A thread for anyone home alone this Easter weekend

[OpenPalm]

Does anyone want to check in with activities & ideas for afar they are doing, if they find themselves alone this weekend? Feels like it will be a long few days.

I am taking it hour by hour. Will read my book in the sunshine once I get out of the bath. You?

I'm not on my own but didn't want to leave this post unanswered.

What book are you reading? I'm on a great book thread on here that has some good chats about books. It has encouraged me to read more. The 26 books in a year thread.

I've just started Grace by Paul Lynch and looks like it will be a good one.

I also loved The Girl with the Louding Voice.

Do you have a plan for something nice to eat?

We don't have sunshine where I am and its very cold so I am envious of your warmth.

Thank you! I’m a bit depressed so I’m trying to identify nice things & get moving.

Will read that thread, it sounds fabulous. I’m reading Three Rooms by Jo Hamya.

No plans for nice things to eat but I am trying to gain control of my eating and I have sensory issues. Might toast some broccoli and add some seeds.

It has clouded over now & I’m still in the bath! Must move. Thank you for reply, I really appreciate it.

I hope the sun stays out for you, I will be on my own from tomorrow but working every evening over Easter so I will get out.
I struggle with food when I am not in my day job routine.

What else have you got planned, any films?

I’m planning a very quiet one OP. I do have one DC at home this weekend so not entirely on my own all weekend, they’re working and socialising. I’m not planning on doing anything with them apart from eating with them on Sunday evening.

I’ve opted out of visiting family this Easter as I feel like need a break and didn’t fancy the drive.

I’m thinking about walking to my local bookshop tomorrow to buy a new book, no idea what I want to read atm, I buy one book a month and use the library otherwise. Must do some gardening and a dump trip at some point.

Cooking an Indian feast on Sunday, I’ll freeze half of it.

Might walk to my local NT place one day, it’s about two miles away on my chosen route, I’ll have a cup of tea and a scone when I get there.

I’ve also bookmarked a new yoga plan I found on iFIT. TBH I bookmarked it three weeks ago but haven’t been feeling chipper so am yet to start.

I’ll try to find a play to watch too, if you like the theatre have a look at National Theatre Live. £10 a month form memory, I watch a couple of plays a month . I love the simplicity of the theatre, it’s such a different experience from anything else.

I’ve just googled your book, looks very interesting.

That's a good idea to find things that will make you feel good. I love broccoli.

My son has started going to the cinema on his own. Could that be an option? He said he wanted to see a film that no one else wanted to see, so he thought he'd go on his own. He had presumed he'd feel a bit Billy No Mates but he said he really enjoyed it, he wasn't the only one there on their own and found it very freeing and empowering. So, he now regularly goes to see a film by himself. I used to go to the cinema solo many years ago and it reminded me how much I enjoyed it then.

@SunshineandrainbowThank you re sun! It’s cloudy again but still pleasant. I made it out of the bath & tidied clothes away. Small steps. Work helps usually. I’m sorry you struggle with food, too. It’s the lack of structure. Film is a good idea. Will see what’s on at the cinema.

I’ve just made a big step to going to a big city tomorrow for a (minor) tv interview. It’s about work, nothing exciting, but means I will have to get my act together.

@MananaPenelopeHaving dcs can sometimes be lonely, too. My DC is coming for dinner tomorrow night or we might go out. At least DCs give food structure.

Love the idea of bookshop trip. Me too, gardening. Ooh NT is a lovely idea. Wow, you are a real culture vulture! Will think about theatre. That’s a great idea, yes, plays are sometimes more direct and I like some niche playwrights.

Food for thought! I already feel less lonely & more inspired. Thank you.

@BreathmillerYes, I didn’t think but things to feel good. Was just thinking about cinema. I have enjoyed a lot of films by myself in the past. My worry is that I will pig out on popcorn and rubbish. Maybe I can test myself and inverse myself in the storyline. Will see what’s on. It helps to get myself out a bit rather than look at the same 4 walls!

