Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Do you ever have nothing to do?

26 replies

WonderWomansBoobs · 27/10/2021 12:53

I have a job plus my own business, 3 kids, 3 step kids (visit weekends) an elderly nan who is needing me more and more. Numerous pets who all need various care. And I just never seem to have a time where I can just relax and not have to think of doing something. Don't get me wrong, I do take time for myself when I need to, but at the back of my mind I'm always thinking "I could be doing x, y or z".

My dh and I both had a rare lazy Sunday a few weekends ago. I did the bare minimum (feeding kids, popped to the shop for a few bits etc) and it was heaven, but the guilt of not getting stuff done was immense.

Anyone else the same?

OP posts:

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 27/10/2021 12:58

I often have nothing to do, I have two cats, one adult child and I'm divorced although I do work full time.
It's great, I rarely do nothing as I have a lot of energy but if I wanted I could take myself off for a 6 hour nap anytime at the weekend if it's cold and rainy out.

HeronLanyon · 27/10/2021 13:04

I never ever have nothing to do. I take time to do nothing but the lost keeps getting longer when I do. Really hate it.

Justcashnosweets · 27/10/2021 13:21

I can't remember a time when I had absolutely nothing to do. There is always something. If I'm not working, there are always household chores, DIY, and thats not including spending time with dd, 8, looking after the pets, seeing family and friends, and squeezing in quality time with oh!

BarbaraofSeville · 27/10/2021 13:22

You never get to the end of your to do list.

But that shouldn't stop you from taking time out for you every day.

Knittedfairies · 27/10/2021 13:23

I never have nothing to do, but I do spend time doing nothing occasionally. Yesterday afternoon being a fine example...

Generalpost · 27/10/2021 13:45

@WonderWomansBoobs

Anyone else the same?

I feel just like this.nothing is ever done. There's always something going on if it's not general house stuff then it's children stuff. And then when i do sit down i still never really get a break because there's stuff in my head.

Sometimes the house will be a mess and I get asked what have you been doing . Its like I have been busy doing nothing. But my mind is always busy . I always have someone/something to worry about. There always so much stress going through my head. I don't have anyone to share it with or anyone to help. Because it's me who has to take care of (everything)

Original poster

WonderWomansBoobs · 27/10/2021 14:07

@Generalpost you've summed up my head lol. My brain just never switches off and it's exhausting. I've signed up for an OU access course in January too, so it's going to be even more hectic. I'm saving up for a dishwasher just so I can stop having to look at a pile of dishes everytime I walk in the kitchen.

Like last night I wanted to watch a 30 min program on TV. So I went downstairs and pthe TV on. Netflix needed updating, so started it and went in the kitchen. 30 mins later dh says oh have u watched it already? I'm like I've not started it yet, while it was updating I found loads of things that "needed" done (the actual update was probably a few minutes)

OP posts:

MagicWorkout · 27/10/2021 14:08

I never have nothing to do but I spend quite a lot of time doing nothing

MagicWorkout · 27/10/2021 14:09

In fact I was just pondering how much more I used to it into a day when I had young DC and a tiny window to get things done while the youngest was at preschool on my 2 days off.

Boudiccasback · 27/10/2021 14:10

I always have stuff to do, doesnt mean I’m doing it! No on here but me today and Im literally doing as little as possible. Ahhh

LoathesomeLinsey · 27/10/2021 14:13

There are always things I could be doing.

I work, have dcs and am studying fot a qualification at the moment.

But we rarely see family. My mum's dead and my dad has a partner, lives very far away etc. So possibly we have less on our plates. But I can always find something to do if I want to. But I don't necessarily have to, eg I let housework wait sometimes. Not living in filth or anything. We have a tidy house, but I'm not ott about it either. Some days when my youngest is at home, we don't do much.

pumpkinpie01 · 27/10/2021 14:14

I never have nothing to do . Always some cleaning , ironing , diy, doing favours for people , taking ds or grandchildren somewhere .Always seem to be dashing everywhere too from one thing to another -never going home to do nothing unfortunately . If anyone turns up or rings I'm never just sat watching tv

InvincibleInvisibility · 27/10/2021 14:15

I never have nothing to do. My list is never ending and I find it very hard to relax at home as I could always be doing something.

The best is when im swimming and physically can't do anything else, but it doesn't stop my mind from remembering things to do when I get home...

I also add things to my list that don't technically need doing but they do. Like making cakes and biscuits every week to avoid Dc having shop bought ones. Like Ive already started wrapping Christmas presents - really doesnt need doing now but I feel I should.

pumpkinpie01 · 27/10/2021 15:27

@InvincibleInvisibility I have started wrapping too , I vowed last year to buy then wrap within a couple of days . Worked much better than the year before where I wrapped in one go - 3 consecutive nights . So I'm wrapping as I go again this year 😀

ColinTheKoala · 27/10/2021 16:34

@MagicWorkout

I never have nothing to do but I spend quite a lot of time doing nothing

Same here. I am sure there is always something to do in a house!

ColinTheKoala · 27/10/2021 16:36

[quote pumpkinpie01]@InvincibleInvisibility I have started wrapping too , I vowed last year to buy then wrap within a couple of days . Worked much better than the year before where I wrapped in one go - 3 consecutive nights . So I'm wrapping as I go again this year 😀[/quote]
The problem with that for me is that I always forget who something is for once it is wrapped (the tags often come off).

And I always seem to lose presents too. It's a bit of a standing joke that I disappear mid-afternoon on Christmas Day and emerge with a present for someone that I had stashed somewhere and forgotten about.

LadyCleathStuart · 27/10/2021 16:43

Nope, full on job, two kids, two dogs. There is always something needs doing.

I have a (growing) list of things that I need to get around to such as cupboards needing cleaned out, old clothes needing sorted for donation, car needing cleaned out but by the time DH and I have done all of the day to day things (school runs, walk dogs, feed everyone, take kids to clubs, load/empty dishwasher, sort laundry etc. etc. etc.) we never get around to the other stuff.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 27/10/2021 18:37

There are always lots of things I ought to be doing but I have a PhD in Procrastinatory Arts. 🙂

FindingMeno · 27/10/2021 18:40

Always have stuff to do.
Luckily I get bored very easily 'relaxing'

drpaddington · 27/10/2021 18:43

I sometimes choose to do nothing- usually watch a bit of TV and have a nap- but there's always something I should be doing which means I feel guilty!

drpaddington · 27/10/2021 18:47

The problem with that for me is that I always forget who something is for once it is wrapped (the tags often come off).

I use stickers rather than the cardboard tags, they stay on! MIL writes directly on the wrapping with a sharpie, that works too.

greenlynx · 27/10/2021 18:48

Never.
I also try to combine 2 things together like watching TV and ironing/ washing dishes/ cooking so it looks more like listening TV then watching.

CiaoForDiNiaoSaur · 27/10/2021 18:48

@MagicWorkout

I never have nothing to do but I spend quite a lot of time doing nothing

Same. Maybe if I spent less time doing nothing I would run out of things to do and could legitimately spend time doing nothing

mamaduckbone · 27/10/2021 18:55

I never have nothing to do as we've just moved house, I have a full time job with lots of planning and prep to do at home and 2 teens. However, I make myself stop and don't generally feel guilty for it.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 27/10/2021 18:57

but I don't feel guilty about resting.
taking a break is not doing nothing. it's recovery.

stop feeling guilty, it's a waste of energy

Flip

1 2