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 watching Yellowstone at the moment, so will probably binge a few episodes of that over the next few days.

Oooh, and the tesco shop comes too. All very exciting 🤣

I'm actually quite content with my own company, I don't get bored easily..

@OpenPalm Thanks for your friendly reply. Yes, having things lined up definitely helps! And not drinking too much for sure, it makes one rather melancholy. Plus I can’t stand feeling even slightly hungover these days! But I’m getting a bit lax on the eating too much sugar at the moment - the occasional treat is becoming rather too regular.

I'm alone, but with my young teen DS who is glued to his xbox playing with his friends.

I'm a lone parent, and am used to being on my own. When we're in the throes of school and work routine I positively relish downtime, am extremely introverted by nature, and can occupy myself.

Bank holidays, Christmas and Easter though,... I always get a little down. Just sort of accept it now.

Am trying not to worry too much in the future as DS's growing independence means more alone time, which panics me a little,... He's only 12 so still a few years to go.

Evening everyone, also checking in to see how you are @OpenPalm . Well done for pushing through your☁and getting out.

You will be fine once you're out of the other side @ithinkicanithinkican , also happily divorced with two young adult DC, I love my life on my own. One of mine is looking at renting a student flat with friends this year which will be good for them, the other is planning on a gap year but that seems to change by the day, so home alone is on my horizon too.

Not quite sure if I qualify as I live with my medically vulnerable, complex little one who is almost 5 but functions somewhere between 6 and 9 months, he's preverbal . Life is a bit hard at the moment as his health hasn't been the greatest and his sleep (and therefore so has mine, I've had 5 hours sleep in the last 48 hours) has been really affected. I have been dreading the long Easter weekend but am now looking forward to my DD and son-in-law coming to lunch on Monday and me and my small person are going to watch a vintage tractor rally as it passes by on Sunday.

@MananaPenelope Thanks - I hope so. The marriage was pretty distant over the last couple of years so I don’t miss him particularly, but the timing of the divorce and the looming empty nest means I’m suddenly very aware that I don’t have many people around me and there are a lot of nights in front of the TV. But I guess I’ll get used to it! And I am very much enjoying the lack of tension, arguments and stress. I don’t mind my own space - I’m just not used to having quite so much of it yet!

@Seawolves I think you can definitely count! That sounds very tiring. Glad you’ve got something nice to look forward to this weekend.

Hi all. A very gentle day. Lots of short 30 minute tasks. I find the top tip for me is to have prepped the next job when I finish the one in hand. When I have the inevitable slump, it’s easier to uncurl myself from it. I can avoid time filling activities that inevitably lower my mood. I prefer a slump over that, at least I’m day dreaming about what next.

I’m divorced nine years. I felt lonely in my marriage. This reality keeps my mood even. I don’t yearn for the past.

I will be mostly on my own. Focusing on small things - keeping my feet warm, cups of tea, books to read. Nice to have a thread to check in on - thank you, OP

I’m on my own too over Easter - I was happy to see this thread, thank you OP. Mostly enjoy my own company, but this one feels a bit tough

I’m also on my own this weekend, but then I’m always on my own. I’m a reclusive introvert with autism, so no friends, no children and never been married. It’s unusual, but it’s what I choose. When I was younger and undiagnosed, I assumed I was like everyone else and worked towards partnerships but with no luck or joy. I’ve been alone for 15 years now - I even work from home and am self employed. I have the most fantastic dog (as well as two guard-cats) who requires a lot of walking and interaction, and I’m lucky to live near the Pennines so tonnes of wild isolated walks. I spend my time cleaning, walking, cooking and reading and I never seem to have a spare second! If I did, I’d probably get on with arty crafty stuff (I don’t have a garden otherwise I’d be doing that). Not sure where this post is going, or whether it’s of any help to anyone. I rarely reach out, so this is very usual of me. Ho hum! Be your authentic self and all that, even if it the weirdest bloody thing out there! Good luck to all having a peaceful long weekend, I hope the cortisol levels are low 💪

I find your post so interesting and inspiring, I wish I could find my authentic self and at least try to live alone.
thank you for sharing xx

Just checking fellow Easterians.

