Been given Mondays off. What to do with myself?

[greattaerg]

Hi,

My rota has been tweaked at work. I’m currently on sick leave following an operation but when I return the week after next I’ll no longer be working Mondays.

I am not really sure what to do with myself! I’ve got two friends who don’t work Mondays so I guess I can see them every now and then. No kids.

What would you do if you suddenly had an extra day each week?

Big house sort out, outdoor swimming in this weather, charity shop trawl in local towns with lunch as a treat, cross stitch or tapestry kit, volunteer for a morning somewhere, join a walking group, read, honestly I'd be spoilt for choice.

You would not be alone if all the local places you'd wished to visit you had never got around to going to. If they are open on Mondays, perhaps visit a few of those.

Or day trips outside school holidays, the weather is usually good in September, for example.

Monday is a great day to have off. Cinemas are often cheaper on a Monday.

look to see what your local leisure centre has to offer if you are sporty.

Check your library. Is there a book club.

Adult education community college. Do a course , explore a new hobby.

I don't work Mondays and love it. Normally get house tidied after school run and catch up on washing. Sometimes meet a friend or go shopping. Started swimming recently so go for a swim at lunchtime. Then home, lunch and sort sports kit for after school activities.

Some days busier than others but love having a day to myself. Work Tuesday to Friday and it's a good balance for me.

Assuming you can get about ok NT gardens, cinema, perhaps a trip to a nearby pretty high street with cafes and places to browse, local park, swimming, on bad weather baking or watching a film on Netflix, gardening, reading

I used to work a compressed week and had mondays off. I would have a lie in, do some allotmenting, go to a garden centre cafe and then buy some plants, go plant said plants, make and bake some bread, have a tidy up, a snooze, and just have a chilled out day.

Thank you for the ideas everyone. Please keep them coming.

I guess I’ll have to get used to my own company somewhat. Which is definitely not a bad thing. Just something I’m not used to!

Ive recently dropped Mondays too. I’ve started making clothes. DH working from home today and I really don’t like it.

It’s MY day, I’m allowing myself to do ANYTHING I want. It’s one day a week where I don’t judge myself and I only do what I want.
I only do what I enjoy. Seriously. If it’s not enjoyable, I’m not doing it that day, there are other days for stuff I need to do. Mondays I don’t NEED to do anything.

I’m looking after myself and spoiling myself as if it’s my birthday. 11.30 am bath? Go for it! Fancy trying new make up at some counter? I’ll do that. Read in bed till 1 pm and then go to the cafe in the park for a sandwich? Yep, I’ll do that.
I literally only have one scope for the day: to look after myself.

Today I went to the allotment, came home for shelter from the midday heat for a cheese and cucumber sandwich. Going to the beach at around 2.30, I’ll have a nap in the meantime. I’m not even emptying the dishwasher 😂

I get your concern if your not one to do things on your own, I like both but preference is to spend time with others. I find being around people uplifting even if it's not necessarily being with them if that makes sense. So going to the city, shopping centre, a walk around our town where someone might offer a smile or a hello. I have Mondays and Fridays off, one of those days tends to be house admin stuff, the other is whatever I need to keep my sanity. Most often that's the allotment or gardening, taking the dog for a long or new walk, afternoon bath, something practical like making something crafty or nature related.

I'd love to think I'd go to the cinema on my own but actually I'd be abit nervous about this, or sitting and having a coffee although I'd love to get to the point that I'm happy to do this and sit with a book without feeling self conscious. Join a group/hobby group is a good way to be around others aswell as having some time for the rest of the day to do other stuff. And of course meet with friends if available.