Spa Days: The Monthly Reset We Deserve

I did something this week that, in my opinion, should be made mandatory for every single person once a month: I went on a solo spa day.

Now, I’ve always been a fan of a spa day (when time and finances allow, aka when the stars align and the bank account doesn’t laugh at me). But until now, I’d always gone with family or friends. And don’t get me wrong, spa days with others are lovely. But this week? This felt different. This felt… life-changing. Slightly over indulgent. Possibly even illegal.

I had breakfast at 8am, and by 8:30 I was lying beside a beautiful indoor pool on a heated water bed, reading a book. A BOOK. Not a text message. Not a school email. Not the back of a cereal box. I READ AN ACTUAL BOOK.

I have to admit, I fell asleep, flat on my back, mouth probably wide open, looking like I’d washed up on the heated water bed and simply couldn’t be rescued.

I woke myself up in a sudden panic, convinced I must have been snoring loudly enough to disturb the poor people around me. But honestly… I was completely on my own, and I was never going to see any of those people again, so I decided to embrace the moment.

Solo spa day rules: nap first, dignity later.

I stayed there until lunch at 12:30, which honestly felt like the most adult thing I’ve ever done. Four hours of doing absolutely nothing? In this economy?? Who gave me permission?

Did I feel guilty? Of course. Immediately. I thought about my husband at work, my mum at home looking after the children and the animals, and basically every other person on the planet who could have benefitted from being in my position.

Guilt really is something that sneaks in like an uninvited guest. It shows up instantly, makes itself comfortable, and then refuses to leave, dragging its heels like, “Wait… aren’t you forgetting to feel bad about something?”

It’s that little voice reminding you that you mustn’t enjoy the moment too much. How dare you take time just for you!

The book I decided to read was Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr Julie Smith. And yes, I realise it was technically work-related… but I promise I wasn’t reading it with a highlighter in hand or pretending it was CPD.

This time, I read it purely for me, not “on behalf of a client,” not in Counsellor mode, but as an actual human being who was curious about how I might benefit from some of the tools she talks about.

I have to say, it’s written in such an easy, readable way. No overly complicated psychology jargon, no feeling like you need to lie down in a dark room halfway through. Just practical, manageable insights that actually make sense.

I’d fully recommend it to anyone who wants some helpful tools and a better understanding of the way our minds work… without feeling like they’ve accidentally signed up for a university lecture.

I eventually managed to roll myself off the water bed and into the pool, and from that point on, I fully embraced every single facility available. I’m talking swim, sauna, hot tub, tropical rain shower… the lot. Yes, I made sure I got my money’s worth, if it existed, I used it.

By the end of the day, I felt completely refreshed, relaxed, and genuinely ready to step back into daily life with a spring in my step.

It also got me thinking about why going solo had such an impact. And I honestly think it came down to total freedom. For those eight hours, I wasn’t responsible for anyone else. I didn’t need to be available.

I could simply exist, completely content in my own company… and wow, did that feel better than good.