To always want something to look forward to

[sweetgrape]

I'm now looking forward to my weeks holiday in September, before that I was looking forward to my sister coming to stay. I always seem to need something to look forward to. What are you all looking forward to or are you just content for the moment?

[Teabagbeforemilk]

I actually enjoy the the part before we do something. I used to be desperate to get on holiday, counting down the weeks as soon as we booked. Now I am a bit more chilled out and enjoy the lead up instead of wishing the days away.

At the moment I am looking forward to Friday when I don't have to do the school run for 6 weeks. Then looking forward to dd starting secondary. It was a long fight and an awful appeal to get her in, so very excited to see her on her first day.

Not sure if we will get a holiday this year, yet

[Nagasaki]

I am always looking forward to something, usually in terms of the research/planning aspect. It's a method of distraction/procrastination for me, as well as control freakery!

Problem is that when I actually get the the event itself, I'm so "wound up" about it, I get overwhelmed and don't sit back and enjoy it. That's something I am working on!

Currently planning DH's 40th birthday trip. It's in March 2016

[CakeWouldBeNice]

I always need something to look forward to too. And at the moment I feel like there isn't anything. I'm having my second miscarriage of the year and I really feel like I need something planned in the future that I can look forward to right now; it's what gets me through difficult times. But there isn't anything and I can't think of anything to make happen. And we have no money to make anything happen.

If anyone has any ideas they'd be gratefully received.

[SpottyTeacakes]

Cake I'm sorry to hear that can you book a weekend away?

I'm the same we had a really busy June but then nothing. I have just booked a sun holiday for May next year, we're going to redecorate our kitchen soon and it's dh's 30th in December. All things to look forward to so I'm feeling pretty happy.

[Nagasaki]

Cake, sorry for your losses . It certainly sounds like you could use something to look forward too. Not a great idea sorry, but could you book a night or two in a hotel that you don't have to pay for in advance, and save up over a few months for it?

[sweetgrape]

So sorry to hear that Cake, makes my post sound trivial. I hope something comes along soon to cheer you up.

[CakeWouldBeNice]

So sorry to hear that Cake, makes my post sound trivial. I hope something comes along soon to cheer you up.

Oh no don't be sorry. I'm actually watching this thread hoping that I can get some ideas from the things that other people are looking forward to. And it's really nice to see that other people also get through things by holding on to something they are looking forward to.

A weekend away unfortunately isn't an option because of money and other (necessary but not at all exciting) expenses we have. We worked out that if we saved for a really cheap weekend away, after we've paid the other expenses, we'd maybe get to take it in about 18 months. That's too far away and too remote a possibility for me to look forward to right now.

[SpottyTeacakes]

Sorry cake I didn't see the no money club card vouchers for a day at a theme park or a zoo? Are you close to a beach? The weather is meant to pick up soon, we love going to the beach early evening with a picnic and staying to watch the sun set.

[CakeWouldBeNice]

club card vouchers for a day at a theme park or a zoo?

We are the last remaining place on earth with no Tesco near us ( I know) so no clubcard. In fact very occasionally we go for a day out to a Tesco

[Pointlessfan]

I often cook a nice tea and take leftovers to work for lunch then I look forward to it all morning. Simple things! I like looking forward to things too.

[EponasWildDaughter]

I too need something to look forward to.

In the absence of something big to look forward to (like a break away) i look for small things. Like the fact the weekend is coming up - with DH being around more for a couple of days. Or hosting a family meal (older DCs + boyfriends summoned). Or something as daft as choosing an item of make up online and going out to buy it (cheap). A BBQ in the garden.

cake i am so sorry for your loss. I know it feels like so many plans have been snatched away from you both Could you plan some small event with your DH in the near future? A meal out? A fancy meal in? A visit to somewhere you would both enjoy? A drive to the coast if you are nearby? A night in with a new DVD? Just some little things to break up the next few weeks.

[EatDessertFirst]

for you Cake. So sorry for your loss.

I look forward to the small things, especially over the Summer Holidays.

I'm looking forward to taking the DC to see 'Inside Out' next month and a BBQ with our friends.
I'm looking forward to making Christmas cakes in September.

DP and I are also planning a fuss-free, no drama wedding excluding any Bridezilla or Groomzilla aspects seen on MN next Summer so thats quite a big thing to look forward to.

[TheSnowFairy]

The school holidays.

(I work in a school, term time only )

[Kim82]

Sorry for your loss cake :(

Usually we have nothing much to look forward to but loads has come around all at once this year. Over the summer holidays we have all 4 kids' birthdays, 2 camping trips, 2 weddings, a week away in Devon and then dd1 is starting secondary school in September. After 2nd September though all I have to look forward to is paying the car insurance...

[MrsSkywalker205]

YADNBU I am a planner too. I absolutely have to be arranging/organising something at all times. Currently it's two trips to London in the holidays and a birthday party

[PourquoiTuGachesTaVie]

I need something to work towards. I'm highly motivated by certificates and people saying "Well done". Took me years to realise and remember this and until I did I found I was sinking further into depression (not helped by not feeling valued in my job).

So far I've done:
Learnt to drive
Learnt to knit
Professional qualification
Breastfed exclusively for 6 months and still going strong

In progress:
Couch to 5k (week 5 starts tomorrow)
Degree (one year left until I graduate)

Not yet started but want to do:
Masters
ABM Breastfeeding counsellor training

I'm always on the look out for new things to learn or achieve.

[WhoisLucasHood]

I used to but I'm pretty content at the moment. I think good weather here helps massively. In the winter I'm waiting for spring and longer days. We've not had an abroad summer holiday for years and don't go mental at Xmas or birthdays so not counting down so much these days.

[SleepIsOverrated]

I am looking forwards to a planned holiday in the summer.
I'm looking forwards even more to a child free night in the autumn!

Small things I build in when the bigger things are too far away or otherwise unreachable - an afternoon just for me, blocked off in my diary, when I can be home alone or else disappear out somewhere to do some people watching.

New book by a favourite author - from library if I can't afford it - and time to sit and read it.

A new recipe or a planned day to bake an old favourite.

A day off from reality - paper plates and instant food and no boring rules about needing vegetables, a silly cheesy DVD so well known we can all quote all of it, and pyjamas and a locked front door.

A trip to somewhere free - we have a local stately home with free entrance for locals, or a petting farm, a lovely ancient hilltop to fly kites on, or a lonely stretch of river to walk along.

An evening with friends where we each bring a dish and everyone gets stupidly giggly - only happens once in a blue moon but it's lovely when it does, and we plan it a good month or so in advance.

A trip to ikea - dump the children in the soft play and sit drinking free coffee refills whilst mentally reorganising the entire house, skandi style. Then treat the kids to meatballs, stock up on Useless stuff and cheap candles from the market place, and come home again.

Every few months my daughter requests a do nothing day where we snuggle in bed all morning watching films. It's lovely.

Right now, I'm looking forwards to clean sheets, and a deep deep bubble bath. Which for various reasons, can't happen until tomorrow. But it gives me motivation to sort things out in the morning.

I do need things to look forwards to. They don't have to be huge, but when the day is full of rubbish and the diary is full of stress, then having something concrete I can hang on to really does help.

[JaceLancs]

I like having things to look forward to as well
Sometimes it's something big like a holiday but smaller things like visiting a friend - having people round for a meal, BBQ on a weekend or just starting a new book keep me going
As the rest of the time I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel
Financially in a bit of a mess, which I can't ever see improving, no chance of retirement ever, working really hard just to stay afloat and keep the job going that I have plus keep on top of all the housework gardening washing etc......