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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Seriously - what do you do (home alone).

153 replies

Breadandsticks · 26/10/2025 19:43

I’m alone this evening. No children no partner.

Im sitting on the sofa overwhelmed by what I could do (read, I don’t want to watch a show, draw…) that I’ve frozen and I’m doing absolutely nothing!

What does one do when they have a whole evening to themselves?

Why is it we dream of having a moment alone without the family and when we get the chance it feels like a paralysis.

OP posts:
estellacandance · 26/10/2025 22:35

DingDongJingle · 26/10/2025 21:00

Do you never have to accommodate other members of the family? Eg take into account the food preferences of others when deciding what to have for dinner, or choose a TV programme that everyone else wants to watch as well? Or do you just choose what you want to eat/do/watch and everyone else does the same? Or do you all eat/watch TV etc separately?

We have different dietary desires/needs/wants so almost never all eat the same thing or at the same time.

I don’t think any families all sit in front of one tv watching the same thing anymore!

We all do what we want in our own spaces or in our living room.

But no I’m not going to allow cartoons on in the living room in the evening.

Cherryicecreamx · 26/10/2025 22:27

It's whatever we get used to! When we're used to company and family time, it's switching from that to alone time! It's a bit of a transition, so I make a cuppa, run a bath, put whatever I want on the TV. Head to bed even just somewhere comfy to relax rather than to sleep.
Depends how much time we have. But can put music on and spend time making some food I really fancy. Might have to do a quick shop run to get some nice bits in and treats afterwards. Then I feel sorted for the night! 👌

GreyCarpet · 26/10/2025 22:16

LillyPJ · 26/10/2025 22:14

If I'm on my own, I can't watch a horror film even if it's broad daylight. I'd never get to sleep afterwards!

Ooh, no, on your own is the best time to watch them!

LillyPJ · 26/10/2025 22:14

GreyCarpet · 26/10/2025 19:58

Low lights, candles, beer and listen to good music.

Play my guitar and sing.

Sit in compete darkness and watch a horror film.

Have a takeaway.

Early night and listen to podcasts.

I have no problem occupying myself and no paralysis! I love it.

If I'm on my own, I can't watch a horror film even if it's broad daylight. I'd never get to sleep afterwards!

Aubre · 26/10/2025 22:11

Silently eat seafood and sushi, silently sip wine, silently potter in the greenhouse and silently watch bits of films, read bits of books, sing bits of songs.

FrodoBiggins · 26/10/2025 22:09

What I planned on doing tonight

  • cooking something new with nice wine
  • bit of telly
  • reading in the bath

What i ended up doing

  • urgent work (thus delaying wine)
  • cheese on toast with delayed wine
  • watched El Clasico in the bath

Still fun!

Itworkedout · 26/10/2025 22:05

I normally buy food that only I like. Have a bath sometimes watch something I like and enjoy the peace!

LillyPJ · 26/10/2025 22:04

First, I would say you don't have to DO anything! You can just sit and stare out of the window. You might find that something suddenly appeals to you and you will get plenty of ideas here but they will all be optional. Maybe just enjoy the peace and solitude?

CantBreathe90 · 26/10/2025 21:56

Eat sushi (everyone else hates it), or something other "hippy food".

Drink entire bottle of nice red wine to myself.

Play The Sims.

Curlygirl06 · 26/10/2025 21:54

My dh works away a lot in the week, sometimes from Monday night until Friday, sometimes the odd night, sometimes not at all, we never know until the Friday before. I work 2 evenings a week, so often I'm on my own on Monday and Tuesday night. He's a fabulous cook and does all the cooking, so when he's away I've got to fend for myself. I can cook, just can't be arsed. I live on toast, with soup, beans/ spaghetti and sausages, ravioli, spaghetti bologna from a tin, crumpets, cauliflower cheese on toast, and if I'm feeling like a wild night- pot noodles and toast! It's like being a student, fabulous. I have a long bath, use all the hot water, sleep in the middle of the bed, watch my programmes on the TV. I find plenty to do, look up holidays, catch up on admin (or not!) Sometimes I get my friends round for a chat and a catch up, sometimes I just read my book. I love it!

Springersrock · 26/10/2025 21:54

I’m home alone tonight

I’ve watched a cheesy Christmas movie, had a a cheese toastie for dinner, had a bath and put a Korean skincare face mask thing on and a hair mask on, shaved my legs and stuff - I was going to read in the bath but my glasses kept steaming up so I got bored and got out. Farted about curling my hair (which will look a right mess in the morning but I’ll worry about that then).

I’ve now got a mint aero, mooching on here/Tiktok and attempting to watch the Ed Gein thing on Netflix - I’m half way through the first episode and have lost interest in it.

