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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask what you do for "me" time?

120 replies

worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 19:02

Posted for traffic, and because I didn't really know where else to post this.

I didn't get time to myself for a very long number of years since having DC1, and for the last almost 6 years cared for my kids alone (Ex ever helped, didn't get a minute off from the kids). However, I'm now in a position where I'm finding myself with a lot more free time, yet, I don't know what to do with it.

I do the normal cleaning and errands, etc., but want to do something for myself or get some new hobbies or something. I'm highly uninspired after freshly coming out of SAHM life, and thus I am asking everybody, what do you do for yourself during your free time / 'me' time?

I was thinking about going back to the gym, getting my nails/hair done, but want to try something new! Any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 21:10

Lactarius · 06/03/2026 21:08

I do blacksmithing - a variety of projects including iron work for historical reenactments as well as knives and swords for personal use.

This is interesting. In what regard would you use knives and swords for personal use? Lol.

OP posts:
Lactarius · 06/03/2026 21:08

I do blacksmithing - a variety of projects including iron work for historical reenactments as well as knives and swords for personal use.

YourSassyPanda · 06/03/2026 21:07

Go for a run. Stamp about with the dogs. Or like others, a lovely long bath and a glass of something fizzy.

Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 21:06

SpanThatWorld · 06/03/2026 20:13

Swimming in cold water gives me head space.
Went down to 1.1° this year in early January when we had that cold snap with beautiful clear skies. We had to break the ice to get in then lay in the water listening to the pieces of ice bumping into one another like wind chimes. Utterly marvellous

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Wow, that sounds beautiful really. An admirable hobby at that. As somebody who enjoys showers at boiling temperatures, I'm not sure I'm cut out for it lol. But it interests me that doing that gives you head space.

OP posts:
FunMustard · 06/03/2026 20:56

I game, I read, I enjoy working out, which is wild considering how fat and sedentary I was this time last year!

I'm also considering picking up the bass guitar - I learned guitar in school and would like a more "proper" hobby, but I don't want to do guitar again. I think bass guitar would be easier.

Nomotivationanymore50 · 06/03/2026 20:42

Another vote here for reading. It did take me an age though to be convinced to change from books to a kindle but what a game changer. I have kindle unlimited so get so many books for free
I also have a lot more time to spend with my horse, long hikes with the dog and a good old pamper evening once or twice a week is lovely.

ExperiencedTeacher · 06/03/2026 20:39

Gym
paddleboard
run
climb mountains

Cel77 · 06/03/2026 20:38

I like writing.

braaaiiins · 06/03/2026 20:37

I knit and crochet and drink tea in my messy garden in the morning. I am also doing an open university course to challenge my brain again after all the years away from education and full time employment.

Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:35

shellyleppard · 06/03/2026 20:02

@worldshottestmom my cats are the biggest vandals 🤣🤣

Edited

Hahahaha stop it!! Glad im not the only one with a feral pet 😭 my dog genuinely deserves an ASBO 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:33

Ladidahdi · 06/03/2026 19:58

I’ve recently joined the gym again, I’ve changed jobs so find myself with more time in the week. It’s a women only one which helped ease my discomfort of being a fat 40 year old. It’s so bloody wholesome it’s untrue.

I Google literally every day to see if a womens only gym has opened near me 😭 if there were one i would just go. I was harassed a few times at my old gym years back which is why I stopped going. Good on you for getting out there and doing it though, I crave a wholesome community in something, just never imagined itd be the gym lol. Maybe one day

OP posts:
Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:30

Mydahliasareshit · 06/03/2026 19:55

An Epsom salts bath, glass of wine, then pop a Kirkland sleep aid (non addictive) and sleep for 9 hours, with amazing dreams. Truly restorative.

My sleep has been horrific lately and 9 hours sounds like heaven. I love this suggestion, thank you

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Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:29

Muffsies · 06/03/2026 19:54

I make jewelery for myself, i find beads i like in charity shops and restring them into different designs.