I’ll be alone mainly except I am looking forward to a lunch out with a friend tomorrow. Planning a nice browse around the shops today and a bit of exercise, I do wish the sunshine would return, maybe it will burn off. I’m enjoying the reading recommendations, also loved The Girl With The Louding Voice. No plans as of yet for Sunday and Monday but inspired by the Indian feast above so I might dedicated my time to cooking a nice meal.

The weather here has, predictably for the long bank holiday weekend, gotten really shit!
I’m going out shopping this afternoon and then planning on coming home and lighting the fire. Everyone is out and will be back for dinner which I will guess is going to be a takeaway…
Mainly though I’m looking forward to the fire and my book which is called something like The List of Suspicious Things, loving it so far!

Not alone but DD is in A-level revision mode so won't see her apart from meals and DH is still down with a chest infection. We may do a short stroll around the neighbourhood if he feels up for it.

I earmarked the days for paperwork, sorting out some financial stuff, going through old records, scanning where possible.

Also, some holiday planning.

In between I will read.

I completely meet your criteria. I am alone for the next four days.

For me Easter is a challenge, as is Christmas. I am alone and actively reinterpreting my life not as lonely but as autonomy. In reality, I have to manage the slumps where there is a need to be able to turn to someone with whom I have a connection, but of course, the reality is no one is present. Consequently, I get very overwhelmed. So my plan is give myself time to think, be kind when it’s a slump. The thinking time is setting up stuff to do but in small bite size goes, rather than getting overwhelmed and falling into a slump.

The stuff I’m doing over these 4 days are garden, house and hobby. Lots of little small jobs which will cumulate into something significant. The holiday is then a good experience. Can stand back and admire.

So here we go …

@OpenPalm , you are right about DC. I find it a tricky balance sometimes, being here so that I can actually see them and spend some time with them vs doing stuff in my own free time. As I’m happy to have a quiet weekend it isn’t a problem this week.

Do you enjoy cooking and could you cook when DC come? I love cooking, my Easter Sunday cook will be from Dishoom, a prawn koliwada, lamb raan, gunpowder potatoes, greens and chocolate mouse. That’ll take a few hours! I really enjoy cooking listening to an audiobook. DC1 has now asked if they can come for dinner with a couple of uni friends. I was cooking big anyway so I just won’t be freezing anything!

*Of course I meant immerse myself!

@Mirren22Sounds a lovely balance. Yes I wish the sun would come back out, too. Will go on a walk in a bit maybe with a podcast. Will look out for that book. I am thinking of making lamb for tomorrow with DC and then curry with leftovers if I can keep self controlled as I don’t want to eat chaotically.

@TheChosenTwoYes, groan, it was such lovely weather before. Enjoy the shopping. Oh I love fox sound of a fire. I have some logs that need sawing, may do same as you later. Your book sounds intriguing!

@reluctantbrit My DC too. Was doing childcare last week but now mine are with their dad. All good. Will make a special ish meal tomorrow night. Great idea, banking & statements… end of tax year, I did a bit as well. Might try to sell some things on Vinted later.

Wanted to send good wishes, @Friartruckster Yessss, we sound in similar places. I find Easter not as intense as Christmas but when I am alone it becomes a time for reflection and introspection. Like you, it’s helpful to have someone to turn to, but my problem is the balance. I need space but at the same time I need someone. A mass of contradictions!

Love your idea of setting up small tasks which add up to big things. I once fitted some shelves, organised my books, and painted a feature wall that way. This time, I’m not so sure what to do, but I’m looking forward to hearing about your achievements!

Thank you @MananaPenelopefor understanding. Sometimes just knowing someone else is in a similar position can help chug things along a bit. I do enjoy cooking and was thinking of slow cooking lamb tomorrow while I am out so DC can help with salads and flatbreads in evening. Think that will be a good thing for us both to do, and maybe a film.