Today I really appreciate the impact of a hobby. People sneer at them but I find a good hobby is a lifesaver when people aren’t about, and let’s face it, it’s not responsible to be entirely dependent on another to nurture/entertain and the many other reasons we seek out connection. So a good hobby offers connection in times of loneliness/solitude/aloneness. And this morning never have I appreciated my hobby more.

So had a very pleasant couple of hours fiddling and phaffing on hobby. Then tired/drained so under a blanket and a snooze/slump/day dream.

Now out and about gathering supplies for this afternoon’s 30 minute activities.

Top of the list for house, fill holes in walls with Polyfiller. Not planning on the ‘then’ otherwise I’ll get overwhelmed/lonely. Then I have a horrible slump. I’ve put out stuff in the garden to get started when I get home.

Sometimes when I read threads like these I wonder if it’s fake positive. My weekend is unfolding as kind of neutral positive. I’m aware of a drama unfolding in paradise involving relatives. Whilst I wish I had close family, the drama unfolding is another aspect of the reality. I can appreciate my neutral positive.

I’m appreciating reading the posts of others.

@whenallthesconesaregone great tag btw

🌷🐣

Hello Easterians! I'm in the major city having done my work interview I was so surprised, we had a great laugh and all went very well. Likely to lead to future work. It is really, really hard for me to do stuff like this as I also have ASD (waves to previous poster!) and I nearly ducked out this morning. So I am grabbing a late lunch and now catching up on this thread. I'm so happy I started it! Last night was on video call with partner as we do most nights so catching up now. Thank you for company, everyone!

Hello @FranFran53 welcome on board! This one does feel tough... Hope you are bearing up ok.

@whenallthesconesaregone I am a bit like you, introverted and with autism, maybe not as alone in that there are DCs and a few friends and working from home mostly. It's great you have pets and the Pennines. So many of us sound similar on this thread, your post is helpful in demonstrating that, and in reflecting that we are not alone, we are just loners :-D Authentic self sounds good. Cortisol low to middling.

@Friartruckster A hobby is super and nothing sneery here. Takes away isolation and adds interest and focus. Connection - love that word. Trying not to guess your hobby :-D Lovely to feel like you can take a nap under a blanket afterwards, too. Oohh house stuff is great progress. You could listen to a podcast to take away any slump potential. Neutral positive is me. On paper I sound lively and active but in real life I am morose and a bag of nerves and neuroses. Sorry for drama unfolding and wishing for a happier reality.

@semideponent Hello! Glad this is helpful and hope you are enjoying the creature comforts.

@Seawolves Your post touched me. Your little one sounds a poppet and I hope he loves the vintage tractor rally tomorrow. Great that your DD and SIL are joining you. I hope you get some rest in between and I am thinking about you & what a lovely Mummy you sound.

@MananaPenelope and others - thank you for checking in last night and seeing how I was.

Yes - divorcing people, it is much harder divorcING than it is being divorcED. I rather enjoyed unwifing myself and although it is lonely, it does feel like my DCs respect me now they understand why I did it.

Am thinking about winding my way home but it is sunny here and I want to pop into a museum. My lamb is slowly slowly very slowly cooking and DC is doing dinner with me later. Must not eat more sushi!

I'm really appreciative of all your posts. What a lovely group of people. Thank you. xx

@RavenT I didn't forget you! Same here, easier to have DC around and at school and with the routines. When it stops it gets kind of sad. Things will be good, your DS is only 12, there is a lot of growing and developing to do (for you both) before he will be in that space. It sounds like you are very engaged and he will be feeling that!

I'm not alone this weekend. However, I'm separated, and my 20 year old DD is living her best life (and rightly so) and is often out with friends or stays over with her boyfriend. So, sometimes I am alone and it can be lonely at times. For that reason, I didn't want to read and move on, without stopping for a quick chat..