My son bought me a rock tumbler for my b'day and I use it to make sea glass. Again, i find coloured glass things in charity shops and smash them up and tumble them. I use a dremel to make holes in the pieces and string them into mobiles and wind chimes. They can also be made into jewelery or mosaics. There are loads of ideas on youtube.

I watch my Dynasty (original series) box set whilst i create.

This sounds fantastic! Never considered glass art or making jewelry by hand, but its very much my thing and I think id really like it. Background tv show on whilst doing a hobby sounds so wonderful. Thank you!

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Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:27

BinNightTonight · 06/03/2026 19:52

Im in your old situation (ie completely lone parent to a 17 month old) and I've just got some colouring books and nice pens to use when hes asleep, maybe a good idea.

I also second a long, long bath, with possibly a book, a coffee and a bar of chocolate. Thats the thing i miss most since I've been a lone parent. For books, I love Jane Fallon, so funny and easy to read.

Aw damn, im sorry youre there, I know how it is. Hope youre managing okay and things get easier for you. Im definitely getting an adult colouring book when I next go shopping, I have some nice pens already that im keen to use. Honestly think chocolate and a book in the bath sounds like heaven. And thanks for the recommendation! Will check her out. Really wasnt sure which genre to go for, but i will start with her books, you've sold me lol

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Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:24

MrsLizzieDarcy · 06/03/2026 19:48

I love walking, and often go out with my ear pods in and an audiobook to listen to or a podcast. And I've got a studio bike that I love, you can follow rides all around the world on it. This week I've enjoyed rides in Cyprus, Montana and Australia.

I bought a bike yesterday! I used to love riding about on my old one before I sold it. Your bike sounds amazing! Do you mean it shows you like a POV perspective of someone biking in those places? I would love to do that!

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PinkCrab · 06/03/2026 20:24

If you’re thinking about joining a gym, rather than a standard commercial gym where you walk in and work out by yourself, consider a small group training gym like a CrossFit box or something similar, often called a strength and conditioning gym. It’s a totally different experience to a commercial gym - you have a coach there with you every session to help you along, the classes are big enough that you don’t stand out or feel like the spotlight is on you but small enough that you get the social element, and you’ll eliminate the need to plan what you’ll do in each session. It’s honestly the best thing that ever happened to me, I’m in awe of what my body can do post partum in terms of strength, mobility and technical movements and I’ve got such a brilliant friendship group. I know you’ve said you have a bad knee but everything can be scaled and adapted.

Even if this isn’t for you, dedicating time to your physical health and fitness is one of the greatest gifts you can give you and your children. Find a form of exercise you enjoy and stick to it, you’ll be healthier, reduce risks of serious illness and injury, be more strong and mobile as you age, and set a brilliant example for your children too. Plus the mental health benefits are huge.

Kittkats · 06/03/2026 20:23

I have a bath with a book and a glass of wine.
If I had more than an hour a week (and some money)I would make book nooks, do reformer pilates, go to a sauna and wild swim place near me, go horse riding, go for a walk and to the cafe in the park for cake, take up yoga, read more, go clothes shopping, join a gym.

Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:21

TheeNotoriousPIG · 06/03/2026 19:48

I like sleeping, knitting, reading, playing the piano, attempting to sew, going to classes of interest (e.g. botanical soap making, grow your own-type classes), horse-riding, and occasionally aerial silks, if I can squeeze it in. I may try to muster up the courage to go to adult gymnastic classes, if I can ever get there on time.

These all sound right up my street! I was looking yesterday at getting a sewing machine to make clothes; im very much a 'fashionista' so I think i might go for it!

The DIY type classes sound great too, im gonna Google anything like that near me now. Would love to get into soap or perfume making or something, it sounds hands on and fun.

As a very short person, horse-riding terrifies me. I rode my friend's horse when I was 8 and it just started running around like mad while the instructor tried to stop it and it was honestly both hilarious and traumatising lmao. I do love horses though, I wouldn't mind caring for them, but maybe not riding them.

