End the weekend right by taking yourself off for a restorative night away from home – and you’ll only have a short hop back to base or work in the morning
A treehouse in the mountains. A beachside bungalow. A big house in the country. After considering various tantalising options, I picked the latter for my solo Sunday night stay – a surprisingly casual 30 minutes from the hubbub of my home’s city centre. Just the act of booking it felt somehow freeing.
As soon as I hopped off the bus the sound of cicadas and smell of fresh air invigorated me, and as I ventured up the driveway to my boutique hotel a pair of horses appeared to neigh in greeting.
It might seem extravagant to splash out on a night’s accommodation so close to one’s own bed, but that’s part of the appeal. Treating yourself to anything, including a fancy hotel stay, sends a message to your subconscious that you deserve to be looked after. This is most important, of course, when the stories you tell yourself seem to suggest the opposite, when you’re feeling down and left out of life.
It has the same confidence-boosting impact any night of the week, but Sundays are the optimum time to plan a solo stay. Aside from the fact that many hotels offer special rates on this traditionally lower-occupancy day, it’s also traditionally a time of rest and rejuvenation before the busy week ahead. This leisurely 24 hours, too often given up to laundry and life admin, allows time to make the most of your stay, especially since there’ll be no rush-hour traffic to fight through to reach your hotel.
Check in as early as possible so you can have a massage if the hotel has a spa, take a refreshing evening stroll in the grounds or just spend time writing for pleasure or catching up on a boxset. You might like to explore where you live with fresh eyes, as a visitor does, or take yourself out to a gig or the movies. This is your overnight adventure, so make it what you need it to be – do what you feel like doing, without judgement.
There’s something liberating about packing light and turning up with nothing but the smallest of overnight bags. It keeps it uncomplicated, more achievable and can add to the thrill of taking off for the night.
The day of my solo stay, heavy grey clouds loomed low, suggesting rain, so I took the opportunity to cosy up in my double room, with a book I’d been meaning to read for ages. I put my phone on silent, hid it well out of sight and read for a couple of hours – I couldn’t remember the last time I’d done that. I also treated myself to dinner. And not just a quick eat-and-run burger but a proper evening meal that began with a fireside drink in the hotel bar and ended with a decadent white chocolate cheesecake in the restaurant.
In my head I’d anticipated being surrounded by gooey-eyed couples celebrating anniversaries, but that was far from the case, as others were eating alone too. But regardless, after a few minutes of feeling slightly awkward, I relaxed into it and the rest of the room faded away. There was the opportunity to be quiet and savour the food instead of summoning small talk.
When it came to bedtime, I jumped childishly onto the bed and delighted in taking up as much space as possible. With the lights out, the room was pitch black. I fell into a deep sleep, one so absolute that when I woke the next morning there wasn’t even a trace of a dream on my mind. I felt like I’d been turned off and reset, like my phone, which I’d almost forgotten I had.
Monday mornings have a tendency to conjure bleary-eyed dread, but not when you make them your own: when you start the day in peace, on your own schedule, or take time for a full breakfast carefully prepared by another’s hands. It’s a welcome change from scoffing down a cereal bar or a burnt bit of toast while dashing out the door.
I was so well-rested, I felt as though my eyes were sparkling, and for the rest of the day I couldn’t stop smiling. Apart from my boyfriend, I decided not to tell anyone where I’d been. I liked it being my own little secret. It added a sprinkle of magic to an otherwise average week.
A Sunday night stay is a reminder that you don’t have to go far to get a fresh perspective or to start noticing all the pleasing details of life again and to feel gratitude.
It doesn’t follow that the more distance you create between yourself and home, the greater the insight. Just a slight break in routine and a different view on the world is sometimes all that’s needed. A tent in the back garden would probably do the trick. And whether you become more yourself, or are able to escape yourself briefly, doesn’t really matter. After all, this act of self care is mostly about giving yourself permission to take time out.
Overnight tips
- Write a diary entry about your experience, detailing how it made you feel. It might encourage you to make it a regular occurrence.
- Don’t be afraid to book a stay on the spur of the moment, the spontaneity can add to the fun.
- Telling as few people as possible lessens the chance you’ll feel obliged to invite others.
- Be imaginative and choose places that suit your style and budget. A beach hut could be perfect for coastal dwellers.
- Pack light and don’t be tempted to pop any work stuff into your bag. It’s Sunday and it’s your time.
