To be “peopled out”

[Sexnotgender]

Having a down day and I think I’ve realised it’s because there’s someone here ALL THE BLOODY TIME.

I love my family but dear lord what I wouldn’t give for a few hours solitude.

[FlexibleFox]

It’s surprising how Bad the traffic gets when I’m off to get the groceries. I actually just take the long long way round to get some peace. I also am inventing lots of little “errands” - I just have to return this item to a Waitrose today (I haven’t mentioned the extended refund period) which means an hour queue To get in - well actually it was only 2 minutes but dh doesn’t need to know

[JemimaShore]

I have had more wine than I care to admit to.

[justasking111]

I got so excited the other day when after a lot of backward and forward by angling cymru the government finally agreed OH could go fishing. The caveat was you had to walk there with all the gear. I could have cried.

[Catsrus]

I’m always slightly disappointed when somebody wants to come with me to walk the dog these days.

I'm with you @PuppyMonkey - I've found the trick is a dawn start, They like the idea of a 5:30 am dog walk, but the reality..... of course that means I'm ready for bed at 7pm.......

[andannabegins]

My DP asked if he had done something wrong on Friday because I was sat upstairs. I just need some bloody space to breathe FFS

[MarshaBradyo]

Jemima that made me laugh. I cannot admit to g&t either.

[Frouby]

Am same. So bloody desperate for alone time I started c25k.

Kids want to come and the bloody dog. Am hoping that the 20 minute runs put them off next week.

[JigoloHarMegiddo]

OMG yes! So very, very, with you there. Suddenly, the house that has accommodated six of us plus dog very nicely for a decade is Too Small. There is nowhere I can go to Be Quiet, partly because DH and DS2 (17) seem to need noisy input All The Time. DH bought himself some new speakers for the living room just before lockdown, and has been misusing enjoying them playing experimental jazz and early 20th century classical musical for some of every single fucking day since then. He likes me to sit with him, and I do enjoy it... but in companionable silence, not with painful earphones in pretending the noise isn't breaking through!

Even my early morning time to myself has been thoroughly squelched by DS3(9) deciding he needs to tell me something new about Minecraft every morning, and DS1 (19) now being entirely nocturnal and being "just about to go to bed and fancied a chat, Mum" at 6am. Even the bloody dog follows me to the loo, in case I am doing something interesting, and tootles round the house after me like a shadow that needs a haircut. DD tends to try to start sewing projects at 9pm, and needs my input by about 9.05, when I am trying to lock myself in the bathroom with my book.

I love them all very much, but I've not had any alone time since September 2019 when we started educating the two youngest from home, and I am going insane.

[TimeWastingButFun]

I totally get it. It's all day every day of 'Muuuum', lovely as it is to hear that word, and I love my kids to bits, and my husband too of course but I'm used to a bit of time alone which isn't happening. But I'm aware too of the people who live alone so I feel sad for them, it's not easy for anyone, is it, this situation.

[coffeeforone]

Why is every fucker on mumsnet shielding?

I've noticed this too - high proportion, I only know two people in real life for very good reason who received the gov letter. I also know diabetics, friends recovering from cancer treatment, heart disease, lung problems but none of them are shielding.

[TimeWastingButFun]

Even my early morning time to myself has been thoroughly squelched by DS3(9) deciding he needs to tell me something new about Minecraft every morning

Me too!! Every morning without fail my 9 year old comes in and wants to give me some exciting video game update, usually about Minecraft. I am thinking about becoming an actress after lockdown, I have the interested face and wow words pretty well sorted :-D

[FourTeaFallOut]

Maybe because those of us who are shielding are stuck indoors entirely and more likely to be 'peopled out'. Or, you know, I could be lying for sport - because it's ...no, actually no idea why anyone would do that, I could think of a million other more things far more interesting to pretend to be.