PyongyangKipperbang · 26/10/2025 21:50

for Tuesday - Saturday its MB Quizzes (easily found on a google)

Then Sunday nights (and the guy who did my birthday) its Ben Knight who does SmartphoneQuizKnights.
https://smartphonequizknights.co.uk/

If you want to PM me I am happy to share my tips with you and can "meet" you on a quiz if you would like a friend there for your first time!

Smartphone Quiz Knights

At Smartphone Quiz Knights, we specialise in delivering dynamic, engaging, and highly interactive quizzes for every occasion. Whether you're hosting a lively pub night, an unforgettable wedding celebration, a virtual game night, or a fundraising event...

https://smartphonequizknights.co.uk

Mondaytuesdayhappydays · 26/10/2025 21:44

PyongyangKipperbang · 26/10/2025 21:42

This is every evening for me almost as I am a single mother to a teen, all the others have left home and she goes up to her room.

I got involved in an online quizzing community during covid that is still going strong. Am currently on a break on the Sunday night quiz. Every week there are quizzes 6 days out of 7. Some a bit more serious than others (the speciality ones defnitely are.... Harry Potter, Sci Fi, sitcom ones) but mostly they are all utterly silly and just a laugh usually £5/6 a pop but they are really fun for less than a glass of wine at the pub. The late night ones on a Friday and Saturday are utter carnage as most people are drinking! The Sunday night one and some of the others are run by the guy who hosted the most amazing gameshow night for my 50th at a function room, I only got to know of him through these quizzes. He had a full game show set up with podiums, buzzers etc, fantastic!

Happy to share the info with anyone who wants it!

I’d love more info on that???
im a quiz hoe but can’t always be arsed to go to the pub to do one x

Baconbun · 26/10/2025 21:44

I live alone no kids no man no drama.
I do what i fancy doing.
Right now im having crisp watching blue planet and binging on mums net.

PyongyangKipperbang · 26/10/2025 21:42

This is every evening for me almost as I am a single mother to a teen, all the others have left home and she goes up to her room.

I got involved in an online quizzing community during covid that is still going strong. Am currently on a break on the Sunday night quiz. Every week there are quizzes 6 days out of 7. Some a bit more serious than others (the speciality ones defnitely are.... Harry Potter, Sci Fi, sitcom ones) but mostly they are all utterly silly and just a laugh usually £5/6 a pop but they are really fun for less than a glass of wine at the pub. The late night ones on a Friday and Saturday are utter carnage as most people are drinking! The Sunday night one and some of the others are run by the guy who hosted the most amazing gameshow night for my 50th at a function room, I only got to know of him through these quizzes. He had a full game show set up with podiums, buzzers etc, fantastic!

Happy to share the info with anyone who wants it!

Mondaytuesdayhappydays · 26/10/2025 21:40

FaceDownInAPuddle · 26/10/2025 21:38

I'm guessing that one furiously fingerblasts is not the response you are looking for.

Agreed but once that 10 mins is taken care of whole delicious evening of lolling lays ahead …
bliss!

Happyjoe · 26/10/2025 21:38

Bath, music (esp stuff nobody else likes) and I do not turn on the TV! It's bliss.

FaceDownInAPuddle · 26/10/2025 21:38

I'm guessing that one furiously fingerblasts is not the response you are looking for.

Mondaytuesdayhappydays · 26/10/2025 21:36

A shower and a lady wank, Telly, wine, (no cooking from scratch bollox) beans on toast with half a block of grated cheese and lashings m of butter. followed by both portions of a two pack of an MnS pudding with clotted cream

Bit of Mumsnet and a crossword. Bit of WhatsApp on various chats with friends or family.

All of above can only be done if house tidy, don’t need to do a food shop and if I’m up to date at work.

bliss
loads of it now the kids grown up and DH working away loads

NewGoldFox · 26/10/2025 21:35

randomchap · 26/10/2025 19:52

Turn off all electronics, dim lights, pint of decent beer, listen to a favourite album or two all the way through

Heaven!

Fairydustand · 26/10/2025 21:34

Do what ever you want to do.Even if you just sit and meditate.The night is yours.

Corknut · 26/10/2025 21:29

Play call of duty and eat snacks

Lauralou19 · 26/10/2025 21:27

You’ve already said house spotless (I always end up doing housework) so i’d say bath, dinner, wine, tv (something cheesy my DH doesn’t watch)😂 and early to bed.

Definately wouldn’t be trying to fill the time on a rare occasion - i’d just get some proper sleep! Just enjoy nothing to do and an extra long sleep!

weirdoboelady · 26/10/2025 21:24

Surely you are doing it already - browse MN!

Franjipanl8r · 26/10/2025 21:20

I just watch TV and drink a bottle of Prosecco to myself and have a meal consisting of just crisps and dips.