‘People think I’m brave, there’s nothing to be nervous about’
Cathy Walker (42), who works in a bank as a team leader, is single and lives in Dunmurry. She says:
Ihave been travelling on my own since I was about 36. I found at that stage that most of my friends were married or in long-term relationships and our big holidays away stopped happening.
I went on holiday with my dad a couple of times and then I remember thinking to myself ‘you can’t keep going on holiday with your dad at this age’, so I took the plunge and booked my first holiday on my own.
I booked it on a Wednesday and was flying out on the Sunday, so I didn’t really have time to think about it or worry about it.
The first time I went away was only for four days — I thought that would be enough on my own to begin with.
I went to Ibiza as I know my way around there, so I felt comfortable and confident. And I’ve been there several times since for longer periods and I love it.
I work hard and like everyone else I want a holiday and something to look forward to, so why shouldn’t I go on holiday?
I’ve been on a lot of shopping trips on my own too, to places like Liverpool and Manchester.
People close to me tend to worry more about me travelling on my own than I do. I love it and look forward to new experiences.
I always get dressed up at night and look for nice places to go out and have dinner.
Sometimes I do think it would be lovely to have someone to share this with, but then I just think to myself ‘you should be grateful — you are on holiday and enjoy it’.
People are very friendly when they notice you on your own and they talk to me.
I feel a bit like Shirley Valentine. I just like to lie by the pool, get a bit of sun and go for walks before getting glammed up and going out for the night.
I would encourage other women in a similar situation to book a holiday and not worry about going on your own.
Everybody needs to get away and there is nothing to be nervous about.
People think I am brave, but I don’t have a choice — if I want to travel I have to do it on my own. That’s just the way it is.
For anyone considering it for the first time I would recommend a short break first to get used to it. Don’t dive in and book two weeks away on your own.
But go for it and enjoy it. Embrace new situations and new places. You will love it.”