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Original poster

Anyone else just enjoy the simple pleasures, to not always have things planned and rushing around doing things?

109 replies

Cv8 · 08/04/2023 12:12

I've a busy job, I'm also an introvert and need a lot of down time. I've had a week off work and have just really enjoyed having down time, reading my book, a nice walk every day, just a couple of lunches out with friends/ family. I live alone and like my own company. I've a hobby I love that I do once a week. A couple of different people had asked me what I'd planned for my week off and were a bit surprised when I replied "nothing". I'm someone who needs a lot of down time to recharge. I've a holiday booked for later summer but absolutely no desire to go away now.

Anyone else like this?

OP posts:
EssexMamisoa · 08/04/2023 22:47

CrotchetyCrocheting · 08/04/2023 12:29

I find this too, that it's hard to answer what have you been up to etc without feeling like a boring bastard. I love being at hone just pottering about. I'm big into gardening, crochet, reading, solo dog walks in the woods, I just like peace and solitude. I'm only mid 30s though and feel like a complete loser if I say that my favourite thing to do is potter about the garden with the dogs trailing me.

Show quote history

I normally just say “I had a much needed chilled weekend.” I don’t think anyone at my work particularly cares about my weekend anyway - they’re just asking to be polite!

No one seems to have clocked yet that I have a much needed chilled weekend every weekend 🤣

HubertTheGoat · 08/04/2023 22:50

Hollyhead · 08/04/2023 12:19

Me! I find the schedules of some people’s annual leave mind blowing, they take their children out every day! When is the downtime?! We don’t do nothing, the two week Easter holiday will include seeing grandparents, a museum trip, a cinema trip swimming, and a couple of trips to play areas but I think that’s more than enough getting out and about!

Oh I'd love nothing more than a day or a few days to myself pottering about but with small children? Absolutely not! I have to get out and about or the days completely drag.

octoberafternoons · 08/04/2023 22:52

I could have written your post, OP. Also currently have a week off and it's lovely not having plans as a contrast to my working life that is all about structure and things happening at a specific time.

Today I went on a long walk, popped into the shop for a few essentials, tidied up at home, watched TV and read my book. Tomorrow is looking much the same.

Goldenbear · 08/04/2023 22:53

In theory I think yea it is a good idea to be relaxed about the day and I like listening to Radio 4 and programmes on there but for some reason this isn't really legitimate thing to do unless you are doing something else like cooking. However, then again I end up staying in too much when I apply no pressure to myself and I feel I am missing out on life. I become quite a slob and it is not good for my personality.

grayhairdontcare · 08/04/2023 23:02

My life is the same ... I call it JOMO
The joy of missing out.

Ffswhatsthepoint · 08/04/2023 23:19

I have a very busy job and I will often work from 6.30am until 6/7pm. And not from home. I'm starting 10 days off from tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it so much. Ive got days out planned with my kids but I'm not seeing anyone else. We won't go out everyday, it's unnecessary. But we will cook, make and create fun at home instead. My kids are my world, and that's my fun time.

I've become allergic to people generally. And friends who need to go out all the time etc...I've distanced from. My recharge comes from solitary. Not company.

NurseCranesRolodex · 08/04/2023 23:19

I've come to realise that I really need to do nothing for large chunks of spare time. I love pottering around my home, moving things around, cooking, light housework and reading, Internet browsing, being in garden. Might go for walks with a friend, coffee or lunch but mostly I need to not have plans, I just find the pressure of worrying about forgetting plans or not knowing what to say overwhelming to the extent I can't enjoy the time leading upto a bigger arrangement. So, accepting that good MH, being calm and happy on my own if I want is an option is amazing. I love finding threads like this to affirm I'm not alone.

Thisgirlcan21 · 08/04/2023 23:52

Yep love chilled time off. I have children and think they need down time. I don’t want to be rushing to clubs/hobbies every day. This week we have met friends once, bike rides/dog walks/popped into town it’s been lovely. I used to have a job that involved a lot of driving now enjoying less rushing!

MrsCharlesFrere · 09/04/2023 00:30

A well meaning relative stages a sort of intervention this week telling me that one day I will be old and when I look back at my life I will regret those wasted days doing nothing. He then offered to pay for me to go out more Confused

My days centre around music, reading, gardening, watching the birds, a bit of tv and social media and I am very happy. My family think I'm having some sort of a breakdown because I don't want to DO lots of things.

CallieQ · 09/04/2023 00:36

HungryMum101 · 08/04/2023 12:22

Yes, I love to just see how each day unfolds.

