A few weeks ago, I did something I’ve never done before – I went on holiday alone. With my partner tied up with work, and my craving for warmth and sunshine growing stronger by the day, I decided not to wait for the stars to align with someone else’s schedule. I booked four days in Spain for just me, myself and I – and it turned out to be one of the most freeing, joyful things I’ve done in a long time.
In the past, I’ve always travelled with others. And while I enjoy being with family and friends, I’ve also noticed a pattern—trying to make sure everyone else is having a great time, often at the expense of my own enjoyment. So this time, I didn’t invite anyone. No checking diaries, comparing flight prices or negotiating itineraries. I just went.
And I loved it.
The simplicity of solo travel was a breath of fresh air. I could do exactly what I wanted, when I wanted. No clock-watching. No compromising.
I spent my days walking and soaking in the surroundings, and developed a new sense of gratitude for my legs—for the freedom to wander wherever my curiosity took me. I lay by the pool reading, listening to podcasts, and simply being still.
There’s also something about sunshine that makes everything feel easier. Life feels lighter when it’s warm and bright, even more so when you’re not heading to work! But beyond that, I noticed that people in sunnier climates seem to have their priorities differently stacked. Work doesn’t feel like the centre of everything – it’s there, but life, family, conversation and rest all seem to take up more space.
It made me question how tightly we grip work culture back home in the UK.
When it came to travel, I embraced public transport which took longer than a taxi but offered glimpses of real life and unexpected places along the way and was a fraction of the cost. If I was with my partner, we would have taken the quicker route, but on my own this suited me perfectly and became part of the fun.
I think some people felt a bit sorry for me being on my own—but honestly, I felt so content. If anything, I felt sad seeing couples sitting in silence on their phones during dinner. I had time to think, reflect and really rest.
The only thing I’d do differently next time is be braver with food in the evenings—while hotel dining was easy, I didn’t quite venture into the local cuisine. Eating felt more like fuelling up than a treat, but maybe that’s something to explore on the next trip.
I came home after just four days feeling more refreshed and reconnected with myself than I had in months. Solo travel isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve been considering it – I highly recommend giving yourself the gift of your own company.