[Supermarketworker06]

Oh and the walk! We're going out for a walk every day and admittedly I walk fast. But really, pick your bloody feet up and move, not amble along. I'm going out for a walk on my own tomorrow and I will be able to go at my usual speedy pace!

[Frlrlrubert]

I love them but I really would like a day on my own.

I retreated for a nap earlier and DH thought that meant it would be a good time to hoover. He spot hoovers, so you never know if it's over or if there's another 'vvvvvvvvzzzzzzzzzzz' coming in a second.

I was woken from my nap by DD shouting 'I need some help' from the bathroom at the top of her lungs. Laid there for a bit, but he couldn't hear her because he's going deaf and the TV was too loud - good job she only needed her arse wiping and hadn't hurt herself - he had no idea she'd come upstairs!

Also, if he walks into the room and switches the telly on, then leaves after 30 seconds leaving me with 'How it's made' on full volume (with DD trying to chatter to me at the same time) one more time I'm going to shove the remote up his arse.

(I love him really, it's just cabin fever and mild resentment that he gets to go to work in the week, I wish I could go to work, even though I'd be swapping one 3yo for multiple teenagers)

I feel a bit better for that :)

[Mintychoc1]

I know what you mean OP.
My 20 minute drive to work is just bliss. I listen to the radio, or an audio book, or I just have silence. Even the traffic isn’t bad. It’s like a little piece of paradise!

[Penguin13]

You are SO very very reasonable. Introvert here with DDs just turned 3 and 5. They are bottomless pits when it comes to needing attention at the moment. I am so so happy DH has taken up regularly going for a walk after the girls bedtime but it's nowhere near enough! Fortunately when he is here at least I have discovered Normal People so can be focussing on my frankly inappropriate lust for a 24 year old Paul Mescal instead of DH just being all 'there' all the bloody time.

[Daisyxxchain]

Me me me me

I'm so fed up tonight. Feel your pain 200%

I just don't want to deal with this constant kids in my face for another week. I love them. But omg before lockdown one was at school and the other napped two hours a day. I get no time for a coffee in peace. If I have a bath they are shouting downstairs. I can't out washing away because they get in the way or get up to no good. Just want to sit outside and cry lol

[rayoflightboy]

I need peace and quiet to recharge my batteries.Doesnt help that do can be quite loud.
Taking my hearing aid out hasn't been as useful as I thought 😂

And it's like their psychic,you sit there all day nobody bothers you.Then you go to watch Netflix and the world and their wife wants you.

My go to now is having leisurely showers.If I feel like I need space I go for a shower.

[Blackbear19]

I have also used the garden in the cold. Nobody bothers you as they can't be doing with being away from the telly.

[OutwiththeOutCrowd]

You are all reminding me of Charlie Brown!

[thetemptationofchocolate]

I too hid in my car today.
Under a blanket so no-one could see where I was :) It was lovely and peaceful.

[TomBradysLeftKneecap]

We’re doing pretty well but occasionally when the kids are on video classes and DH is having a big group meeting online, it feels like there’s 10000 people in the house and I get scared to open my mouth in case everyone else hears me say Fuck!

[Endlessness]

Yes I nearly had a meltdown over this today. What's even more annoying is that I'm constantly looking at a load of jobs in the house that I could be doing, but can't because there are two small children to look after.

When the kids go to bed, there's a husband.

We were all supposed to be going to a local park for the first time as a family today, but I ended up telling my dh to take the kids instead, and leave me alone in the house. Even though I just cleaned whilst listened to/watched YouTube, I felt much better after that.

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

I absconded with the dog on Friday evening for over an hour, just to get away from my crew. When I returned, DH said in a sad little voice that he could've walked the dog with me...no chance!

The dog was delighted, I let him sniff and investigate every blade of grass on the walk.

[Endlessness]

Just noticed that some of you have mentioned Minecraft. Yes - Minecraft is now a constant theme in our house too. Detailed explanations from children regularly, that drawl on and on. And constant requests to just 'check' whether friends are online.