Birthday

Are you going to take some time today to do something you enjoy (as opposed to feel pressure about the conventions of others)? 

It doesn't have to be a big thing - just something to suit yourself - your gift to yourself to mark managing the day.

Maybe, enjoy eating your dessert first - before you eat your main course dish - it can be anything, whimsical or otherwise, which you have fancied but not tried on a regular day.

Sometimes it can be good to establish our own traditions around the type of a day like birthdays

This year, during my birthday week (not on my birthday day itself as that might be too stressful), I have decided that I will solo visit somewhere I have known about for a long time - but not before had the opportunity to visit.  I am giving myself the opportunity to visit that venue as a gift to myself.

I have decided to make the visit solo.  I like my own company even when there might be people I could have invited to accompany me.  No, I have chosen not to do so this time - solo is my choice.

I want to visit the place on my own terms. 

I want no fuss as I experience the venue. 

I want to be able to pause if I need a break.

None of that "oh, we ought to ..." (some other person's idea of what fun must of course look like for everyone).

If I decide I would like to sit down and just watch the scenes unfold - I don't want someone clockwatching with their running commentary about what we must be risking "missing out" upon.  I don't feel that desperation others seem to do so "got to see everything".

I don't want to hear judgemental comments about things I am actually enjoying observing or experiencing.

No listening to whinging about the weather etc.  (My outlook; is you track the weather forecast as the day approaches and then stow some appropriate clothing options / layers in your rucksack and just get on with your day and adventure).

If I want to wear my noise cancelling headphones and listen to a podcast while I survey my surroundings - so be it.

I don't want people insisting on photos of such a visit.  I want to experience the place and revisit it just in my own memories - not via somebody else's take on what was "important" during the visit.

I know that the venue will have lots of strangers visiting too.  I also know that it is a venue which is Sunflower Lanyard trained and they have a few quiet zones clearly marked around the site.  I have looked at their accessibility information and social story.

Websites like RAC Route Planner and Google Street view help me to feel prepared and to know what I am looking for during the journey.

The journey is much longer than I usually would consider - that is my investment in myself that week.  It is better if I am the driver as the same journey as a passenger would be much more uncomfortable.

Travelling solo, driving myself, if I want to break the journey somewhere - I can just do so, have a coffee or some water and then stretch my legs by walking around for a while.

I will also budget to enjoy a more luxury version of my pack lunch than usual during that excursion.

On the way home; in case I fancy a fish and chip supper - that might be worth a bit of advance research (I will have done a lot of walking outdoors that day - so a treat supper sounds reasonable).

If this style of trip works out OK - maybe something like this can become built into my new birthday-to-myself tradition.

Are you going to take some time today to do something you enjoy (as opposed to feel pressure about the conventions of others)? 

It doesn't have to be a big thing - just something to suit yourself - your gift to yourself to mark managing the day.

Maybe, enjoy eating your dessert first - before you eat your main course dish - it can be anything, whimsical or otherwise, which you have fancied but not tried on a regular day.

Sometimes it can be good to establish our own traditions around the type of a day like birthdays

This year, during my birthday week (not on my birthday day itself as that might be too stressful), I have decided that I will solo visit somewhere I have known about for a long time - but not before had the opportunity to visit.  I am giving myself the opportunity to visit that venue as a gift to myself.

I have decided to make the visit solo.  I like my own company even when there might be people I could have invited to accompany me.  No, I have chosen not to do so this time - solo is my choice.

I want to visit the place on my own terms. 

I want no fuss as I experience the venue. 

I want to be able to pause if I need a break.

None of that "oh, we ought to ..." (some other person's idea of what fun must of course look like for everyone).

If I decide I would like to sit down and just watch the scenes unfold - I don't want someone clockwatching with their running commentary about what we must be risking "missing out" upon.  I don't feel that desperation others seem to do so "got to see everything".

I don't want to hear judgemental comments about things I am actually enjoying observing or experiencing.

No listening to whinging about the weather etc.  (My outlook; is you track the weather forecast as the day approaches and then stow some appropriate clothing options / layers in your rucksack and just get on with your day and adventure).

If I want to wear my noise cancelling headphones and listen to a podcast while I survey my surroundings - so be it.

I don't want people insisting on photos of such a visit.  I want to experience the place and revisit it just in my own memories - not via somebody else's take on what was "important" during the visit.

I know that the venue will have lots of strangers visiting too.  I also know that it is a venue which is Sunflower Lanyard trained and they have a few quiet zones clearly marked around the site.  I have looked at their accessibility information and social story.

Websites like RAC Route Planner and Google Street view help me to feel prepared and to know what I am looking for during the journey.

The journey is much longer than I usually would consider - that is my investment in myself that week.  It is better if I am the driver as the same journey as a passenger would be much more uncomfortable.

Travelling solo, driving myself, if I want to break the journey somewhere - I can just do so, have a coffee or some water and then stretch my legs by walking around for a while.

I will also budget to enjoy a more luxury version of my pack lunch than usual during that excursion.

On the way home; in case I fancy a fish and chip supper - that might be worth a bit of advance research (I will have done a lot of walking outdoors that day - so a treat supper sounds reasonable).

If this style of trip works out OK - maybe something like this can become built into my new birthday-to-myself tradition.