From Shy to Brave: Starting My Solo Adventures

This week’s Saturday Reset feels different. For the first time in a long while, I’ll be parenting my children alone while their dad is away for a week. It’s not the first time I’ve been with them by myself, but now that they’re older, it feels different.

Am I nervous? Absolutely.

Do I think I can handle it? Definitely.

Parenting is hard work, especially solo parenting, but I’ve decided to approach it with optimism. Instead of dreading the process, I’m choosing to embrace it, to grow and glow through it.

Why Self-Rewards Matter in Parenting

I’ve noticed something: when I’m emotionally stable, rested, and happy, I parent better. When I’m not, I snap, I nag, I “snap and yap” (as I like to call it). Kids will always test boundaries, but my state of mind sets the tone.

So, moving forward, I’ve promised myself a weekly reward. Not just skincare or a Netflix night in, but real experiences that push me out of my comfort zone.

Things I’ve Never Done Alone (Shocking, I Know!)

Believe it or not:

• I’ve never been to a café alone.
• I’ve never gone to the cinema solo.
• I’ve never taken myself out to dinner.
• I’ve never gone on a long trail walk by myself.

It’s not that I don’t want to, I’ve just always been too shy. Ridiculously shy. And yet, here I am, finally deciding to start.

The First Step: The Café

I’ve lived in the UK for years, and somehow I’ve never walked into a café on my own. I’ve had café treats, but always through someone else. When I heard Mel Robbins say that cafés are a great place to start networking when living abroad, it struck me. How had I never tried this?

So this week, I’m making my first café visit a reality. Just me, myself, and a slice of cake. I love a good chocolate cake, Yummy!

What’s Next on My Solo Adventure List

• Long trail walks.

• A proper spa day.

• Ice skating at the rink in Telford.

• Dinner dates with myself

• Bookshop Afternoon

• Open Mic Night

• Art Gallery

And here’s how this series will work: I won’t keep it rigid or scheduled. Instead, I’ll share updates in real-time when they happen; you’ll get the tea. With pictures, links, and tips in case you want to try the same.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether you could take yourself out, the answer is yes. If I,  shy as I am, can do it, then you can too.

This is me, starting small, with my first café date. And this is the beginning of Solo Adventures with Ayo.