What would you do with a weekend to yourself..kids away unexpectedly...my default is housework. HELP.

Op I sense some guilt in your message - the first thing you do is apologise to anyone who might be upset by your post, and you admit yourself to using the time on previous weekends to be “productive”

It can be really hard, when you have a little pocket of free time to yourself but feel pressure to be productive, pressure to have a fabulous refreshing time, and guilt for other people, to actually enjoy time off.

I say all this not to upset you, just to say I don’t want you to fret about what you’re doing this weekend and if it’s “enough”

if it were me, I would give myself one nice thing (woodland walk, hot choc and a book in a cafe, swimming, meet friends) and then one thing you feel like you “ought” to be doing (hoover, wash sheets, prep a meal) for each day I had free. This would a. Make sure I did some actual nice relaxing things b. Stop me from constantly fretting that I wasn’t doing jobs and c. Make me feel more free in the remaining free time, which might let me think a bit more on what I actually feel like doing!

my big recommendations are, don’t go to bed really late, don’t drink loads of wine, and try and see a friend at some point for a check in. Also - don’t feel guilty, whatever you end up doing, you are allowed to and deserve to rest.

look after yourself and I hope this weekend can be really restful for you!

Where are you?

I would go somewhere which has a bit of everything you fancy. By the sea? City? Rural?

You can get all dressed up and sit in the hotel bar in the evening, sipping cocktails. Have a lovely meal and read a book.

Visit museums, galleries, theatre? Cinema? Long walk?

Have a great time.

There are some wonderful suggestions here, but I wonder about running away from home the minute you have it entirely to yourself 🤔.

I may spend some time out being free to do the things I'm usually unable to; then come home to cook or order a delicious meal, light some candles and relax, relax and relax some more. There's a lot of enjoyment in floating about your home in peace.

Sometimes I find a lot of pleasure in just dressing down, and getting a lot of work done around the house with no schedule to keep, getting laundry done, doing a lot of cooking, cleaning, it just feels so good to do this but, I can understand this is absolutely not a vacation for you in any way

Your idea? It's the most marvelous idea ever!!
"What I'd really like to do is go somewhere new and go for drinks and then to a club, dance and laugh, make a big fire and dance round it, wake up with no hangover, walk in a forest, go for a swim, snooze, read, eat. I want to flounce about in a sparkly dress, get muddy, have no responsibility.
I don' t really have friends that do that and I wouldnt know how to find this anyway!!"

God I wish I could do this with you, this sounds fantastic. Both dressing up in acute fun feminine sparkly way, but also getting down to nature... Having just enough drinks to laugh and feel warm and have a good time but not enough to be feeling awful the next day... There's something so amazing about being around a fire outdoors when it's cold out, and even getting muddy, I know that sounds gross to a lot of people but it sounds great to me. I love being grounded this way, no pun intended.

I also don't have any friends to do something like this with, but if you had some that were approximately 250 mi away, I'd recommend doing it. As long as they were up for it and we're going to give you a good time. Cuz it's a long drive otherwise!

My second guess for something reasonable along your lines would be to book into a non-expensive but nice hotel, long baths, take a swim or use the exercise room if they have that, maybe book some sort of a massage or a nail or facial treatment if you like that kind of thing...

My third recommendation would be if at all possible, to find some sort of local adventure company that could do something fun and outdoorsy and interesting, it may not be private just with you and instructor it might be with a small group of people but that could be a blast. You might have to do some furious online searching to try to find something in such short order, but I bet you there's experiences out there for the taking.

Whatever you end up doing, I hope that you have a marvelous weekend and I hope that it helps to recharge your batteries.

Absolute bliss. I would start with lie in, book, long bath, shave/fake tan/paint my toenails/do a hair mask.

Then get up and make myself a nice brunch while listening to the news/radio.

Then see what I felt like; probably deep clean the house for a few hours (so I could relax in it & catch up for the week), followed by a trip to town for hot chocolate and a mooch round the shops.

Then home for a takeaway, TV binge and probably call a friend that I wanted to catch up with.

Enjoy!

Ooo these all sound amazing and now I want to run off for the weekend!
But alas I can't but if I had to dream...

I would do a couple of hours housework just so the house feels clean and comfortable without smelly boys and men messing the place up.
Then mooch around shops like t k max, book shops etc. Back home with plenty candles, blankets and read a book with a takeaway.
Next day, long dog walk in the countryside, lunch out, massage, new bedding and watch a girly film. Bloody hell I so want to do this now!

I would of suggested overnight in a spa but I actually love being in the house when I am by myself. Enjoy whatever you decide x

I’d definitely recommend a glamping hut, should be cheaper this time of year. Preferably with a hot tub, a beach and a small town within reach.
But the main thing is that whatever you do, make sure its for you and not housework!!

