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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:

Naimee87 · 09/04/2023 07:40

Yes me! I’ll workout at home or run most days. But generally in the holidays i wouldn’t plan anything and people at work are always astonished as they usually book trips abroad well in advance so every holiday is planned out. Me on the other hand maybe i’d do a day trip or two with DS if he’s at a loose end. But usually its me, the dog and the countryside. I have two part-time jobs and i’m still studying for a few qualifications for one of them and i really enjoy the reading that’s involved. I couldn’t bear the thought of having a jam-packed holiday or even a fully planned out weekend, i like to take the free time as it comes. I think a lot comes down to occupying/entertaining little kids and holidays/hotels offer clubs/activities i guess and then on the flip side being able to spend and enjoy time in your own company isn’t something a lot of people can do. I personally love it but then again DS and his friends also spontaneously descend on the place which i enjoy as well.

Cheesedoffandgrumpy · 09/04/2023 08:08

The thing is you are not doing 'nothing', and nothing is really hard to respond to in a conversation.

I am going to spend the week relaxin at home, reading this book I have been looking forward to. And I have planned a few nice lunches to catch up with family and freinds.

How lovely!

Timspam · 09/04/2023 08:19

My ideal day, no work obviously, pleasant weather, at home, the patio doors open. A spot of gardening with the cats helping us. Something cooking slowly in the oven, maybe a couple of drinks and a film to watch later. That's it, sometimes you'd have to pay us to go out these days. I'd want £5000 cash to go to a nightclub lol

Decafflatteplease · 09/04/2023 08:22

I've found my people!

Love nothing more than pottering around we are such homebirds, even when DH and I were young and prechildren our idea of a fab holiday was a cottage somewhere quiet where we can read books and play board games. Beachy, busy, boozy holidays just not our scene.

Now I love pottering around the house, I'm currently sat in the garden with my tea just enjoying the sun before we get ready for church etc.

With DC we have to get them out everyday for fresh air and exercise but often times it's just in the garden. We certainly don't have things planned all the time. DC love what they call a "onesie day" where we let them stay in onesies!

We've got a greenhouse it's literally my happy place. We really like simple pleasures and it's thankfully rubbed off on the DC!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 09/04/2023 10:09

I like a bit of both. I love planning stuff and doing things, but I can't over schedule, I need days where I can just potter about and chill. I think during lockdown, I discovered the joy of a day that just unfolded - there was nothing to plan.

Bunnyhair · 09/04/2023 10:30

My DH and DS (both autistic) would genuinely never leave the house if left to their own devices - my DH sometimes goes weeks at a time without putting shoes on. While I’m quite introverted, as these things go, their constant presence (and my DS’s needs) means that home is the last place on Earth I am likely to get a chance to recharge.

So I do really love getting out and doing things when I can, just for the sheer exhilarating novelty of encountering the world outside my front door.

When I hear about people’s action-packed holidays it does sound exhausting, but it also makes me unbearably sad for all the things I’ll never be able to do again.

Tidsleytiddy · 09/04/2023 10:43

I never plan much in advance. We are happy at home. My husband has a stressful job and I retired fairly early so just being indoors being left alone is bliss. We had frantic social lives when we were younger (separately before we met and together) and I’m glad all that’s in the past. No place like home

Fourfurrymonsters · 09/04/2023 10:50

Absolutely. My kids are young adults now and off doing their own thing but even when they were very young we never had frantic schedules as I honestly think it shapes kids into thinking you’ve got to be busy at all times to enjoy life. I’m a big fan of enjoying your own company and pottering about doing not very much with no pressure, if that’s what you like. I’m never happier than when I’ve got a day in the house, no plans and can enjoy walking the dogs and pottering about with my many hobbies or reading a book.
Each to their own though and everyone lives life in their own way!

SkiingIsHeaven · 09/04/2023 11:04

My husband always has to be doing something and wants me to join in. He thinks doing nothing is a waste of time but it isn't wasting time if you are doing nothing. I love doing nothing.

JonahAndTheSnail · 09/04/2023 11:08

I'm savouring the peace and quiet today and tomorrow as I've been working lots over the past few weeks and am completely peopled out. Having said that I do need to find the motivation to get my butt off the sofa and do a few bits around the house before I can go into full relaxation mode.

LadyMargaretDevereux · 09/04/2023 11:10

Totally agree with you. I'm sitting here having coffee with dh and ddog with the papers and no plans for the afternoon other than read my book in the garden. Blissful.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 09/04/2023 11:13

I love this thread, I never knew there were so many kindred spirits out there. I have to do some stuff today (laundry, mostly) as I'm going away next week, otherwise I would happily let the day drift past me. Like most Sundays do.

