Ideas for stuff you can do (by yourself) to keep you entertained / occupied

[myhouseistoocold]

Arrghghghghg I'm just so bored today. My kids are big (12 & 15) and don't need me any more. My DH has invited friends over to play a game and is busy with them. I've just sat around in my PJs watching crap on Netflix and I'm soooooo bored and lonely.

What things can you do on your own to keep yourself entertained that aren't TV / internet? My close friends live in different towns so it's not practical to see them, much as I'd love to.

Reading
Decluttering 😄
Cooking
Baking
Go for a walk
Online/DVD workout
Craft - sew, knit, paint, draw
Gardening
Redecorate
Shopping - online or go out
National Trust places
🤷🏻‍♀️

Go for a run? Or start couch to 5k if you’re not a runner.

Mooch around Charity shops?

Baking?

Err.....clearing cupboards/chuck clothes out (see visiting charity shops above)

I read books. Honestly, give it a try!

Join the 50 books thread on MN
Write steamy fanfic
Baking / Sewing / Crochet if you enjoy any of these
Voluntary work (I'm treasurer for a local group)
Running (another C25K-er here) - good because you can do it whenever suits
If you're anything like me you'll find you get used to the extra time very very quickly and somehow it vanishes!

I sketch and play ukulele. I also have a list of around 762 other hobbies I've started and dropped

Some good ideas here, keep them coming.

I think I should try picking up knitting again - I tried it years ago and it went wrong but I always wanted to give it another try.

Exercise
Take up photography
Make up photobooks
Read a book
Browse the shops
Go for a walk

All things I would do if my four year old would let me!

Swimming

Gardening, yoga

I made some jam today. That took a couple of hours... I'm not sure how well it will turn out but I enjoyed the whole 'pottering about the kitchen stirring occasionally' feel of it!

I like:

Baking
Running or other exercise
Going for a mooch round the shops & for a coffee
Planning stuff
Long bath and pampering, nails etc
Reading

You could also clean or iron if you were desperate

If you want to pick up.knitting then find a local group or class, that way youre out of the house, meeting new people and learning with help. Plus the knitting groups ive been to have always been full of nice, witty, sometimes slightly odd but fun people.

Check out woolly hugs threads on here for ideas of stuff to make and to join the chat.

I do read but I often forget I can do it in the daytime as well as at bedtime!

I've been doing an online writing course too but I'm finding it difficult and getting frustrated with myself and it's now doing my head in instead of being fun.

Simple origami is quite fun and satisfying without being expensive or majorly time consuming.

I've started doing jigsaws.
Play cards.

I like to spend alone time:

Reading (fiction or history, mostly, but also reading American based newspapers online as I’m really interested in American politics)
Knitting
Playing the piano
Writing
Going for a walk
Nosing around the shops

Start planning what fruit/veg you are going to grow this summer, and how you are going to do it.
Search out what plays/films are coming to your local theatre/cinema, and book tickets for you and, if you want, DH, the DC and/or friends.
Plan a holiday.
Research any night school classes that you might be interested in.

Reading
Getting lost in a Wikipedia wormhole
Long hot bath
Box sets
Films

Gardening , I'm terrible ! But started a grow your own veg project

I sympathise with you OP. My DH works shifts meaning he is mainly not around weekday evenings and over the last 2 weeks DS 17 has also been out most evenings. I have been sitting there by myself and whereas the first day or two I appreciated the peace and quiet I've started feeling lonely now.

Many thanks to the ideas people have posted.

Reading
Writing (I’m in a writers group)
Painting
Gardening
Piano.

Get a bike. Or a dog! I've done 2 dog walks, seen to the horse and watched a lot of crap on TV today, along with a long bath.

Do a free on line course. There are some fascinating ones. Look on MOOC

I read, write and listen to music. That will get me sucked in for hours.
Yes to joining the 50 books thread! I've actually lost count of how many books I've read this year (not a stealth boast, also have to read a lot in my uni courses), but I still comment on it.

Look into your family history. That's something I want to try to do this year.