To feel sad about spending the weekend completely alone?

[teakettlewhistle]

I don’t know if anyone else is in the same boat. I was reading a thread about people’s plans for Saturday and felt sad

Would you consider running? If there is a parkrun near you it’s a good way to lift your mood for the day. They are generally very friendly, no pressure to go fast and you can alternate jogging with walking. Often there’s a favourite cafe that people go to afterwards so it’s a good way to make friends.

Running is the single most important thing I do for my mental health.

As with almost anything else in life if you want to change it then it's down to you. It's not always easy and may take some time but the only person responsible for your happiness is you.

I used to think that too best and I do understand where you’re coming from.

But at the same time, some things just are.

I'm alone with my kids every weekend. Usually no adult conversation, maybe someone on a checkout or at parkrun.
I just tidy and potter and referee arguments . They won't do anything they don't want to and I get so ground down that I just give up.

I get you. I used to be in this situation.

Can you work out what your ideal weekend would be so perhaps we can help with suggestions and ideas of how to get there?

How would you envisage a better weekend Op?

What would it consist of?

Then if anyone has ideas they can avoid the things which you'd avoid??

What about volunteering in Shelter for the Homeless ?

I’d hate it. I even hate a weekend with no specific plans and I have husband and kids, although they’re teens so you can imagine cba with us anyway.

tea.....I do not want to come across as patronising(but probably will) but have you thought of volunteering at the weekends to bring you into contact with people? Charity shops/Hospital league of friends/hospital visiting/visiting elderly lonely through linking with Age UK/Local CARE groups who will visit people/take them shopping etc
Also, depending on whether you are a vehement atheist or open to faith based stuff, finding a local friendly church and getting stuck in to Sundays/Alpha group/social groups etc will ensure you never again have a quiet weekend. I have been brought up in Church and Sundays have always been busy with not only the services but also going out to people for lunch or inviting people to us as hospitality is or should be a big thing in Christian communities

Life will change it always does, who knows what the future holds. I have went through lonely periods and thought life was shit but things nearly always turn around.

I'm sure there are lots of others feeling the same. My Aunt lost her DSIS 4years ago they never married and lived together. She has been so lonely though now she is in Las Vegas for a fortnight with new friends and has a little job, regular nights out she is 60 living a life she never dreamt of.

Keep the faith.

What do you enjoy doing?

There’s lots you can do - park run - or volunteer to help at one!
Www.meetup.com
Board games groups
Volunteering - loads of opportunities in just about every field you can think of

Clubs - art, drama, do an evening class, get involved with helping at a RSPB site or nature reserve...

I do spend some weekends alone - this one in fact. I did hate it until I thought about the opportunity to do exactly as I wish. Today a gallery, then the cinema, then will read this evening. Tomorrow batch cooking, writing a talk & if time a long walk while listening to music & talk radio. Open to offers if any friends pitch up.

I’m a bit worried about it changing for the worse!

My weekends have slowly shrank back to nothing. I know it could be a lot lot worse.

I have done volunteer work in the past but I have to admit it just made me feel resentful that others had fun times with family and friends and I was being pulled down in other people’s problems.

If I genuinely was on my own every weekend I would have to take drastic action like join a meet-up group, local WI, volunteer, park run etc just to get out the house and be with others. I’m not a solitary person at all.

Another vote for Parkrun here too. Gets you up and out of bed and a good mix of people. The feel good factor and endorphins from running/jogging/walking in a group can help and you can also volunteer occasionally. Some Parkruns go for a post run coffee too so nice way to meet new people.
Or google for local Ramblers groups that do walks on a weekend. Nice way to get out and about.
Feel for you x

I'm miserable too. DH decided last night that he's had a better offer than spending time with me and won't be home all day. I love being on my own, but I don't like being abandoned.

Sorry to hear that yellow

Yes, I’ve made that mistake with churches many years ago - I avoid religion now!

Volunteering - don’t go back to the volunteering you did previously. Check out loads of other volunteering opportunities on the website do-it.org

If you are in Nottingham, im spending the day here today and fancy a coffee and a chat inbox me i know how it is to spend weekend after weekend alone.

I'm sure there was a thread on this on Relationships - it was for people who are single or alone most of the time (not people whose husband had gone down the shops for a long time sort of thing!) - if I can find it I will link you up OP.

I remember that feeling when I lived on my own . It's a cliche but lots of hobbies did help. I found an activity for the Sunday morning which was often a harder time for me and it made a big difference for me . I signed up for some short courses and made a friend in similar circumstances who I am meeting up with today .

Genuinely it takes time and a bit of putting yourself out there but you can get there . With friends who had busy lives I just had arrangements set up as far in advance as possible . Starting small helped me make one change at a time but set some goals . Also the book feel the fear and do it anyway helped push me out my comfort zone . Big hugs to you and keep us posted on changes you are making .