I have a friend who can't bear to be at home since lockdown, she's always running about. Theatre, galleries, concerts, trips away....I get exhausted listening to it all.

Tidsleytiddy · 09/04/2023 11:21

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 09/04/2023 11:13

I have a friend who can't bear to be at home since lockdown, she's always running about. Theatre, galleries, concerts, trips away....I get exhausted listening to it all.

Yes, this. I too have a friend who I think sees it as some kind of failure not to be busy planning things, visiting people, staying over night at their houses. No ta, not for me. I’ve done all that and I don’t believe I’ve missed out on too much. Just heaven having no pressure to be up and out and constantly on the go.

frozendaisy · 09/04/2023 11:40

We have normal weekends.
We love chilling in house as a family.
But our kids are young teenage now and after lockdown kept us grounded we also are booking holidays (not action holidays, not sure around doing nothing holidays but gentle see the sights).

We want to show the kids the world, impossible I know, but at least one country from every continent would be brilliant.

Kiki105 · 09/04/2023 11:49

It's so nice to read that so many of you are just like me! I've had my busy schedule of a life when my children were growing up. They're adults now, still living at home but off doing their own things so I can enjoy the pottering and my own company more. I've always hated socialising, particularly in big groups. I find myself being judgemental on myself; did I say/do the right thing, what are people thinking of me, do they enjoy my company, am I boring - it's exhausting. Getting older you learn to enjoy your own company more. I have a new partner but after 3 years together, I think I like my own space too much that I don't think we could ever live together.

girlfriend44 · 09/04/2023 15:12

Yes sometimes.

Zippedydoo123 · 09/04/2023 15:48

Pottering around is great at home. I see no need to rush about the whole time anyway being as work keeps me busy plus housework plus teenager I like to decompress and enjoy my own company.

Original poster

Cv8 · 09/04/2023 20:03

Wow, I didn't expect so many like-minded responses. Good to know I'm not alone.

OP posts:

LexMitior · 09/04/2023 20:08

Yes I'm one of life's potterers. Find it a good way to relax and unwind.

Being really organised on a weekend would be very stressful - that's too much like work. I prefer cooking, reading, spot of tea, take kids to their things, do a bit of what I like.

Bluebells1970 · 09/04/2023 20:13

We had a busy day Friday (not planned to be) and Saturday and today turned out the same. I'm grumpy, overwhelmed and peopled out. Thankfully DH is out playing golf all day tomorrow and I fully intend to bolt the back door and not see another soul.

SwimmingAgainstTheTides · 09/04/2023 20:26

I think a lot of people over complicated their lives with the desire to make life appear more interesting, especially to others, to show off on social media etc, as well as ethe constant need to escape reality. They don't find any value in the simple things.
I know people who get so stressed before they go away, and seem equally as stressed when they get back, what's the point?
I am more than content with a quiet simple life, l hate crowds, and miss my home comforts when away including my four cats. I do enjoy going out and visiting new places, but never at peak busy times like this weekend. It would be my biggest nightmare.

JamSandle · 09/04/2023 20:37

I really like both.

I really do love doing 'nothing' which in my opinion isn't nothing at all! It's just allowing yourself to be and soaking up life.

But as I suffer with anxiety and depression, I find a degree of structure, forward planning, goal setting and business crucial to my wellbeing.

Too much quiet time and my mental health can spiral.

So I really need a balance of the two to be at my best.

I also always enjoy coming home so much more once I've been out and made some memories.

KohlaParasaurus · 09/04/2023 20:52

I had decades of being busy at work and being busy at home and having very little time and no space of my own apart from in my car driving to and from work. I used to joke that when I retired I would learn how to do nothing, and that's what I've done. I used to joke about my parents always ploughing the same furrow regarding activities, shopping and holidays, but I'm starting to turn into them.

LemongrassLollipop · 10/04/2023 04:55

Relishing the slow living. This Easter holidays I haven't planned any days out. I really want to spend some downtime with the children, actually playing with them rather than rushing them around for the sake of activities. We've been to local craft fairs and parks but it's been chilled and full of family time. So lovely and if I've cooked, done some light housework and had loads of cuddles, that's a great day ❤️

'.... We do not have time to stop and stare ...' Kipling was right.

Beignet · 10/04/2023 06:47

I actually think this is the best way to live. I like living slowly and appreciating the small things in life.

I have a busy stressful job and I travelled extensively when I was younger. The children are now teenagers with busy social lives and I love just being at home. I'll potter around the house, doing the washing, taking the dog for a walk, taxi'ing the children around. We have been home over the Easter weekend and I have had no desire to go away.

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