If you had 3 hours to yourself every afternoon - what would you do

[NoStrangertotheRain]

Empty nester. Wfh - finish at 3pm, DH gets home around 6.15pm.

Have 3 hours to myself, 5 days a week. How would you fill them?

Paint.

Id love tohave a sceduled time.

My husband would go for his circular walk

Walk, read, bake, do some gardening, have a leisurely bath, do some chores to save time that we could spend together, sit in a coffee shop, see friends, watch a movie (tv or cinema), go and have a beauty treatment.

I'd arrange all my little scraps of writing and poetry that are in random diaries and on my phone and compile a book of poems that I'd type on my typewriter. I'd organise all the family photos I've taken that are saved on my laptop and print out and create album after album. I'd read more, paint more, exercise more, bake, walk, meditate, beautify my home, self care... Clearly this overworked and time poor mummy needs a break. *Sigh 'twas nice to fantasise whilst it lasted! Enjoy your time!

Sing! I've stated taking vocal coaching lessons every couple of weeks, but I practice every day usually for an hour or so. 3 hours would be ace!

Definitely get my exercise in followed by a small reward eg reading in the bath or in the coffee shop

Enjoy your time!

I know - I need to come up with a plan!

Mention of a typewriter has made me all nostalgic 😊

For me, declutter

Eat crisps, watch something on Netflix and nap! Not everyday mind but that would be number 1 atm.

This time of year id watch a crappy hallmark Christmas film and have a nap

Gym, hobbies, walk the dog, little nap, bit of shopping. Anything I fancied really.

Anything but clean!!!!!! I work weekends so have two days off during the week where the kids and dh are out and I make sure I get a lovely walk with the dog and some reading time/ tv time/ write/ make something on top of all the cleaning/ washing/ running about. It’s what makes life life!

Currently? Doom scroll, drink tea, eat biscuits and watch Netflix. Basically chill out and indulge in not having to be constantly “productive” !! 😂

It depends what you like doing OP. Do you enjoy classes? Maybe yoga, pilates or even meditation? Or perhaps something with a tangible “end point” like pottery painting or something creative? I would encourage you either way to find something for you that feels like special time for yourself.

Housework, gardening, 45 mins of yoga.

would leave the evenings free.

Oh my god I’m jealous. I can’t remember the last time I had 3 hours to myself.

I’d definitely prioritise exercise. Beyond that I would bake, read, watch TV, embroider, declutter, plan holidays, do DIY, sit on the sofa in silence with a cup of tea!

dog walk and yoga

Another envious one here! 3 hours a week let alone a day sounds like heaven to me!

I would go for a long nature walk and afterwards sit in cafes reading books. Or bake at home with some comfy music (into old 20s, 30s songs at the moment), or do something creative like write, paint or knit.

I'm quite boring but I do love these simple joys.

Long walk followed by cup of tea and a book.

Study. Probably an Open University history module.

When I was part time at work for a while, I pursued sex with strangers. I’ve always much preferred daytime sex, and there are cheap daytime only prices at a range of surprisingly nice hotels. But that would rather depend on your dp’s views.

Sleep. But I'm pregnant and I have a toddler so that's all I want to do anytime.

Sleep.
I have narcolepsy though 😂

Exercise, knit, experiment with a new baking/ dinner recipe, practise an instrument/language (or other hobby).

I would probably make sure that I don’t slip into doing general house cleaning or laundry and really take time to enjoy things i’m interested in.

i quite like structure too so might be tempted to allocate one of the above each day, but also be prepared to deviate if something else pops up 🙂

Half my nest is empty and I'm a single mum. As well as all the ideas upthread like gym, dog walks and generally just giving yourself time, I've been trying out loads of crafts. You can get a simple starter pack for most things and it's really rewarding to create something.

OP I agree with all the others exercise, rest, hobbies etc.

but… I also think with that mucn time available every day I would think about doing something more structured, volunteering, or supporting another local cause or something, depending on what’s going on near you.

I do have this.Depending on mymood I go to the yoga studio, walk the dog in the woods or town (if town look in dog friendly shops), sort garden , bake or prep meals and I'm now planning a set afternoon a week where I sketch.Bought some paper and fineliner drawing pens online this morning.Sometimes I make a cup of tea and give myself an hour watching TV or a film. Practise some yoga inversions whilst watching TV.I tend to see friends at the weekend so like to do things alone in the week.

I’m my situation right now with three kids and a full time job, I would tell myself I’d get all the jobs done but I would actually sit on the sofa watching TV and eating snacks! I would then feel really guilty about this because I know I should be productive.

I would like to think that I would finish my painting by numbers, do some sorting in the house, do some cleaning.