Sudden freedom- WWYD?

Sparkesy · 2023-08-26T06:37:55+00:00

If you went from married with kids to the sudden freedom of being single with no responsibilities for your adult children, what exciting things would you do? Resign from your job and work abroad? Hit me with your incredible choices and opportunities!

pilates · 26/08/2023 07:42

It depends what my financial situation was like. If money was no object, maybe some cruises.

Lucyboat · 26/08/2023 07:43

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coodawoodashooda · 26/08/2023 07:43

I don't understand why being single means freedom?

Original poster

Sparkesy · 26/08/2023 08:13

Freedom as in not sharing a relationship, house or responsibilities for or to others,
In a marriage/relationship I wouldn't expect the other person to up and leave without regard to me.
I'm thinking of longer term adventures and opportunities that might be out there

OP posts:

Lucyboat · 26/08/2023 08:14

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DisforDarkChocolate · 26/08/2023 08:16

I would take the opportunity to work away from home. My work is largely remote so I'd go and work in other places for a while.

Saverage · 26/08/2023 08:17

Whatever you like doing, you just get to do more of it, as you might have more time and money (depending on how much of a knock your income takes by being single)?

I am single and childfree so I guess in that situation though without the prior husband and children. I have worked abroad though am in my 50s now and wouldn't fancy that so much now. If I didn't have pets myself I would do housesitting through a housesitting site, so I could visit different countries and cities cheaply.

When not working I do art, reading, walking, laying around in bed looking at the internet, going to the theatre at the last minute (cheaper tickets), eating out with friends. I also did a second degree in my 30s in something I really wanted to do (Fine Art).

MamaSharkington · 26/08/2023 08:22

Money no object?

Get some therapy. Write a bucket list of what I want to do and crack on. Including easy win day trips, holidays, goals that might take a few years to achieve. But not change everything all at once, making slow and purposeful changes. Build life as I want it.

New house as i want it. See my friends. Go on holiday to places i want to visit. Fun car eg convertible. Reduce hours at work and pursue time consuming hobbies (if i had them). See my adult children as much as possible (suiting both me and them, not overdependent). Say yes to opportunity. Enjoy life but also allow enough space for downtime and reflection (no emotional avoidance via activity). Probs something give back to community.

Awesome fantasy exercise, thanks op.

MamaSharkington · 26/08/2023 08:29

Cross post - longer term adventures or opportunities?

Study abroad, work abroad, volunteer abroad (VSO type is good, share your talents and skills). Adult gap year! Travel in a overlander or cruise?

Physical challenge eg marathon or weight-bearing challenge.

What's your passion? What did you enjoy doing as a child? Could be a mental adventure not a physical one. Or creative adventure.

What's your Eat Pray Love OP? I might not bother with the love though!!!

Original poster

Sparkesy · 26/08/2023 08:30

MamaSharkington · 26/08/2023 08:22

Money no object?

Get some therapy. Write a bucket list of what I want to do and crack on. Including easy win day trips, holidays, goals that might take a few years to achieve. But not change everything all at once, making slow and purposeful changes. Build life as I want it.

New house as i want it. See my friends. Go on holiday to places i want to visit. Fun car eg convertible. Reduce hours at work and pursue time consuming hobbies (if i had them). See my adult children as much as possible (suiting both me and them, not overdependent). Say yes to opportunity. Enjoy life but also allow enough space for downtime and reflection (no emotional avoidance via activity). Probs something give back to community.

Awesome fantasy exercise, thanks op.

Loving how comprehensive this is

OP posts:

Original poster

Sparkesy · 26/08/2023 08:32

MamaSharkington · 26/08/2023 08:29

Cross post - longer term adventures or opportunities?

Study abroad, work abroad, volunteer abroad (VSO type is good, share your talents and skills). Adult gap year! Travel in a overlander or cruise?

Physical challenge eg marathon or weight-bearing challenge.

What's your passion? What did you enjoy doing as a child? Could be a mental adventure not a physical one. Or creative adventure.

What's your Eat Pray Love OP? I might not bother with the love though!!!

If you are not a life coach Mama, you should be!

OP posts:

Jenala · 26/08/2023 08:37

I'd downsize my outgoings as much as possible in order to save for long term travel. Seeking short term work opportunities abroad to fund continued travelling. I'd relish not planning meals/cleaning/making appointments and just more generally considering someone else's perspective all the time - I'm a chronic pleaser which started with my mother in childhood, and I've been with my husband since 18 and while he's lovely I've def continued the pattern of making my own wants bottom and tending to cede to him, luckily he's not a bastard or god knows how life would be. But I regularly imagine what it would be like to just think about myself.

But tldr travel travel travel, cheaply if needed. See the world, I'm only on it for a bit.