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WWYD with no internet for a week, if you lived alone?

88 replies

Creeperofhabit · 23/01/2024 17:25

My friend's internet has been cut off because the provider have made a mistake (she told them she didn't want some extras on her sky tv any longer, but they've cut the whole lot off instead).

She can't work (health issues), lives by herself and doesn't see much of anyone. She relies on the internet to speak to her friends, use forums, watch her favourite TV, do hobbies, she also buys and sells things, now she can't do any of it for a week until they can put it back on.

She does have hobbies outside of the home, and a friend who lives an hour away who drops in sometimes, but due to the weather her friend can't visit and her hobbies (photography, magnet fishing, walking, fossils) are all not very accessible for now. She does live in a very picturesque part of the country though.

I've made a few suggestions. She's said she'll sort some things in her house but, she's quite organised and good at DIY anyway so doesn't have much to do to pass the time.

WWYD in her position? She says she's 'climbing the walls' after one day! I am two hours from her and can't visit because I've got a house move this weekend and will be working on the other days Sad

I know It's a 'first world problem' but I feel sorry for her as she's a close friend and has had lots of bad luck in life (is NC with family, has a lot of illnesses, a lot of bad luck generally recently so I'd like to help her pass the time but my mind's gone blank!

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 23/01/2024 17:27

I'd be quite happy reading all week tbh

Hatty65 · 23/01/2024 17:28

I'm a massive reader. I'd have no issue without internet for a week. She sounds quite creative with her hobbies - can she craft in some way?

bobomomo · 23/01/2024 17:29

Puzzles? Jigsaws or books.

Perhaps she could go out and take part in things in her community, many have "warm spaces" we have good, drinks, games etc and people can meet new people. Or perhaps the library at her nearest town. Or could she look at what else she can do, it sounds like she's capable so volunteering?

Aposterhasnoname · 23/01/2024 17:30

I’d read, crochet, play games that don’t need an internet connection, declutter, clean like a demon and almost certainly drink far too much.

Does she have a smart phone she can hotspot from?

PamelaParis · 23/01/2024 17:30

I would get extra data for my phone until the WiFi was back on.

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 23/01/2024 17:31

Reading, cooking, try a new hobby like sketching or painting, in my case exercise a lot, but she may not be able to do that.
I can always find things I need to sort through and chuck out, so that would keep me busy.

Rollercoaster1920 · 23/01/2024 17:31

Use her phone for things are really important to use the internet for. Otherwise read, watch TV, exercise, cook.

But you need to disengage a bit, surely she's capable of sorting herself out?

NetballHoop · 23/01/2024 17:32

Get a huge pile of books and read.

I kind of wish this would happen to me.

Mybestusername · 23/01/2024 17:32

I would use it as an opportunity to quit my internet addiction!

HJ40 · 23/01/2024 17:32

Not just a first world problem, but also a 21st century one 😂

Read books
Do puzzles
Write letters (yes really!)
Have a bloody good clear out
Phone people (as in actually talk to them old school style)
Take up cross stitch

MushMonster · 23/01/2024 17:33

Read, a lot.
Draw, paint, walk more, cook lots...

Mrsgreen100 · 23/01/2024 17:33

Radio 4 , and sleeping

FindingMeno · 23/01/2024 17:33

I would overeat massively and read till I feel asleep ( usually about 2 paragraphs)

Papyrophile · 23/01/2024 17:35

Does she drive? If it was me, I'd be going to buy some paint and do some of the decorating I have been putting off!

GaroTheMushroom · 23/01/2024 17:35

I had no internet for a week after some workmen cut through our cables, it wasn’t easy but then I have 4 kids (3 teens 😣) just me I would top up my phone so I have data?

Creeperofhabit · 23/01/2024 17:35

Thank you for all the suggestions! She drinks very occasionally but I must admit I suggested getting herself some good wine and pampering herself a bit. Good idea to look for some community groups. Yes of course she's capable I just felt a bit crap at not being able to suggest much, I don't have the best of imaginations!

She can't drive due to the medication she's on for her illnesses.

OP posts:
Creeperofhabit · 23/01/2024 17:36

She can't get it on her 'phone either because It's the same provider-I did suggest that, or buying a dongle!

OP posts:
HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 23/01/2024 17:38

If it was me, I'd spend some time each day at the library and/or coffee shop, using their internet, to keep up with e-mails etc. Walking there would also provide a bit of fresh air and exercise. Then at home I'd read, write, do handcrafts, declutter, maybe even do some housework!

Ponderingwindow · 23/01/2024 17:38

In reality, I would check into a hotel. Both DH and I wfh. It would be cheaper than missing a week from work.

but I really wouldn’t have trouble staying busy. I have a million house based hobbies. I love reading. Also have an old phone plan that no one offers anymore that provides me with an obscene amount of data so I could still get online pretty readily.

DiamondGazette · 23/01/2024 17:39

I would work on my to be read pile of books, do crosswords, start the cross stitch I was given for Christmas, batch cook food for the freezer, try my hand at painting, watch the afternoon movie on Channel 5, have long bubble baths, paint my nails, try out different make-up looks, organise my wardrobe.

Sprogonthetyne · 23/01/2024 17:40

Watch dvd's
Play old pc games on disks
Read books
Crafts
Go swimming
Have long baths
Bake
Sort/tidy
Go to library to use WiFi for essentials

Poptomato · 23/01/2024 17:41

I’d top up my phone and tether but as she can’t do that I’d get a dongle or different sim i could top up payg, as I wouldn’t want to go the week without.

KissTheRains · 23/01/2024 17:42

Head to Currys

Pick up a new 5G SIM card, doesn't matter what network.
Put some credit on it.
Shove it on my phone.
Use it as a hotspot.
Smash Garden Gnomes

Easy.

You could skip the last step, but I wouldn't, I'd recommend it for everyone as a hobby tbh

WhollyGlorious · 23/01/2024 17:43

I would read more. I’m teaching myself Latin so I’d crack through my text book on that as I can do entirely offline (I also have videos downloaded related to this I could watch). I have a Puzzler subscription so I’d probably do a bit more of that too, and a jigsaw puzzle.

I quite like embroidery too and never have the time, so I’d do more of that too. Between all that, I reckon I could easily pass a week.

NewKingontheBlock · 23/01/2024 17:43

This happened to me, I work from home as well so it had a big impact, honestly I was climbing the walls as well, it was like going back to the eighties and not in a good way, I couldn’t even watch my favourite tv shows as I watched them from my planner on the app so I was behind in my viewing so couldn’t watch the shows live as I hadn’t watched the previous episodes. The day I got reconnected I was so happy, you really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone!

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