What do you do for you?

[akmum18]

Posting here for traffic
When your children got older and you had time for yourself again, what did you do?
I’m one of the most boring people I know single parent with no partner to spend time with, the majority of my friends are only just starting families so they haven’t got time, I have no hobbies and I’m too poor for trips and breaks away, my only socialisation is going to work
Feeling quite lonely now my children are starting to do their own thing and I can’t imagine the next 40 years just being me with nothing to do or look forward to

I draw and paint, just for me, I'm on my own, my kids range from late teens to nursery age, I work a lot of hours and run about like a headless chicken the rest of the time but when the kids are in bed I get my sketch pad out and get lost in that.

I also have one night a month either drinking, to see a film, just to go for a cheap 2 for £10 meal with a friend, even just invite people over for a game night or something. This keeps me sane.

I do some fitness training - yoga flow, body combat, kayaking. I meet up with friends for walks, drinks or dinner and invite them over. I read a fair bit. Also, although there's not hoards of spare money for this, I go to theatre shows and music gigs - I choose them carefully and either see bands or actors I really love and am very excited about or try out new up coming bands or fringe shows that sound intriguing. Usually I'd rather do that with someone else but I went to one gig recently by an artist I loved and no one else wanted to come with me, It was amazing and I loved every minute.

Gym
Family history, also go to local history groups
Knitting and crochet
I met friends doing night school as well
Volunteering

I read, walk the dog, a bit of gardening. I like my own company.

Parkrun. I’m not a sporty person but it is fun and sociable and free!

What did you do before you had children ? I'm gradually taking up the interests I had before. I'm a single parent, working and have a bit of spare income to go to the cinema or theatre about once a month. I often go to small local theatre which the amateur companies use so are much cheaper than big theatres. When I was much younger, having no acting talent myself, I was involved in amateur theatre doing props and costumes - I might pick that up again. I've always maintained my gym membership so can go a bit more now. I also have an allotment.
If you look around, try your local library, you will probably find book groups or other things which will be free. If you can't afford a gym you might find keep fit or yoga classes at local school or church halls for a few pounds a session. Adult education classes can be relatively inexpensive.

I’ve always done stuff for me. Even when my kids were young.
I go through exercise phases (need to stick to something!)
Ride a bike
Go for walks
Listen to the radio and podcasts
Go out with friends for walks, meals out, cinema, day trips (last one was Cambridge just to have a wander around and a lazy peaceful lunch. Cheap train tickets)
I belong to a book club set up by a friend.
Watch good boxsets on Netflix.
So nothing at all out of the ordinary but it’s all stuff I enjoy doing and gives me stuff to look forward to.