As a cg to my husband, I feel very stressed most of the time. There are so many things that I need/want to do, but cannot seem to make myself do them. I would like to have a week away with my daughter, but feel guilty, so end up doing nothing. He says I had enough time away from him in 1987 when I spent 3 weeks with my dying father! Yikes!
Maybe you could start small. Go to the library for an hour and attend a book club or a free presentation. Take some community exercise classes. Let your husband know he will be OK if you are gone.
Three weeks away may have been quite traumatic for him many years ago, so he may be afraid. Help his see that it won't be so scary and so lonely. Now there is new technology. Maybe show him how you can Skype with him and he can enjoy the trip vicariously too.
Wishing you success on your trip and at home. Where are you going?
Above all, take care of yourself.
I bet if he were healthy, he would tell you to go.
I've had to fight my family to get leave to do things I need to do - and some of them are pretty basic to my health. Like walking or biking, not getting a ride for some pathetically short distance. I had to put my foot down and say NOT riding my bike is more dangerous than riding, and he finally came around with that one. There are things we still tug-of-war about, sometimes I feel guilty and selfish, other times I feel mad he wants me to quit and just live a selfish and sedentary life, uninvolved in the community like he is...he does not join me in many things and actually I have given up on a lot of things because I felt too sad to do them without him.