To be thrilled at being left alone?

[TheFlandersPigeonMurderer]

DH and DS are both away at different events this weekend. DH goes Friday afternoon, back Sunday evening, DS goes Friday evening, back Sunday lunchtime. I am therefore totally home alone (apart from the DDogs) for nearly 48 hours.
People I’ve mentioned this to have in general been quite pitying, wondering what on earth I’ll do and whether I’ll be lonely by myself.
AIBU to look at them as if they are crazy? As a fairly antisocial person I literally cannot contain my excitement, though I’m still undecided about how to spend my time to it’s fullest advantage

I love being alone more and more the older I get.

I work in a very people orientated caring job and I really love it. I'm studying for a qualification connected to it and unfortunately the party line on the course is that you have to incredibly, full on, non stop sociable and extrovert to do the job.

You really don't though. I'm frustrated at the moment by the fact people who have some influence over my career can't see that people can have distinct aspects to their personality without being fake or schizophrenic!

I need time to myself and have 3 school aged kids and a husband at home and ten service users wanting my undivided attention at work - for me that means that on my study days I want to spend my lunch times alone and groan inwardly at yet more jolly bonding opportunities ...

Can you burn out not due to being over worked but being forced to be overly sociable?

Enjoy yourself; do whatever you want! Eat rubbish, have long bath, watch whatever you want on TV. This happens to me sometimes; I can have an extended time to do what I want and it does do me good. Hope you have a great time.

Oh my word! I would blitz the house to start with then I would settle myself on the sofa with a book and wine. I would do some
Telly watching as well and would watch whatever I want. I would have a bath I think as well. With candles and more wine.

In reality I would probably do a fair amount of anxious standing in a room staring around me wondering what to do with myself before doing some aimless MNetting and FBing.

You either get it or you don't OP! I can't explain to some people why I need time alone, and if I try to see it from the outside, I admit it might seem odd. But it's just heaven. For me it's just being able to think to myself in an open ended way, potter around and plan my time.

Since separating I do get to experience 24 hours alone every 2 weeks, and I think it's done wonders for my mental health. I know people think I should see friends and have nights out and I do occasionally, but it's hard to prioritise that over 24 hours blissful solitude.

Time for a bit of all three, surely? Nice long hike, bath day one. Then mini-blitz then sitting on your bum.

I'm envious. The best I can manage at the moment is a weekend with just my fiance. I'm only getting half of Sunday alone.

^ should say 'fairly regularly be away for a night or two a fortnight.

Reminds me actually I'm going back to work from maternity leave next month. I'm starting DD2 in nursery the week before for a couple of days to settle her a bit (DD1already goes on those days anyway) so I will have two whole childfree days. I said to DH that he should book one of those days of work so we could have a day together as a couple (very rare these days). And he said 'I can book both off if you like'. I had to tell him I actually didn't want him to have both days off as I was quite looking forward to a day to myself actually. I think I might have inadvertently hurt his feelings a bit.

Sheer bliss! A few years ago, DH used to go skiing with the older DC and leave me at home for a week with the littlies each year. That was great, no big meals to cook!
Once he took them all to MILs for a long weekend and I stayed at home because i was ill. I made a miraculous recovery the minute they left the drive. Three days of utter, housework free heaven.!

DH is going to the Metallica gig later this week and I was gutted at first because we couldn't afford tickets for both of us (£100 each!) but now I'm thrilled

He hasn't been out midweek and left me in the house alone since MARCH

Omg this sounds like heaven. I would literally spend half an hour doing a half-arsed clean up, go grabs loads of snacks and plonk myself on the sofa watching Netflix for the whole weekend! Order takeaway for dinner, stay in my pj's and only move to go to the loo or make a cup of tea!

Sounds great! In truth though I'd love the thought of it but after 24 hours be a bit lonely. And that's coming from someone who loves my own space to recharge sometimes (but rarely get the chance)! But enjoy it op, do however much or little you want!

I must admit I was thinking to myself last night and wondering if DH was going on a business trip soon. Couldn’t figure a way of asking without insulting him though

Enjoy your weekend!

I try to get days alone frequently and have learned not to tell anyone when I do as I don’t want people spoiling it

That sounds bliss, enjoy. Very jealous!

I would blitz the house tomorrow so I don't waste any valuable free time.

God I'm dreaming about what I would do now

I'd cook myself macaroni cheese (family moan when I make it). Have a bath while it's baking. Make a fire. Search for a feel good movie (probably end up with Christmas24 ) Do a bit of internet bargain hunting. Long lie in on Saturday wirh a book. Sausage bap for brunch. Walk to the village to get some wool and cakes. Spend the afternoon with more movies and knitting. Cook a pizza for dinner. Watch Strictly in peace with no innane comments from dh. Watch Dirty Dancing (has to be done). Sunday, another lazy morning. Watch Sunday Brunch while eating scrambled eggs and bacon and start counting down the hours until peace is shattered..

That sounds amazing!

Can I come and stay? I promise not to get up before 1pm or talk to you at any point.

Enjoy your me time!

I find it hard turning down offers and invites because I'd just prefer to be alone, it sounds rude. But when put on the spot I've learned to say I "have an appointment" with myself and netflix, in my front room in my PJs

I am so envious. So very envious.

I remember once pre-DC DH went off to the States for work and had to leave on a Sunday morning. Good God did I dive bomb that couch as soon as he was out of the door.

Bliss.

I LOVE time on my own.

Many years ago Christmas was a bit of an issue. Kids were off to their dad's relatives(all fine) and we had animals that needed letting out/ tablets etc.
I could have gone to my parents but I thought bugger it, day on my own, dogs, tv, bottle of Bailey's and a box of after eights, bliss. WRONG!!! So many people invited me to theirs so I wasn't alone on Christmas day. Bear in mind the kids would have been at home with me until they went to dinner, would have been back in the evening. No one could understand that I was perfectly happy at home and wouldn't have to drive back and forth to let the dogs out.
In the end I went to my best mates for dinner, came home afterwards for a few hours on my own, lovely.
Enjoy it !

I'm jealous! I love being alone!!

I’m actually gobsmacked reading the OP. How is 48 hours to yourself such “thing” that random people are commenting to you about it. Then reading the rest of the posts, I’m amazed. Do people really not ever get time off? Is it such an unusual and impossible event that you actually fantasise about what you would do with 24 hours to yourself?

Fuck that. I honestly cannot imagine living like that. It’s like something out of the 1950’s where the house will literally fall down if the little woman goes anywhere.

I have a friend who gets all wobbly and weepy when her husband goes away for his frequent work commitments. I have NO sympathy, and I'm afraid sometimes it shows I'm too envious!

WomblingThree that's a bit weird.

If you work and have dependent children and a spouse its common to rarely have the house to yourself, regardless of your biological sex. Its not a 1950s woman thing, its a being a member of a nuclear family (especially including non adult children) thing.

I have friends who need to go and stay with someone else when they are going to be on their own! I LOVE it, and wish I got the place to myself more often.

There's always one who has to spoil things, isn't there?

Well done Wombling. Have a sticker.