Definitely get away for a night or it's just the same old shit but with a takeaway.

I hope you enjoy your brief window of freedom OP. But whatever you do, don't do housework!

Don’t commit to a long drive if you are so burnt out you are crying.

Take an easy city break somewhere not too far, and sleep/walk outdoors for fresh air/ explore/eat.

Longer term it sounds as though you could benefit from therapy. Your thoughts sound rather chaotic. Maybe put less pressure on yourself.

I have a blissfully free weekend this weekend too (tho no kids, but also NHS) and I plan on a walk in nature, feeding the birds, looking at chritsmas decs, buying myself a book. I'll have long bubble baths with book and wine and ice cream after I've made a lovely meal or ordered a take away. I will work on my painting and doing crafts. I there's availablity and money is there, I'd go to a spa to get a massage...

DO NOT DO CHORES!! This is my default too and then when my alone time is over, I rage at myself. If you are at home, take managing this urge very seriously, because we are creatures of (stupid) habits. Be prepared to give yourself a good talking to! Say aloud, "I deserve and need a break. No shit for me this weekend."
I wouldn't drive miles to see people. Too stressful and time consuming.
Get physical - massage, swim, walk. Ice skating?
I'd book a cottage if I could get to it easily. Maybe by the sea?
And keep away from the news, social media and all the distracting, miserable crap.
Picture yourself as a child again and allow yourself to be carefree and in the moment again.

I too have quite a lot of time at weekends, recently I met a friend for coffee and cake at 10am on a retail park, 12noon M&S mooched around and chose Christmas decorations. Went in HobbyCraft and bought some bits to be creative, spent ages in there looking at things I might do one day. Got a pedicure with gel Polish from a walking place. Home, takeaway,rewatched Line of Duty. Bliss
One weekend went to a nearby city, had an early meal after a look round then got last minute ticket to a musical.
Met a friend one weekend and had lunch at a garden centre then walked around the grounds of NT property in the cold but sunny afternoon.

Where are you @LonelySeahorses as then we can help with better suggestions ...

#HaveALovelyWeekend

Chill and watch TV, have a nice bath, go shopping.

I would be doing a combination of ...

Facial
Hair Treatment
New Lipstick (Mac or Lisa Eldridge or both!)
Lunch
Gallery
Theatre
Supper either out or order in at home from somewhere fabulous ...
Some excellent Wine

I would also be :
Bookshop pottering
Vintage Market pottering
Taking a long bath with some REN Rose Oil and candles ...
Reading my new book from the bookshop pottering!

Enjoy!

x

I'd give myself 2 hours of 'being productive time' (cleaning, cooking, organising etc) and then time spent doing something just for you (coffee out with a book, gym class, swim, hair appointment etc).
Enjoy it!

I recently had a weekend to myself. The utter bliss of not having to think about or fit in around anyone else. The peace and quiet. No one asking you for anything or where stuff is. Evenings playing my Spotify. Takeaway curry. Only problem was having to deal with the cat who can be a bit full on. Enjoy your weekend OP x

I live alone so every weekend is mine.

What region or city are you in? MNers might have suggestions for sparkly dress opportunities!

If you are going to do any housework cap it at 1 hour whatever is needed for you to not be stressed about it when you are out/when you come back.

I went out for a non-booze evening out last night and was so much more energised for life admin this morning!

If you would like some company on one of the days how about a day hike via a meetup group or Gutsy girls or find your local cold water swimming/sauna spot - full of sorority!

Friday I'd cook something I prefer - sea food risotto maybe, and watch a film. With my feet up.

Saturday morning, I'd run Parkrun and go for coffee with everyone else afterwards. Then shower, and look up what's on at the V&A or in my area. Check if any of my friends are at a loose end. Saturday night I'd head to the nearest comedy/jazz club even if on my own.

Sunday, invite a friend over for brunch. Or spend the day putting up xmas decorations, with a glass of wine.

This also sounds amazing.

Exactly what I would do.

I'm a parent carer. For me my time off means going to somewhere I don't have to talk to people, where there are zero demands.

Sometimes I book into a hotel and just read.

Last time I took out a trial Audible subscription and listened to Game of Thrones audio books for hours. (Spotify has 15 free hours a month of books if you have a family account, or local library/iPlayer for free). Couple of nights in a pub near a big forest, that serves fried breakfast and dinner.

Is there anything you want to see at the cinema? Pick one with extras - showcase with its amazing lean-back seats, or Everyman where they serve wine and bring pizza to your seat.