cheeky just dropping 3 children off fir the weekend without even asking. No wonder you are tired.
Hope you enjoy your coach holiday, you deserve it. Why not book another in advance, always nice to have something to look forward to.

I've just booked a coach holiday for myself. I no longer have a husband who I need a break from , rather a daughter and her family. Don't get me wrong, I love my grandchildren dearly and have them stay over every weekend and several days (and nights) over the school breaks but I just want some 'me' time sometimes. I feel my daughter often takes it for granted I will have them and they just get dropped off by their step dad without asking me first. My daughter has said that as I'm retired ,I have nothing to do all day, so should help her out, but as there are 3of them (10, 8 and 3) I do get very tired trying to amuse and cater for them. I have been on a couple of these tours alone before a few years back and have found some really nice people to talk to and eat with, hopefully there will be this time too. I get to see some lovely places and as a non driver, it's the only way to get out and about

@PavM How lovely to have a brother in Greece you can visit . Have travelled on my own to the Greek Islands for many years but following two bouts of cancer gone are the days of cheap annual travel insurance. I now use Insurancewith - a company started by a lady who found it difficult to get travel insurance following her own breast cancer diagnosis. Hope this helps and have a great time.

When your doctor suggests having a break, that doesn't necessarily mean a holiday away, they could just mean a day out somewhere different or even just a few hours break. A long dog walk usually gets everything back into perspective for me!

Try a company such as Solo or Just You. Perhaps not very cheap but everyone on the holiday would be on their own.

Like Saggi I'm a long-term carer and would love some alone time If you can't see yourself on a solo holiday just book a weekend away two nights in a hotel a theatre ticket/ an afternoon at the shops/ a visit to a gallery/ museum/ national trust property whatever you enjoy One big tip don't think everyone is looking at you on your own they really aren't !

Redhead56

Shinamae what company is the trip to Wales with? I will be interested to recommend my recently widowed friend.

It’s a local company based in Tiverton called Blakes…

To everybody who has posted : thank you so much
I am overwhelmed by the kindness and support you have shown me
I will certainly take on board the advice about letting the meds take effect for a couple of weeks
Then I think I will be clearer about what I want to do
And it doesn’t have to be a long break , 3 nights away might be enough
It depends where I decide to go of course
You have given me plenty of ideas which I will read again and then decide what to do
Thanks again it’s great to have so many friends out there

Yes do it, perhaps for the first time a group tour of some sort would be best.

My husband has had 2 hip replacements, one in his 20s and one in his mid 30s as the first was a 'groundbreaking failure'. His is in his 60s so will probably need another at some point. Luckily he is well tempered...but I dread to think about caring for someone grumpy.

Do have a go at going somewhere, if you are religious (or not even religious but don't mind the odd prayer at meals) retreat centres can be wonderfully friendly. They also do walking, craft, stitching, book or other retreats, not all religion based; a great one is Lee Abbey in Devon. Otherwise, perhaps a small B & B somewhere? You could even think about asking locally if another single female wants to go away?

Whatever you choose, good luck with the meds, I take them permanently and sadly they take a while to kick in but can be a godsend...We are all here if you need a chat or support.

To Saggi: Can’t you get respite care for your husband so you can get away? Age uk could be a good source of reference. Or your local council, try Adult Social care

Mercury Holidays have holidays with no extra supplement. I went to Malta on my own when I needed to recuperate from surgery.

It was very relaxing to just do what I wanted without having to think about anyone else. I even approached other lone women in the dining room and asked if they would like some company, or preferred to be on their own. I met some really interesting people that way.

Pity there isn’t a magic pill to cure grumpy old men (and women).

Hi everyone my husband has had two hip replacements in recent years and he understood I needed a break by myself when I said I wanted to get away. So I went by train from
Nottingham to Cromer and stayed in a sweet little room in a characterful hotel overlooking the sea. I had fish and chips by myself one evening in a wonderful f and c restaurant overlooking the sea, chatted to people on the next table. I spent 3 days away, I took the local bus to Sheringham and Wells and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I highly recommend it!

I love going on holiday alone. You can please yourself. Coach trips are lovely for people on their own. You meet other trippers but you still have your own space

My widowed friend has just come back from a cruise around the U.K. sailing from Southampton, she went on her own , the were also the opportunity while on board to meet up with other “singles “ which she did , she says she really enjoyed .

A few years ago my partner didn’t want to go on holiday so I’d booked a “ single traveller “. coach trip to Lake Como , Italy , with Ledger which were good .

Also, there is an online traveling group called Goldies Holidays , I've gone with them couple times , once to Malta and then to Spain , everyone in the group books their own holiday independently then meet up at the chosen hotel .

When they say “ singles “ it doesn’t actually mean people who don’t have a partner, it’s for anyone who have their own reasons for traveling alone .

Personally, I don’t mind actually traveling on my own but as long as there are others likeminded in the same group . I’ve made some nice friends from the ones I’ve done and can be a lot of fun , so, book up and enjoy a well earned break .

@PavM - lots of recommendations on the Macmillan forums community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/travel-insurance-forum/f/travel_insurance/169013/recommended-travel-insurance

If you started a thread about it here, you’d probably get lots more suggestions.

Shinamae what company is the trip to Wales with? I will be interested to recommend my recently widowed friend.

Forgot to say, the anti-depressants don't instantly kick in, so hang in there. I hope that you feel better soon.

What about a short course doing/learning something new? A craft course, learning to swim, making a pair of shoes....... there are lots of options available.

Hi I think you will enjoy traveling alone as there is no one in interfering with plans. I love going off to see my brother in Greece alone and we do day trips to to tha sea side or just chill. ?

I am recovering from stomach surgery and off to see my brother in 3 weeks times and can't get travel insurance with reaccuring cancer. Any advice would be great. ?

There is a residential library., Gladstone’s. I’d go there.