I find going out helps - going out for a long walk or going out to a garden centre and having a coffee or whatever. When I come home, I'm tired out and happy to slump on the sofa in front of the TV or read my book. But if I stay home all day -doomscrollling-- I find it a bit depressing.

Gardening really boosts my mood too, although I usually have to push myself to get started. But once I get going, I like bringing order to chaos and I find myself brimming over with enthusiasm and planning new garden projects etc. I'm usually tired after all the physical work and fresh air and I sleep really well. Housework/indoor chores don't motivate me as much. The weather forecast is fairly dismal here though - hopefully it's better in the UK.

A good TV series or (even better) an uplifting movie can be a tonic too. I leave my own life behind for a few hours and get caught up in the lives of other people (albeit fictional people.

As for books, I'm reading 'A Kennedy Affair' by Emily Hourican. It's a little slow to get into and I keep mixing up two of the characters.

Agree re: gardening. Also using it as an opportunity to do chores this weekend.
I would absolutely love a dog at some point, but work commitments mean it isn't right for now.
It's strange isn't it. I was desperate for a break from work. Then I often get a bit down during these breaks. I find short breaks more difficult- a longer one (say 2 weeks) and my mind allows me to calm to the new pace and to accept (enjoy even) the quietness.
'All the colours of the darkness' by chris whittaker - reading this and would 100% recommend.

Such a lovely thread OP.

While I’m not alone this weekend, I’m often on my own as an empty nester and a DH who works away often. I enjoy my own company but some days are long. I do agency work so it can be long days waiting for the phone to ring.

I need to create more of a life for myself now - your thoughts have been invaluable and got me thinking.

We had another rough night but after a nap this morning he woke up seeming more perky so we went out for a walk. He loves being outside and we have a really good offroad wheelchair which means we can get most places, today one of our footpaths was closed due to cattle being on the land and the cows were right by the gate so I walked him up to the gate and explained that there were cows there which meant we'd have to turn back, right on cue one of the cows mooed a great big moo and my little one laughed which is amazing as a year ago he'd have cried with fright (he's blind so noises can be scary). We're now home and chilling out before bed.

Lovely to read all the messages - so good to realise everyone is going through similar but different stuff. Has made me feel much less alone - thank you all x

Hello everyone - nice to hear about your days. My CrossFit happened but not the swim - I don’t actually mind as it was really quite chilly today! The ex came round this afternoon so we could sort through some stuff in the big shed - then I took lots of things to the tip, which was immensely satisfying. I’m gradually getting through stuff to a point where moving and downsizing feels almost manageable. I’m enjoying the sense of lightening and freedom that comes from ridding myself of things, it’s sort of addictive.

@OpenPalm I’m so glad your interview chat went so well, these things can be hard when your introverted and/or neurodivergent.

@Seawolves Love the cows story, so happy that your child found it funny ❤️

Hi everyone, nice to see how everyone’s days have panned out. @Seawolves sounds like a nice adventure even if you did turn back.

I’ve been for a walk with a neighbour who I bumped into earlier and into a nearby town to try on a dress I’d seen. I went to the bookshop in the town I was in rather than where I live but they didn’t have the book I wanted and I came home empty handed (resorted to Amazon).

I thought about gardening, but it is a bit cold yet here (7 degrees as I write), too early for much in the way of planting, too cold for me to tidy it up today.

Quiet evening in with one DC here (in their room), but we’ll eat together in a bit and I’ve got half a play to finish.

I'm enjoying checking in and hearing how everyone is getting on. It's a mixed bag isn't it? I'm dealing with a bone fracture and some kind of gastric upset - forced to go slow! It is really good to connect with others who are figuring out how to fill the space and time. Love to all.

Hi OP. Your weekend of a book/the cinema and pottering sounds lovely to me. Which podcasts do you listen to?