Oh I do love this piece. Thank you. It reminded me how much I love alone time. In my late 20’s I took off and travelled for a year on my own. I had the time if my life. As a 53 year old mum of 4, married, business owner I have found alone time trailrunning and ultra running. It’s my out…However I have a race in May in la Palma and my biggest worry is who will go with me. My husband can’t go so I’ve been trying to drum up interest from my sister and friends who have no interest which is absolutely understandable;) going alone felt like a step too far. This piece has given me the confidence to say… yes I can do this, go alone, you will be fine. 🙏🏽
I'm single and always have been. I travel a lot on my own. I would like to have a travelling companion but I don't so I am not going to sit at home waiting. My father gave me a love of sport . The joy that brings me has been my saviour. I will be 70 in Mar and I have booked to go to Saltzburg on my own. For anybody who is nervous of travelling alone just ask yourself 'What is the worst thing that can happen ' . Usually nothing except a great broadening of the mind. Mairéad
You really have a way with words and have been my inspiration so many times .
I was so bad at saying no especially when I worked as bed manager oncology hospital numerous times taking calls for doctors who didn’t answer or were too busy to answer their pagers .
Also doing stuff for my son and husband who could easily do it themselves felt O had to leave everything ready for both of them as guilty mum full time working .
Went to you exhausted .
Yes far outweighted the nos and didn’t serve me.
Started my W HI ,
Weekly hour investment on a Friday pm went for a cappuccinos on way home from work me time instead of cleaning the house ,
That could wait till Sat and be shared .
Now that I am retired drive on motorways but yes Alana I still want a driver .
A fantastic reminder of how to live life. We're terrified of being alone. Covid didn't help. As women, we're raised to be part of a couple, have children, take care of others. At least I was! Traveling on your own is akin to moving out of your parent's home. It's liberating to discover you can survive - and thrive - outside your comfort zone.
Alone time is SO important to me, my sanity and health absolutely depend on it. I still remember the first time I went to the cinema by myself, newly single in my 20s, and the first time I traveled to Italy by myself a few years later. Fear and freedom were my companions, as you say, but the sense of triumph and liberation when I'd achieved this was incredible 😃 Different parts of myself wake up whenever I spend quality time alone and I miss those parts if I don't do this regularly.
I used to think that being alone meant that there was something about me that meant others didn't want to be with me. But after more than 2 decades as a single mother, I've learned to be alone a lot. I get lonely sometimes, but also I sometimes relish the fact that I can make decisions for myself, go where I want, do what I want and be who I want, within the confines of needing to care for my son, of course! There is great peace to be found in enjoying my own company, and I wish that 20 something Esther had been able to know this. I love that your daughter worked it out so early in life!
I was thinking about this 'alone' me a lot recently. I've never fully traveled 'alone' but I do spend time by myself while traveling. I enjoy eating alone out now too but it took practice. I value and am grateful for my choice to be alone. It does concern me that as we age, some cannot choose it, and are deeply lonely. If we practice this will it be easier in later life? I hope so.
Oh I do love this piece. Thank you. It reminded me how much I love alone time. In my late 20’s I took off and travelled for a year on my own. I had the time if my life. As a 53 year old mum of 4, married, business owner I have found alone time trailrunning and ultra running. It’s my out…However I have a race in May in la Palma and my biggest worry is who will go with me. My husband can’t go so I’ve been trying to drum up interest from my sister and friends who have no interest which is absolutely understandable;) going alone felt like a step too far. This piece has given me the confidence to say… yes I can do this, go alone, you will be fine. 🙏🏽
I'm single and always have been. I travel a lot on my own. I would like to have a travelling companion but I don't so I am not going to sit at home waiting. My father gave me a love of sport . The joy that brings me has been my saviour. I will be 70 in Mar and I have booked to go to Saltzburg on my own. For anybody who is nervous of travelling alone just ask yourself 'What is the worst thing that can happen ' . Usually nothing except a great broadening of the mind. Mairéad
Love this Alana,
You really have a way with words and have been my inspiration so many times .
I was so bad at saying no especially when I worked as bed manager oncology hospital numerous times taking calls for doctors who didn’t answer or were too busy to answer their pagers .
Also doing stuff for my son and husband who could easily do it themselves felt O had to leave everything ready for both of them as guilty mum full time working .
Went to you exhausted .
Yes far outweighted the nos and didn’t serve me.
Started my W HI ,
Weekly hour investment on a Friday pm went for a cappuccinos on way home from work me time instead of cleaning the house ,
That could wait till Sat and be shared .
Now that I am retired drive on motorways but yes Alana I still want a driver .
You are amazing .
I am not responsible for everyone’s happiness and everything in my home.
(Author Alana Kirk!!)
Simple. Strong. Powerful. Pertinent.
Brilliant and thankyou Alana .
A fantastic reminder of how to live life. We're terrified of being alone. Covid didn't help. As women, we're raised to be part of a couple, have children, take care of others. At least I was! Traveling on your own is akin to moving out of your parent's home. It's liberating to discover you can survive - and thrive - outside your comfort zone.
This piece really resonates with me, going on holiday on your own is the last word in luxury. No compromises, just pure indulgence. I love it. 🥰👏
Alone time is SO important to me, my sanity and health absolutely depend on it. I still remember the first time I went to the cinema by myself, newly single in my 20s, and the first time I traveled to Italy by myself a few years later. Fear and freedom were my companions, as you say, but the sense of triumph and liberation when I'd achieved this was incredible 😃 Different parts of myself wake up whenever I spend quality time alone and I miss those parts if I don't do this regularly.
I used to think that being alone meant that there was something about me that meant others didn't want to be with me. But after more than 2 decades as a single mother, I've learned to be alone a lot. I get lonely sometimes, but also I sometimes relish the fact that I can make decisions for myself, go where I want, do what I want and be who I want, within the confines of needing to care for my son, of course! There is great peace to be found in enjoying my own company, and I wish that 20 something Esther had been able to know this. I love that your daughter worked it out so early in life!
I was thinking about this 'alone' me a lot recently. I've never fully traveled 'alone' but I do spend time by myself while traveling. I enjoy eating alone out now too but it took practice. I value and am grateful for my choice to be alone. It does concern me that as we age, some cannot choose it, and are deeply lonely. If we practice this will it be easier in later life? I hope so.