Wow, you are all helping me to achieve things! Sometimes I freeze in terror at the thought of another day alone but it’s funny how sharing thoughts with a bunch of strangers can help to focus the energy in other places.

How has your afternoon been @OpenPalm

I get the needing space but also contact, probably why I have never wanted to live with current DP of 15 years!!! I can keep it all at arms length 😄

Talking of cinema I often go to the theatre on my own, we have one 10 mins away. I book way in advance and book one of the few £13.00 seats at the end of rows in the circle. Says limited view of elevated scenes but I have never missed a thing!

I'm alone but then again I'm always alone. But I'm one of those very self sufficient types though who loves being alone so i'll be spending this weekend on long walks (with and without the dogs), reading, watching a few good films, playing computer games.
Only difference is I'll be doing it all with lots of chocolate!😅

Thank you for asking, @Sunshineandrainbow A little morose, if truth be told. I sat around reading and doom scrolling for ages, then looked up some stuff about a conspiracy theory I was once interested in😂Decided to buy the lamb and had a little drive. I bought myself some pot plants: geraniums and ranunculus. It started to rain so wasn't able to put them in pots today, but I prepared the lamb and that kept me occupied a bit.

Yes, me too with DP. In fact mine is in a different country! It is refreshing to have the space, but sometimes also difficult. I chatted to him as I prepared the lamb, and we will have a video call in a few minutes. Oh yes, someone else mentioned the theatre and I meant to look into that today. I paid for limited view seats for musicals in the West End and they were always perfectly fine! Thank you for this reminder.

First day of long weekend nearly done!

Hello - this thread just caught my eye as I’m on my own this Easter, and probably for quite a few Easters going forward. I’m getting divorced and my teenager is away with some friends this weekend, plus they are heading off to uni in September. Empty nest looms, so I’d best get used to it! And the dogs are with my ex til Monday. My plans for the weekend are mostly sorting and packing for my house move in early June. I’m currently sat on the sofa wrapped in my cosy heated blanket and watching Grand Designs. Will head off to bed in a bit to listen to my slightly annoying audiobook. Have a CrossFit class tomorrow morning and might sneak off for a sea swim with some local pals. And going for a walk with my rambling pals on Sunday - weather looks quite nice so I’m looking forward to that.

Actually, I feel a bit better now that I see all that written down! I was feeling a bit desolate but it seems I have quite a lot on, and am seeing quite a few people, which is good. I go a bit strange when I feel isolated.

Nice to hear what others in similar situations are doing. I might buy myself an egg too!

@henlake7 I've noticed that a few of us have this sort of life! I normally enjoy the solitude and peace - especially in holiday time from work - but it feels very long this weekend! I do the same as you, many walks, books, a few films. Ha ha yes chocolate would be good! I am resetting my diet and trying to sort of detox myself a bit. Too much indulgence lately!

I won't be on my own as such, but DH is 12 hour nights all bank holiday weekend so will be sleeping.

Probably just end up doing laundry.

Hello, @ithinkicanithinkican Welcome! I'm glad I started the thread now. I'm sorry about the divorce. That was my situation, it's been a long time now. I found it very hard at first and used to just drink too much wine all the time, but then learnt that self-preservation was needed. It can be an odd existence. Looks like a few of us on here have DCs off to uni in Sept, too, and/or doing A levels. I was stressing out earlier over how much mine will be around after the last exams in June. Although I crave company, it's difficult sharing the space again!

Writing down things to do can be helpful. You have some lovely things to look forward to. I would LOVE a sea swim, and meeting rambling pals sound fun. I think the trick is to have one or two things involving others lined up, so that you look forward to being alone again (don't forget to leave a light on for yourself to come home to if you go out in the evenings). I definitely go strange when I am isolated!

@MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel Oh yes, I used to sometimes have weekends like that when I was married. It used to be kind of nice to just eat what I fancied, and yes, great time to catch up with laundry. Can we tempt you with a film or book, too? :-)