Hello indeedamum, further to doramarr’s suggestion- last year we had a long weekend in a very nice hotel in Norfolk. I was chatting to one of the managers, who told me that they often had single women guests. If my partner can’t get away from work and I need a break, I would seriously consider going alone.
I have stayed in hotels alone and travelled alone a number of times relating to my work and have always felt fine. Often I would eat in the dining room and sometimes just order room service.
I hope you will reconsider your thoughts about it being shameful to travel alone. If you saw another woman travelling alone on a train, plane or driving, I don’t think you would equate that with behaviour that felt shameful.
Women do all sorts of things today that our mothers wouldn’t have dreamt of doing ... my mother didn’t even have a passport, own a car or have her own bank account... things we can’t now imagine life without.
Maybe a short break with a shortish journey is a way to challenge yourself gently.
This could be a wonderful birthday adventure.
Do post again and let us know what you decide. We’re all rooting for you. ?