This ❤️

AltheaVestr1t · 09/04/2023 00:53

OH and DD are relentless do-ers and always have to be going somewhere or seeing someone. Normally one day of the weekend I pack them off somewhere together - I'm happiest when left to my own devices for a few hours to potter, read my book and have a quiet nap in peace!

Thesharkradar · 09/04/2023 00:54

Me too, love to freestyle according to how I feel, I have more than enough home solitary based things to keep me amused

Exhibity · 09/04/2023 01:04

I'm the same, if I have plans , say on a Sunday, I consider half my weekend wasted because I haven't had 2 days to myself. I think I've become more like this since the menopause.

MyMachineAndMe · 09/04/2023 01:46

Our whole household is like that really. We rarely ever plan trips out, most of our holiday days are just spent at home with the radio on either in the kitchen or the garden. The dc will go out to play if they choose and are mostly happy to make their own fun. I like to think it makes those bigger days out more fun and memorable.

magicthree · 09/04/2023 04:09

Me - I hardly ever go anywhere (apart from work, and I'm counting down to retirement) or do anything and I'm perfectly content. People these days seem far too busy.

whatisforteamum · 09/04/2023 05:12

Exhibity...yes the menopause has made me want more me time too.

mjf981 · 09/04/2023 05:33

Me too. I have an exhausing job involving appointments with 20-30 people every day with the general public. 48 hours of talking to nobody is my idea of bliss. I'd happily never go to another 'event' again in my life...I'm starting to think I'm actually a closet hermit and should throw everything away/sell up and go live off grid 😕

Giggorata · 09/04/2023 06:22

Me too. I always felt frustrated that I was never able to spend much time in my house, always rushing around to meet the demands of work and no free time in my so called free time.
Retirement has allowed me to revert to my preferred semi nocturnal way of life and pottering habits.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 09/04/2023 06:50

Love it. I'm busy all the time with work and DC and the animals. I love time off to do nothing. Although it's not nothing. I'll usually garden, bake, read, walk the dog, catch up on TV I don't have time to watch. I will also often get jobs ticked off the to do list, which doesn't sound relaxing but makes me feel so much more relaxed the rest of the time, because now they're not niggling at me.

I spend all my time around people or talking to people or looking after people. Alone time is essential!

RomanticizingHeroine · 09/04/2023 06:55

This used to be perfectly normal.

Goodyetalso · 09/04/2023 07:12

I am very like this too. I am not keen on Doing Things and don’t really understand people who like being out and about doing organised fun as much as possible. And they probably don’t understand me either.

Oblomov23 · 09/04/2023 07:25

Me too. I love going to parties and meeting up with friends for curry and wine. But the rest of the time I like doing nothing. Suits me. I'm am Ambivert, I like both : outgoing and social, like my own time alone.

mamaduckbone · 09/04/2023 07:28

Me, 100%.
I've just had a week of school holidays and I've pottered in the garden, seen a friend for coffee, spent a bit of time with my mum, read, walked, and rewatched Fleabag.

My dcs are now teens and appreciating the chance to chill and do their own thing. This is the first year that we haven't been away in the Easter holidays, even for a couple of days, and it's bliss, after years and years of spending holidays being busy busy busy with the children to give them a good time.

mamaduckbone · 09/04/2023 07:30

RaraRachael · 08/04/2023 12:36

I've recently retired and am loving having time to myself. Previously I was rushing around getting everything done at the weekend ready to go back to work on Monday. I'm happy with my own company, but still see workmates in their days off.
My mother was almost hyperactive and had to be busy every moment of every day and I think a bit of that rubbed off on me.
She used to call her friend a lazy cow because she would sit in an afternoon and read a book or do a crossword while she was flying around cleaning stuff she'd already cleaned.

My mum is like this too. She's 90 but still won't sit and read a book in the day, and 'hasn't got time' for this that and the other that I might suggest!

WordtoYoMumma · 09/04/2023 07:37

I am trying to teach myself to love this 😂 I have a term time only job and kids are the age where they keep themselves busy with friends, eldest works etc, and I am at home on my own! I don't have many friends who are off in the hols and DH doesn't take much time off.
I don't really have any money to take up an interesting hobby which might get me out the house so increasingly I find the holidays so boring. I'm looking for a year-round job at the moment as I think I'd rather be working!!

I used to love school hols with the kids, we'd be busy and active and meet up with friends and other kids etc, but now it's just lonely ole me 90% of the time