2 weeks ago since I ran away from my family.

Well, more accurately, my husband shooed me out the door.

We had been talking about me taking some time to go away somewhere solo.  But as life sweeps us by, the plan was never executed.

Then, what was supposed to be an impromptu trip to Melbourne for the Kids Business Bloggers Brunch, somehow Mr Surfer turned it into a 3 night getaway – in a hotel suite with a Jacuzzi, no less.

Who was I to complain?

While I still managed to meet up with some friends – both new and old – I decided to make a conscious (and some might say, selfish) decision to make the weekend more about me.  Time for me.  With only me.

I soaked myself in a bath full of bubbles twice a day (Radox is the new black!)

I booked myself in for an hour and a half traditional Thai massage.

I walked around Melbourne’s Chinatown and decided that it was so much prettier than ours. (Sorry, Sydney…but yours is starting to get grungy).

And my biggest highlight? A last minute matinee ticket to see “Driving Miss Daisy” at the Comedy Theatre.

Throughout the whole performance, my love for the theatre and the arts re-ignited itself.

I sat in the darkness, tears streaming down my face, in complete awe that I was in the same room with two of Broadway’s greatest legends.  When would I EVER be this close to James Earl Jones and feel the presence of his distinctive, deep, warm voice again?

And yes, I may have possibly upset some IRL friends for not letting them know I was in town.

But having always been an extremely accommodating person, making sure that I wouldn’t let anyone down, it was time to heed my own needs in restoring  a sense of well-being and happiness.

In a nutshell, what I learned was:

• Time on my own is vital.  And with a family to constantly look after, it’s even more crucial that I can steal some time away whenever I can.  It sounds selfish but I’m no use to anyone if there’s no room for self-preservation.
• By exploring new things on my own, I rediscovered certain past loves and passions.  I’m reminded of my identity that goes beyond mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.  There are so many more elements to me.
• Sitting alone in your random thoughts isn’t a lonely thing.  It’s actually productive.

And when the magical weekend was about over and it was time to head back to reality, I had no reason to be sad.

As the saying goes, “It is what it is” and my solo jaunt was just that.

I enjoyed it for what it was, just as I was thrilled to be returning home.

But it was about having the rare chance to sit still, in my own skin, simply enjoying the present moment as it fleeted by.

Life seems to be much more memorable that way.

Do you like spending time alone? Where would your runaway destination be?

Joining the effervescent Essentially Jess for IBOT