AIBU to ask for inspiration?

[zonedoutallnight]

A very odd thing is happening tomorrow. I have a day. To myself. The kids are away on a trip, OH is spending the day doing his hobby. I have nothing to do and nowhere to go.

AIBU to ask what to do with myself all day?

Because the practical me says - change the beds, wash the pots, Hoover, go to the tip, get a good sort out done.

The inner me says do something you love that's just for you that you never do.

The reality is I'll probably end up spending the day eating crap and watching Netflix and that just seems like a waste!

Come on hive mind. Inspire me to greatness. What would you do?

Get a book and sit in a coffee shop.

Ooo I would pamper myself, have a bath with a glass of wine, paint nails, do a face mask, eat a slab of cake.

Well only you know what you'd love to do just for you. But definitely do that. Sod the housework, do you think your dh would do housework in his free time? Make the most of it.

Lunch or brunch out with a good book, followed by cinema.

Bike ride to a local beauty spot where you can sit and read under a tree, with an ice cream.

Swimming and a browse around an art gallery/museum.

Those would all be perfect days for me, but what are you into? How did you spend weekends before husband and children filled them?

A good book in a cafe sounds nice. I've been with DH since I was 18 and now I'm on the wrong side of 35 so I'm not sure what I did before that! Probably embarrassingly stereotypical teenage things. Listen to music, talk about boys, go shopping. I've moved on and am slightly concerned that without my family I'm not very interesting! 😂

I don't have a bike - not the most coordinated of folks. Maybe I'll climb a mountain. Or walk up a small hill. Or go to a national trust place and actually look around instead of doing some sort of activity trail whilst racing past all the stuff!

When I get the day to myself, I make lots of tea, get nice food, and watch trashy TV that DH and DSS would usually skit me for.

Maybe have a PJ day (I can never bring myself to do that, but I know lots of people enjoy it), have a bath, read your book.

What you do - enjoy!

I really like the ideas you came up with, OP. I was going to suggest something similar.

When I have a bit of time to myself I often THINK that I want to watch a film, read a trashy novel etc. In fact I often do do those things. Then I regret it a bit and feel it wasn't refreshing.

Because a great thing for me as a mum about having a day free is the opportunity to empty my head of the usual clutter and busy-ness, and just be. Just sit somewhere being at peace, or have a walk somewhere quiet. I come away with a new perspective.

• Play some background ambient ocean waves effects, mix yourself a vaguely tropical cocktail, eat ice-cream and relax in a leisurely bath (or at least 'paddle' in warm footbath)...

You're at the beach, don't you know

• Enjoy a long, interruption-free phone catch-up with somebody special you've not seen for ages?

• Tech Detox: switch off all devices, sit down with a notebook and pen instead, let your creative thoughts wander, daydream and see what flows onto the page.

Whatever you end up doing, I hope you have a lovely and renewing day.