What to do with myself.....

[AgathaVanHelsing]

I have an opportunity coming soon had I have not had for almost a decade.

I will have 1pm through to around 6pm the next day all to myself.

I have booked a couple of beauty treatments for that time and I'm taking myself out to dinner.

I don't want to spend this time with friends (not that I have many/any)

What would you do?

Oh and the budget is very limited. I only have about £50 and that includes dinner.

A long interrupted bath followed by a good interrupted film? A nice long walk somewhere followed by a leisurely glass of something in a lovely pub? DH is away for almost two weeks from Monday so I'm basically telling you my plans (unfortunately mine will be interrupted by work )

Walk
Cinema
Sit in a cafe and read
Go to a make-up counter and get some free make-up done by pretending you're keen to buy
Go swimming

Im terrified I'm going to be really bored and not appreciate it!
I have literally not been completely on my ownand 'off duty' for almost a decade.

I feel really wierd lol

Any interesting nearby galleries/museums/gardens to explore?

Tbh I’d probably be super boring and relish the opportunity to do some good decluttering work and neglected gardening jobs

You say you don’t want to see friends but is there anyone it’d be nice to schedule in a phone call or Skype with?

I am looking forward to a completely uninterrupted sleep. DH sleeps badly/lightly and fidgets and squeezes and rubs me a lot like a fucking comfort toy . Sods law I won't be able to sleep without him.

@Callybrid I might visit the local contemporary! It's only been there about 7 years and I still haven't been!

I'm not a call person and definitely don't do Skype! I'm with people all the time and I am naturally introverted so really want to take the time to myself

Anyone else? I feel like I need to try to keep busy and need ideas 😕

I would spend a fair chunk sleeping.

After you've been out for dinner get yourself the biggest mug of tea possible, a huge chocolate bar and a few chapters deep in a book you've been meaning to read.

Go for a walk, feed the ducks, visit a museum, swim if the place you're having treatments at has a pool, bake, do a jigsaw puzzle.

I'd have a long hot bath and a few wines in front of a good movie or three. I'd have a meal out or a take away, have some catch up sleep both days and maybe a massage - I'd probably actually have a trip to an overnight spa - but that's a bit more than your budget so the alternatives above are just as good
Enjoy!

Lie in bed and do absolutely bloody nothing?!

I do feel sorry for you OP that you haven't had a proper afternoon to yourself in ten years. I feel like I'm going insane if I don't get time alone after a week!!

I've got 2.5 days just for me in a couple of weeks - my plans are - lots of long dog walks, films on Netflix, finish the books I've got on the go and visiting relatives.
Oh and going to bed as early as I fancy and afternoon naps.

I would do the same and absolutely love it; I have a day off coming up soon when DD is in nursery and no part of me wants to make plans including other people as I can’t wait for the time to myself

A walk definitely sounds nice.

Do you like crafts? You can pick up little kits quite cheaply from hobbycraft (quite cute little cross stitch kits for £2) or an art set, or soap making, or anything like that. It’s worth a wander.

What about going to the library before your day of freedom and choosing a book or two, a jigsaw, and a dvd box set. I know everyone has streaming services but there’s loads that isn’t available.

You could challenge yourself to a internet free day, because it would be really easy to waste all that time just online.

I’d be absolutely in heaven surrounded by books, puzzles, craft stuff, and dvds, and stationery (you could write letters or cards to people you haven’t seen for a while), but I’m probably very very boring. Happy though!

I think preparation is key. Get lots of things ready. Nice food in, snacks you wouldn’t treat yourself to usually etc. Time will fly!

I don't understand how you haven't had any time to yourself for a decade! That blows my mind. But I spend huge swathes is time alone (probably too much) so it seems incredible.

Oh my word! I would have lost the plot if I hadn't had time to myself in that long. Don't worry about doing anything amazing, just relax. Paint your nails, have a long bath, read a book, wander uninterrupted around some shops that no one else would want to wander around and stop for a coffee when you want to.

I dropped a day at work purely so I get time to myself every week. Because it's a regular thing it's usually spent cleaning and running errands but I try to get to my pilates class and today I'm getting my hair done. The idea that I have autonomy over my own time and have space to think is vital. I was literally losing my mental health before I had this time.

I would do some 'research' so that I had lots of options and then only decide what to do minute by minute. Fresh sheets on the bad the day before. A stack of books and notebook, good pens close at hand. No washing or anything else that needed doing.

If you end up doing nothing, if you get engrossed in writing a short story or planning a novel. If you just daydream or plan a new kitchen ... it's all good. Enjoy.

Bath, candles, hair mask, face mask, before/after foot peel mask. Read or listen to music. Favourite takeaway. Netflix binge with microwave popcorn. Sleep. Daytime cinema, last minute ticket for show/play, or free exhibition. Being bored after this, or not, & welcoming the return of your everyday is a bonus...

If you want to get out of the house go to art gallery or craft fair if you have one local. Just browse and be inspired or just stare and try to work out what the artist was thinking.
Find a nice bar, window seat with a glass of wine and do a bit of people watching. This can fill in hours.

Go for a run/ walk/ horse ride.
Breakfast in a cafe with a good book.
Long candlelit bubble bath with chocolate and wine.
Eat things no one else in the family likes that you don’t normally have.
Wander around a gallery.
Have a lie in.
Feed the ducks or squirrels in a park.
Eat cake for lunch as you don’t have to worry about feeding everyone else a balanced diet.

Haha I like the cake for lunch idea. I like baking so I might make a cake to eat to lunch! 😋

Thank you all, i know its a bit wierd but I just seem to always be with someone. It just sort of happens lol

I mean I have been on my own in that I use the bathroom alone and the kids are asleep upstairs but i've not had complete freedom to just do as I please for such a long time, it feels alien.

I also like the idea of getting myself a craft to do. I wonder if I can still work my sewing machine?

I’d get in cheese, bread and wine and binge a box set in the evening, then the next day have a lie in, brunch somewhere in a cafe with a book, take a country walk for some air and also book a massage and facial (jealous of your treatments!). TBH my downtime would be spent in front of Netflix, but if you’re a “doer” then I’d bake or do some furniture upcycling. Love a project!

Actually I also squeeze in a stretch yoga class when I can, or if you’re feeling ultra hippy try a sound bath! Ultra relaxing

Well, it's almost here!

So far I have on my list, quick tidy and change the bed (I know, I know but I want to put all the kid crap away) an afternoon nap, dinner, late night showing of David Copperfield (because y'know I'm allowed out at night being grown up 😂) getting a few hours reading and drinking tea in.

Next day; a lay in, a walk, more reading possibly a pop round the shops and then back to real life about 6pm.

It feels really daunting, that's not normal is it?

Sounds like a perfect 2 days to me. But I think faced with it I'd feel overwhelmed and a bit panicked, because it's just not what we're used to anymore.

I think what you need to do is if you'd feel yourself worrying during the 2 days, just remind yourself it's a well deserved break just for you and you are allowed to have "me time" also, we're all here on the other side of the internet to talk if you need to be talked down, or up, depending what way you look at it.

Also please can we get a review of David Copperfield, most I've read are positive, but a couple of people I've spoken to have said it's not what they expected, but not in a bad or good way iyswim?