As a single woman, what sort of things do you take yourself out to do that your friends usually do with their DH/DP?

[BellaJoob]

I feel I'm missing out being long term single. Am also a single parent, but have some free time to myself.

More often than not, friends are tied up with their DH/DP or simply not interested in the same things as I am. Currently trying to extend my social group.

Most of my mates are single parents or single. I got bored of listening to people complain about their partners!

so I do stuff with them. Gigs, gym, drinks, that sort of thing. I’m in a political party so campaigning too.

Do you mean solo? I go to the theatre and cinema by myself fairly regularly. Comedy/music gigs if it's someone I really like and cba to scrabble round looking for someone to go with.

Nothing, I know it’s popular on here but I would never go to the cinema or a restaurant alone.

I am not single but my DP works away and no kids so spend a lot of time alone. Today I've been to the gym, browsed in a book shop and bought some books, and been to the cinema by myself. Tomorrow I'm going to the cinema again (just because there's a few things on I want to see) and then meeting a friend for dinner.

All sorts - various sports clubs. I'll happily go to the cinema, to gigs, for meals, etc on my own.

Singlemum 53, I go to the gym pool, alone ,..
I go to lectures/ cinema alone.
Tripsto London to meet friends.
Walking group.
Political campaign group

Lots of shopping/ garden centres / walkx round town. Mostly see unhappy couples and think thankfuck I'm single!

Sometimes the pub to watch footy' no qualms about going alone.

I'm not single but am 57 with grown up children and not many friends. I was let down at the last minute last year and ended up going to a local music festival on my own as I really wanted to see the bands. I had a much better time than I thought I would too. I'd definitely go again if I felt where I was going was safe and well lit walking back to my car alone.

Thanks for the replies. Political campaigning! Now that's a thought. I'm going to do some research and join up.

And yes to PP, I do mean by myself. I do most of the things mentioned on here by myself, but feel a bit self-conscious about doing stuff which couples only seem to do together.

Would love to go to the pub, watch the footy and have a cheeky pint @Cicciabella I do worry about being judged. I'm 10 years younger than you, though by now I really ought not to care what people think of me.

Everything but not pub or bar as too much hassle

not a fan of eating out anyway

but when I was in London, theatre, ballet

now it’s more local cinema or any activity really.

Same

I have no problems going to the flicks by myself and frequently see other women there doing the same thing.

I’m also happy taking myself off to a cafe for coffee by myself, going to museums by myself, gardens etc. It’s been many, many years since I’ve perceived a stigma for doing so, although I’m a bit of an introvert so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

I should add that I would do these things with other people, not just solo, but I realised that I could sometimes be waiting around for a long time for someone to be free.

@WinterSnowFox How long have you been single for and how old are you? I'm interested to know what your reasons are for not doing anything solo. You only live once!

Have you tried using MeetUp to extend your circle?

I go to the cinema alone often and really like it. I also go for walks alone but not as long as if I've got someone to go with. Just a couple of miles.

I do everything on my own! If I didn't, I'd never do anything!

I've not been to watch football in the pub alone, have no interest and I think I would be a bit intimidated.
But I've been to watch F1 alone and it's been fine though.

Theatre, cinema, restaurants, sports etc I prefer to do alone these days. Just used to picking my preferred seat/day/time and not having to wait on anyone.
(I do behave normally when I go with friends, I just don't ask people to do things as often anymore).

@GoingForARideThat is exactly why I'm grabbing life by the horns. I can't live my one precious life waiting around for someone to save me from feeling awkward going it alone, female friend or male partner.

Call me unconventional or a stark raving lunatic, but I'm going to start taking myself out more and learn to not care less.

@Pocketfullofcloud I am using that, as well as attending community based group every so often.

I used to go to gigs on my own and museums too. Sometimes coffee and cake out. Never dinner or the cinema though!

I echo pp try meet up - there's lots of events like talks and boardgame clubs etc.

7 years but I have children so no need to do anything alone and I don’t get free time anyway but even before children I never went to cinema or restaurants alone I see those as social events personally. Never been to them alone only place I go alone is shopping

Go to cinema
Go to the pub with a book
Explore towns / cities on foot
Museum - take as long as I like looking at odd things
I have also travelled alone, once on organised trip (Africa) and once just me and a guide book (SE Asia)

Solo can mean freedom

@jay55 What about going to the pub would intimidate you? I've been in before alone, only for one or two quick drinks. Had curious eyes on me, men on their own standing at the bar making small talk with me and that's about it. I think that I come off as quite androgynous in appearance and personality though, unsure whether or not that makes a difference.

I am long-time married, but we're not joined at the hip. I regularly go to the theatre, cinema and art galleries in my own. Or to watch sports, especially tennis. Probably once year I have a solo holiday, usually a London city break. I also volunteer. We do plenty of things together, but we have different interests, so it's important that we both make time for those. It doesn't matter whether you're single or married - just do the things you enjoy. Life's too short not to!

I look at OS maps and drive out to the countryside to do random walking routes. To be honest I've never asked anyone if they'd like to join me because I like to walk at my own pace, getting lost in my thoughts.