Sometimes I don't need a busy campsite, a packed itinerary or a big adventure. Sometimes I just want to head somewhere quiet, set up my TentBox and enjoy a night surrounded by nature.
That's one of the reasons I love solo wild camping.
There's something incredibly relaxing about finding a peaceful spot in the forest or along the coast, knowing that for one night I can slow down, enjoy my surroundings and have some proper time to myself.
A Chance to Switch Off
One of the things I enjoy most about wild camping is the feeling of having my own space.
I'm someone who finds it much easier to relax when I don't have lots of people around me. On a campsite, there can be a constant awareness of everything happening around you. People walking past, vehicles arriving and leaving, conversations nearby and all the usual activity that comes with sharing a campsite.
When I'm wild camping, I can find somewhere quieter and settle into my own little space.
There's no rush and nowhere else I need to be. I can just enjoy the surroundings and let the evening unfold.
I Love the Quiet
Noise is another big reason I enjoy wild camping.
Campsites can be lovely places, but they can also be busy and noisy. There might be conversations, music, children playing, dogs barking or vehicles moving around throughout the day and evening.
When I'm camping, I often want the complete opposite.
I want to hear the wind through the trees, the sound of the sea or the rain hitting the TentBox.
That kind of quiet makes it much easier for me to relax.
It isn't that I don't enjoy being around people. I just really appreciate having somewhere peaceful to retreat to.
The Freedom to Enjoy My Evening
Solo camping also means I can spend my evening exactly how I want to.
If I want to cook a proper dinner, I can take my time and enjoy it.
If I want to sit outside with a cup of tea, I can.
If I want to listen to music, I can put my music on and enjoy it.
If the weather isn't great, I can climb into the TentBox, get comfortable and watch a TV show.
There's something really nice about not having to plan your evening around anyone else.
I can eat when I'm hungry, relax when I want to, go to bed when I'm tired and wake up whenever I'm ready.
Choosing Somewhere Peaceful
Another thing I love about wild camping is choosing where I want to spend the night.
Sometimes I'll want to find somewhere surrounded by trees and tucked away in a quiet corner of a forest.
Other times, I'll want to be beside the coast with a view across the water.
I'm not looking for somewhere completely inaccessible. I'm looking for somewhere that gives me a sense of peace and space.
Finding that balance is one of my favourite parts of wild camping.
The Mental Benefits
For me, the biggest benefit of solo wild camping is the effect it has on my head.
Everyday life can be busy. There are always things that need doing, messages to answer, plans to make and people who need your attention.
Getting away for a night gives me the opportunity to put some of that to one side.
When I'm surrounded by nature, I find myself slowing down without really trying.
I notice the landscape around me. I listen to the weather. I watch the light change as the evening goes on.
Even making a meal becomes something to enjoy rather than something that needs to be done quickly.
That change of pace gives me some much-needed headspace.
Being Alone Can Be a Good Thing
I think there's a big difference between being alone and being lonely.
When I'm solo camping, I'm choosing to have that time to myself.
I don't have to make conversation, decide what everyone else wants to do or compromise over where to go next.
I can spend an evening reading, listening to music, watching a TV show, cooking or simply sitting outside and looking at the view.
Sometimes doing absolutely nothing is exactly what I need.
After a night away, I often feel like I've had the chance to properly reset before heading home again.
There's a Real Sense of Freedom
Solo wild camping gives me a sense of freedom that I really enjoy.
I can decide where I want to go, when I want to arrive and how I want to spend my time there.
I'm responsible for myself and my own plans, which means I can be completely spontaneous if I want to be.
Sometimes the best part of a trip is simply finding somewhere beautiful, setting up camp and seeing where the evening takes me.
Staying Safe While Camping Alone
Although I enjoy the freedom of camping alone, I still take safety seriously.
Being on my own means thinking ahead and making sure I have the basics covered before I settle down for the night.
One of the most important things for me is making sure I have phone signal.
I want to know that I can contact someone if I need to, and I keep my phone charged and somewhere I can easily reach it.
I also make sure I know exactly where my vehicle keys are.
It's a simple thing, but I don't want to be searching through bags or equipment if I need to get into the car or leave quickly.
I also always keep a head torch within easy reach.
If I need to get out of the TentBox during the night, having a head torch ready means I can see where I'm going without having to find my way around in the dark.
Securing My TentBox
When I'm sleeping alone in my TentBox, I also like knowing that I've taken a few simple precautions to make myself feel comfortable.
I use a lock on the main window and door of my TentBox while I'm inside for the night.
It's a small thing, but it gives me some extra peace of mind and means I can settle down without worrying about the basics.
For me, feeling prepared is part of feeling relaxed. Once I've checked the important things, I can stop thinking about them and enjoy the night.
Respecting the Places I Camp
Wild camping also comes with responsibility.
Finding a beautiful quiet place doesn't mean I can treat it like my own personal campsite.
I want to leave places as I found them, take everything away with me and minimise my impact on the environment.
That means being respectful of wildlife, the landscape, landowners and anyone else who might use the area.
Being able to enjoy these places is a privilege, and I want them to remain beautiful for the next person who comes along.
Why I Keep Going Back
There are lots of reasons I keep choosing to solo wild camp.
I love the quiet.
I love being surrounded by nature.
I love choosing my own view and deciding exactly how I want to spend my evening.
I love cooking, listening to music, watching a TV show and simply enjoying my own company without having to think about anyone else's plans.
But most of all, I love how I feel afterwards.
Calmer. More relaxed. Less distracted.
For me, wild camping isn't about escaping from people or from everyday life. It's about giving myself some space from the busyness of it all.
Sometimes all I need is a quiet place, a good view, my TentBox and a night where I can completely slow down.