One of my new year’s intentions was to take a solo trip, so I packed my bags, loaded my board on the roof of my car and headed South.

It’s July 2019 and I’ve taken myself away for a little solo surf weekend at my favourite Cornish beach, Polzeath. With Dan breaking into the travel film market, he is away a lot more often. This has allowed me to work on my independent wellbeing and be a bit more proactive in making sure I take time out for ‘me’. It’s so easy to become complacent and rely on your partner for more than you should when you are equally capable of creating your own little pockets of joy. Everyone is different and handles things in their own way but sometimes consciously flipping your perspective on things, I can be a real lifesaver.

So here I am, sitting in my little three-man (but really a one-man plus luggage and snacks) pop-up tent. Not the single-skinned ones, they are terrible, but a double, to keep the rain out. I’ll link it at the bottom of this post as it is a solid weekender tent. I’ve got an airbed for a little extra comfort and my jazzy red sleeping bag from the 80s. We have another at home that you can zip together to make a snuggly pocket for two. I remember my parents using them that way years ago when we used to go on holidays in our caravan.

I have a small lantern that I hang from the top of the tent and a small stack of books. I always pack more then one in case I finish the one I’m reading but I’m such a slow reader that this literally never happens.

I have a battery pack for my phone and on this occasion, I have splashed out on an electric hookup so I can watch a film on my iPad in the evening. I know a lot of you might frown at the thought of a using technology whilst away on a tranquil beach getaway by myself but life is very fast-paced when I’m in the city so it takes me a while for me to change gears.

I meet with a couple of friends for a surf together. One of them is an old uni friend that I haven’t seen for years and the other is someone I talk to on Instagram now and then. I get quite socially anxious before meeting new people but there’s very rarely anything to worry about. It feels like most people are in the same boat these days so try to be quite honest and not worry about appearing ‘cool’.

Toasted pita and hummus have become my new post-surf go-to snack alongside a cold fruit drink or lemonade. Combine that with a thick and cosy jumper/pair of socks all whilst my hair dries in the breeze and the sun warms you up. I guess it akin to taking a hot bath after being caught in a downpour.

The girls are back on their merry way and I return to my tent. I read my book a little in the late afternoon sun before falling into, what can only be described as, a small coma.

I’m up early, before the sun, camera in hand. I’m wearing no make-up with a beanie covering my wild, sea-salt hair underneath. There’s only a handful of other people about. Mostly surfers, looking to get an early session in before the crowds or maybe even work. I quite often wish I was nearer the coast, somewhere I could surf more regularly but I also know that, by having to travel all that way, it somehow makes it more special when I do. We often wish for things to be different in our lives but it’s worth remembering that your imagination and reality are two very separate things. When I lived in Bournemouth, we had a beach nearby, one of the best in the country in fact, but I very rarely visited it.

After a final surf, I park on the beach to load up my board and gear. After a quick rinse down and some dry clothes, I’m back on the road headed home.

I would recommend an annual solo trip to anyone, it’s a great way to reconnect with yourself and nature.

It makes you really appreciate the people you have in your life. it gives you time to do things for you, whatever they might be, without worrying about judgement or criticism (this can be especially restorative when you are a people-pleaser-type like me). It also boosts your confidence and sense of self-worth. When you realise something you’ve been wanting to do for a couple of years, it’s like a giant pat on the back from yourself.

I decided to go small for my first solo trip, stay somewhere legit as opposed to wild-camping and not stay for too long. You can always start small and work your way up. You don’t have to go full-on Cheryl Strayed, straight out of the gate if you don’t want to.

So if you fancy it, give it a go, just remember to stay safe. You got this!