To ask what you would dig if you spent Christmas alone?

[SusannahZzz]

For the next 10 days alone. No work. No friends. No family. What do I do?

I have planned to get on with some projects I have on the go. I’ve had this problem a lot over the past few years since I fell ill so I’ve learnt to plan things to fill up my days. For example, I’ve been organising our family photos and doing some family history (luckily both projects link in nicely!) so I’ll get a good chunk of that done. I also have some craft activities lined up to do which I don’t usually have the energy for, but I’m hoping to get to do some while off work. I do have some work to do for my ongoing masters degree which is my top priority. Of course I’ll also watch my fair share of films and relax at the end of a crazy year. Basically my advice is to just do what you enjoy! Wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable break!

I would read lots of books, watch films, eat good food, bake things, make things, draw, have long baths with lovely scented oils, lie in every morning, go shopping for myself

But instead I’ll be at work or running around like a blue arsed fly

I would volunteer at a community meal or a shelter

Somebody posted a photo on social media today of their hot drink positioned on a cafe table while it was still dark outside and the lights were all still on and it looked lovely. I’d be tempted to do early morning walks and then cosy/lazy afternoons indoors

Drink, eat, write a book. I would absolutely love it.

Chuck in a few concerts, exhibitions and shopping trips to break things up, get on top of life admin, sleep, read, watch films. Do a deep clean of the fridge and then fill it with amazing food. Then eat the amazing food.

Lie in. Drink tea. Watch Netflix. Read. Go for a nice walk late afternoon and see xmas lights in my neighbourhood. Go to a local cafe in town for a treat.

Do you have a hobby that doesn't cost much and that either gets you out of the house or gives you something to do inside the house? That's what I'd do if I had 10 days to myself, no money and noone to go and see. I'd set myself a project related to my hobby (photography) and just get on with it. Apart from possibly a few props, it doesn't have to cost anything.

I think I would look for somewhere to volunteer. A day or so alone is nice but 10 might be a bit too much for me

I had 12 days alone recently. It was bliss. I tidied and cleaned the house throughout, had nice food delivered then spent a week doing nothing. I watched tv, slept and recouperated before the family returned and the treadmill started again.

I can highly recommend it!

Go running in the morning and feel smug. Have lovely dinners. Read a lot. Binge watch what I wanted. Take in a couple of galleries. Declutter the shoe cupboard. Tidy up the garden. Have a bath filled with herbs from the garden. Have Chinese food delivered for Xmas dinner.

Sleep! Sleep again. And more sleep. Watch a film uninterrupted. Craft. Read. Just chill. Between toddler and SN older ones me time is going to the loo at work at the moment though (no one follows you there!) so I'm perhaps not a balanced opinion. Hope you enjoy it whatever you end up doing.

I'd run and cycle and do Pilates but also spend days in front of the TV or with a book.

I'd cook some new recipes but also eat crisp sandwiches and chocolate biscuits.

I'd clear out my wardrobes, get my highlights and nails done, dye my eyebrows - all the bits that get neglected when I'm rushed at work.

I'd write lists and plan and day dream.

That sounds wonderful. I've booked off the first possible week I could in the New Year and I'm not going to tell my family that I'm not going to work. I'm going to read, watch Netflix, restart my crochet and be really focussed on myself. I'm working every day over Xmas and New Year and the thought of not talking to anyone for a week in the near future is the only thing keeping me going at the moment. Enjoy it, OP.

@ SusannahZzz
It all depends, is it by choice?
I would find it hard to be motivated to do much if I was on my own and not by choice. Do you normally have friends and family around any other times of the year? Are you ok with spending all this time on your own?

Go for long walks, go swimming, get on a bus and go somewhere, eat and drink whatever I wanted, watch telly, just potter about really. If I was on my own on christmas day I'd just treat it as a normal day, tbh. I'm really over the whole christmas thing.

Definitely think if volunteering. I live in London and there are quite a lot of guided walks available around interesting parts of town. Also Barclays bikes for a ride through the parks.

I'd also go to some art galleries, the cinema and watch box sets. (The Guardian have a list of the top 50 films and tv shows of 2018 - so some good clues about what to download or watch on iplayers). Read some books. Browse round pretty places, walks in the woods or on the heath. Get in nice food and some prosecco (put a spoon in the bottle in the fridge and it will keep for a second day.)

I wouid run every day. It gets you out of the house, is good for mind and body, no 'buys' the calories for a bit of treat food (depending on how far/fast you go)

I would either go on a holiday like I wanted to but we arent or stay at home and read books and watch films and eat crap and barely get out of bed.

That would be amazing....drifts off into fantasy land. I would do all the at home things people would say but scrolling down the thread reminds me I would definitely do volunteering, I’m sure that makes a big difference Christmas Day. So Christmas Eve id cook something I could come home to Christmas Day. I love cooking. I’d knit and walk and have baths with wine and my book and read and watch tv and occasionally do a sit up while watching tv to feel Virtuous and go for long walks ...

Op loads of brilliant suggestions on here. It may help to know why you'll be alone for that long - do you literally have no one or are your family away?

Time alone sounds bloody amazing to me, but I totally appreciate that's only because I never get a minute to myself.

What are you doing for Xmas day? I hate how Christmas can make people feel so lonely. Christmas isn't like the movies - I'll be going for a curry with my partner's family, then coming home and doing the same as we do every day as I have no family anyway. It won't be all magical singing around the tree playing board games and laughing all day.

Lie in till about noon. Drink tea and eat toast in bed. Watch Netflix. Read. Eat curry.

Also people suggesting volunteering - pretty sure it's too late to sign up now as Xmas only a few days away.

I'd probably do a few drop ins and visit people with no families in homes to feel good, then loads of wine, LOADS of wine and roll around on the floor eating cheese and watching a bake off marathon on Netflix!