I cant believe you do aerial silks as well, check you out! You sound so confident doing all these things, and i can only admire from a distance. Do you do all of these things alone? My friend wanted to try pole dance fitness classes but I just dont know if I can get over people calling me a stripper if they found out lol. I think I would enjoy doing it though as calisthenics used to be my forte!

OP posts:
Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:15

TheDenimPoet · 06/03/2026 19:48

I read, colour in, and practice my various musical instruments (piano, violin and trumpet).

Would love to play the violin, its so eloquent a peaceful sounding. Just something about it i really love

OP posts:
MiniCoopers · 06/03/2026 20:15

I gym regularly and I have a lovely hot bath on a Sunday evening with a glass of wine. Lots of home pampering

Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:13

HollyhockDays · 06/03/2026 19:40

Walk the dog and listen to podcasts.
Potter in the garden.
Do the big shop at a nice shopping centre and have pootle round the shops at the same time.
Read the papers on a Saturday.

Shopping is mostly what I do tbh, its nice but gets kinda boring when you do it daily.

I like gardening as well, cant wait for spring when it gets a bit more tempting to go out in it lol.

I can only dream of dog-walking being relaxing. My dog is a rescue and was horrifically abused as a young puppy. Hes very anxious now and hates other dogs and specifically men (despite extensive, on going training) so walking him is a mission every time lol.

OP posts:
SpanThatWorld · 06/03/2026 20:13

worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 19:59

Gave you a support reaction because if you swim in cold water to relax, then you need it haha. Joking. Why the cold water though, is it a helping-with-muscles kinda thing?

I have a friend that is an avid woodworker and has created some beautiful pieces, some of which I have purchased. Would love to make things like it but dont even know where I would start with equipment etc lol.

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Swimming in cold water gives me head space.
Went down to 1.1° this year in early January when we had that cold snap with beautiful clear skies. We had to break the ice to get in then lay in the water listening to the pieces of ice bumping into one another like wind chimes. Utterly marvellous

Original poster
worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 20:10

GroovyChick87 · 06/03/2026 19:37

Masturbate and a daytime nap. Reading. Colouring in. Drink champagne.

Im honestly fed up of masturbating at this point (single mom life yay), probably my only hobby right now hahaha.

I do actually encourage my kids to colour in a lot just so I can do it with them, though seen adult colouring books in the supermarket last week and was really tempted to buy one. Next time I will.

Drinking champagne as a hobby wins best suggestion of the thread tbh

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DoAWheelie · 06/03/2026 20:09

I read books, or listen to them while doing something else like playing video games or doing crafts (cross stitch, crochet, diamond art, watercolour pen colouring in books).

Sometimes I'll watch a film or a couple of episodes of a TV show or a video essay on YouTube. Oh and playing with the cats - I've been trying to see how high I can get my girl to jump and she's been doing some really impressive acrobatics lately despite just turning 13 this month.

I used to like swimming but I can't do that anymore. My local pool did adults only sessions late at night and played music and it was really relaxing to just float about and listen after tiring myself out doing lengths.

Babsandherwabs · 06/03/2026 20:08

worldshottestmom · 06/03/2026 19:45

Wow, this all sounds so up my street! I got into knitting right before DC1 was born, but didnt have any time to do it after that. I would like to learn crochet as something new to do, I actually bought some stuff to learn not long ago, you just reminded me!

What is lino printing? It sounds fun!

Clay modelling sounds great, too. Bought my son a little pottery wheel for his birthday and we had so much fun with it!

Really great suggestions, thank you! 😊

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Lino printing is where you have this special cutting tool thing where you cut a design into Lino and then roll paint onto the design, and then print that onto paper… look for a kit/look for a demo on YouTube. Satisfaction factor high! But also can be frustrating.

I love crochet because once you’ve got the hang it’s quite simple and quick and you can have the telly on at the same time! And it’s easy to pick up and put down whereas watercolours, printing etc not so much.