If you're single what do you do at the weekend?

[Sunflowers76]

When DC at his dad's I feel like I don't know what to do with myself. Spent all day yesterday by myself and will do today as well. Its pouring with rain. I just don't know how to fill my weekends.

@Sunflowers76 when you search out in your town and click the 'socials' tab. I'm out just now but when I get home I'll screen shot the steps if you want 👌🏻

@SpringIntoChaos yes please!

Alone now for 56 hours...anyone fancy a chat? Tell me about your weekend and what you've been up to :)

I started volunteering. I’ve met some really lovely people and made a couple of good friends. Also feel like I’m making a difference.

@Scruffle that sounds great, what kind of voluntary work is it? I've thought about volunteering in an animal sanctuary before

I’m married but do lot of things independently- park run, swimming, coffee and a book, DIY/decorating, gardening, exhibitions, see friends.

@Sunflowers76 it’s with a local outdoors childrens club. They hold ASN sessions at the weekend. We do den building, campfire cooking and forest play.

Posted too soon, sorry.

I was a bit unsure at first if volunteering was for me. I started helping at a Rainbows group first, then school PTA but this works much better for me. I really enjoy it and I think it shows.

If you fancy it I’d say give it a go.

I’m married with a DD now, but back when I was single: computer games and knitting.

I still do that, time permitting

I’m single and childless. Sometimes I will meet up with friends for coffee, for lunch or a night out. I work long hours in the week so catch up on laundry/ housework etc and usually go to the shops. Sometimes I do some batch cooking. If the weather is nice I may go for a walk or cycle. If the weathers crap (and it usually is!) I will often spend a significant part of the weekend binge watching TV series, playing computer games or reading.

I would give anything to have weekends to myself but my ex won’t have the kids. I would date, chill out, sleep, meet with friends, find a hobby, do all the things I can’t do when they are here

Things I would do if I got a whole weekend off- Exercise, batch cook, clean, see friends, long bath, hairdresser and other appointments, massage, deep condition hair, declutter home, organize life admin and paper work, make photo albums, watch Netflix, sunbathe, window shop, spa day, walk, cycle, paint YouTube tutorials, sew clothes that need mending, paint nails, paint kitchen, match Tupperware's and their lids, sharpen knives, iron, replace the water filter, clean oven, defrost freezer, face mask, floss, grow vegetables or plant bulbs, try a DIY paneling kit, replace lightbulbs that are gone, take back clothes to shops, sell things on eBay or Vinted, buy things on eBay or Vinted, laundry, get petrol, wash car, write a journal, do a self care or self compassion meditation on you tube, meditate.

I would make a to do list in the week while you're busy

OMG yes and DATE

Can I please please have some of your energy and enthusiasm 😂

just some ideas as I’ve no idea what kind of thing you’d like

Massive house spring clean and de-clutter

exercise (even if you don’t want to it’s great for mental health when feeling down)

go to parkrun (run or volunteer) or join a running club with a good social

sign up for events that are happening when your kids are away (half marathons, festivals etc)

visit family or friends who live far away

go for a swim

Download a dating app even if it’s just to see who’s out there

I rarely get a weekend to myself but if I did this is what I'd do:

Have a nice long lie in.
Make a delicious breakfast and have a coffee in peace.
Read.
Go to the gym or for a swim.
Get my nails done.
Maybe do a parkrun (not fit enough at the moment but I hear it's incredibly social as well as good exercise).
Maybe get on a bus or train and visit a city, take in the sights and explore places that wouldn't be suitable or interesting to dc.
Declutter and put a load of stuff on vinted.
Watch a film or box set.
Meet friends.
Cinema or theatre (never understand why people feel odd about going alone, you're not there to talk!)
Lovely bath, moisturise, and bed.

I'm not single but before I was married/had DC I lived alone for a decade. I loved my weekends. I made sure I had plans with friends for one day and had another day to myself.
On my day at home/to myself I would clean the flat (it was tiny so only took an hour really), listen to the radio, make myself a nice breakfast, batch cook, read, go for a walk and have a coffee, mooch around charity shops, bookshops, go to another part of London for a look around.

What stood out to me is you’ve said 50+ hours alone.

you need to change the alone bit.

message all friends and family within your driving/public transport travel distance and arrange to meet.

look for events going on locally this weekend - go to them. Chat to stall holders etc so you have conversation

go to an exercise class, speak to the teacher introducing yourself as someone new

spend time planning ahead for the next time you will have a weekend alone. Who is free to meet then? What’s on? If you go to a regular class people will start chatting to you.

it’s preferable to speak with friends or family but when I have weekends alone I’ll talk to anyone! Onpliment a mother on a cute baby, if I see an elderly person alone in the street (quite a few where I live) I’ll make a passing comment on the weather. Often many of them will add to that such as ‘yes glad all that rain from July is gone’ and a short conversation sometimes starts. Many older people in the UK are also lonely for different reasons to us single parents and so I try and make conversation where I can. I now visit an elderly neighbour for a cup of tea and a chat since her husband died (again I always passed the time of day when I saw them and this has now developed as she is also now alone)

I've thought about volunteering in an animal sanctuary before

Then do it, OP!

Sorry I should have added I do empathise and understand the hours stretching out before you and the missing your child. I find it crushing at times but have to be positive and push through that and try and make the best of it as I cannot change it

Yes, weekends can be particularly hard when you’re not happy with life,the old adage of keeping busy is so true

Every other weekend I do as little as possible I’m exhausted from work and to have nothing planned is bliss apart from a walk which I have to push myself to do

ds is now at an age where he makes his own plans

the other weekend see friends/family one day the next housework