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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can’t decide whether this is empowering or a little bit sad

68 replies

Blondiebeachbabe · 12/04/2026 20:47

Kids left home 10 years ago. I text alot but they’re not great at keeping in touch. DH works shifts and left today at 1pm, and will get home around midnight. So, another night alone for me. I thought sod it, I’m going to have take-out. I ordered a meal for one from the Chinese. Quite expensive I thought at £9. Anyway, not a problem, I can afford it. Went along and felt a bit weird coming out with a bag with one container inside! Ate the meal and washed it down with wine. I can’t decide if this is the epitome of lushness, or if it’s all a bit sad that I’m doing this alone. 😵‍💫

OP posts:
TwistedWonder · 12/04/2026 21:55

I’ve lived alone since 2021 - I’ve had a pizza express delivery, a chocolate brownie and now drinking an M&S pina colada.

I don’t care if it’s lush, sad or not I’m enjoying it

Blondiebeachbabe · 12/04/2026 21:54

DollydaydreamTheThird · 12/04/2026 21:52

Totally lush! What I wouldn't give for a night on my own with no kids and no partner and a chinese. I'm currently drinking champagne. My partner was like 'why are you drinking champagne?' I just said 'Why not?' For him everything has to be saved for a special occasion. 🙄I'm totally of the mindset that I might die tomorrow so if I want champagne I'm having it YOLO 😜

this is fucking brilliant 🤩

OP posts:
Blondiebeachbabe · 12/04/2026 21:53

unistress · 12/04/2026 21:46

What has the context of kids having left home TEN YEARS ago got to do with it?! Surely you are well-adjusted to this phase in your life by now? And how on earth can a takeaway consisting of ONE CONTAINER be considered to be even approaching lushness, never mind the epitome of it? And why would getting yourself a meal be considered sad? Are people who live alone doing something sad every time they eat or just when they treat themselves to something like a takeaway?

Odd thread.

This comment has made me laugh SO much that I’ve had to get a tissue to wipe my eyes!!!!! Fucking brilliant 🤩

OP posts:
DollydaydreamTheThird · 12/04/2026 21:52

Totally lush! What I wouldn't give for a night on my own with no kids and no partner and a chinese. I'm currently drinking champagne. My partner was like 'why are you drinking champagne?' I just said 'Why not?' For him everything has to be saved for a special occasion. 🙄I'm totally of the mindset that I might die tomorrow so if I want champagne I'm having it YOLO 😜

VividPinkTraybake · 12/04/2026 21:51

Flamingojune · 12/04/2026 21:29

Who's voted yabu?

Probably because £9 isn't expensive for a takeaway

SomethingWitty44 · 12/04/2026 21:50

Sounds bloody marvellous! Hope you enjoyed the food & wine & watched something trashy on the telly!

JaceLancs · 12/04/2026 21:46

I don’t eat takeaways but often treat myself to a luxury meal if I’m in on my own
Nice bit of rump steak or duck leg, lamb joint for one eg

unistress · 12/04/2026 21:46

What has the context of kids having left home TEN YEARS ago got to do with it?! Surely you are well-adjusted to this phase in your life by now? And how on earth can a takeaway consisting of ONE CONTAINER be considered to be even approaching lushness, never mind the epitome of it? And why would getting yourself a meal be considered sad? Are people who live alone doing something sad every time they eat or just when they treat themselves to something like a takeaway?

Odd thread.

Firesidechatter · 12/04/2026 21:44

Blimey it costs seven quid for a small portion of rice or noodles where I am, you’re not getting s Chinese for one for less than 20 quid here.

SergeantWrinkles · 12/04/2026 21:38

im a bit bemused at the idea of getting a takeaway for one is empowering? Just enjoy your time, your dh will be home at midnight! I’m not going to lie, I CRAVE nights like that! Just enjoy and, gently, try not to overthink it!

Bunny44 · 12/04/2026 21:35

I love doing what you've done OP. I'm a single mum to a toddler, although I live with my parents currently and also have a partner who I don't live with. When I lived on my own before kids I loved a takeaway and film night alone, and now I still love it when I get the house to myself once in a blue moon! I don't think it's sad. Lots of people do it!

Bunny44 · 12/04/2026 21:32

ThatFairy · 12/04/2026 21:05

I often eat takeaways alone... I'm alone all the time as well. I'm a single mum and my 18 year old stays at his partner's most nights the last few months. I really feel like I need something to do. I think I just made my whole life about being a mum, didn't date, lost touch with friends. I want to try to turn things around for myself this year

And people keep telling single mums to do what you've done 🥲. Can't win can we. Thing is they do leave home one day. I'm sure you'll find yourself again.

CurdinHenry · 12/04/2026 21:30

Dreamcatcherat50 · 12/04/2026 21:27

No one said it is, OP is just chatting it through with people.

Cheer up, mardy.

The op said it was. I am a bit freaked out that she isn't allowed out by herself to conduct transactions.

Flamingojune · 12/04/2026 21:29

Who's voted yabu?

thetinsoldier · 12/04/2026 21:28

Dreamcatcherat50 · 12/04/2026 20:55

I think it's the epitome of lushness but we're all in different places and situations.

Did it actually make you feel sad or did you question it because you're not used to doing things for or by yourself?

This…

Dreamcatcherat50 · 12/04/2026 21:27

CurdinHenry · 12/04/2026 20:56

I don't understand why this is remarkable...

No one said it is, OP is just chatting it through with people.

Cheer up, mardy.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/04/2026 21:27

Sounds lovely! And not sad at all.

Doesn’t sound too expensive either

lazyarse123 · 12/04/2026 21:23

Before we had kids my dh used to occasionally work away and one day i realised I could go and get a Chinese just for me. It felt a bit odd and dh asked why I hadn't done it before. Don't know why just hadn't thought of it.
It's good to do things just for yourself, ignore the pp saying it's just food.

ThisGreenUser · 12/04/2026 21:20

I live on my own and had a Dominos for one this evening! Don’t often get takeaways but it really hit the spot.

SeaGardening · 12/04/2026 21:19

Sounds wonderful! Enjoy the freedom.

ThePoshUns · 12/04/2026 21:17

Sounds lush. I’m home alone next weekend I might do the same!

Rhaidimiddim · 12/04/2026 21:16

Embrace the freedom, get used to doing things on your own, for yourself! You've done your mum shift - time to change gear and embrace the sweet-and-sour dinner for one.

Blondiebeachbabe · 12/04/2026 21:12

ThatFairy · 12/04/2026 21:05

I often eat takeaways alone... I'm alone all the time as well. I'm a single mum and my 18 year old stays at his partner's most nights the last few months. I really feel like I need something to do. I think I just made my whole life about being a mum, didn't date, lost touch with friends. I want to try to turn things around for myself this year

Bless you xx

OP posts:
Blondiebeachbabe · 12/04/2026 21:11

We get take aways a lot! At least once a week. It was more about just getting a dish for one. As I don’t normally do it alone. Felt good in that I can affford it. But also a bit sad thinking back to all the times I came out with a huge bag because the kids were still at home. I maybe haven’t articulated myself very well. That’ll be the wine 😂

OP posts:
DreamingOfGeneHunt · 12/04/2026 21:08

Sounds marvellous to me.

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