Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone else hate afternoons

37 replies

velvet24 · 19/02/2022 14:41

Maybe this is a weird one but I hate afternoons and feel quite low. Weekdays not too bad as working at home an have bits to do, weekends I love my lazy mornings, coffee and catch up with tv, love my evenings, nice glass of wine, a meal and a film, but afternoons feel dreary, esp at weekends , its a long slog till the evening and I don't have small children anymore. Im sat here now bored out of my mind, despite loads to do at home and thinking its not even 3.

I wonder if this afternoon depressive feeling is a thing or just me?

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 19/02/2022 14:45

I can’t relate personally OP as I love my weekend afternoons, but I’m sorry you’re feeling low. Could you maybe look into taking up an activity to fill your weekend afternoons and bridge that gap between morning and evening? Maybe some volunteering for a few hours, or a class, or getting into walking or painting or something. That might help bridge the gap? Doesn’t have to be all afternoon - just a few hours to break it up.

Hellocatshome · 19/02/2022 14:49

If you have things to do surely doing then would make you feel less bored? Our mornings are taken up with sports on a weekend so afternoons are lovely and lazy. Weekend afternoons are the only time I sit and do nothing and I love them.

Original poster
velvet24 · 19/02/2022 15:00

@Hellocatshome

If you have things to do surely doing then would make you feel less bored? Our mornings are taken up with sports on a weekend so afternoons are lovely and lazy. Weekend afternoons are the only time I sit and do nothing and I love them.
Ha ha if only it were that simple, no motivation :(
OP posts:
Luckygrey · 19/02/2022 15:07

How about doing the important things in the morning (after a lovely lie in of course!) then you can do the coffee and catch up tv I the afternoon whilst feeling smug?
This works for me as I can feel quite depressed and lack motivation by mid afternoon if I've not achieved anything in the morning.
You're not alone - I'm very much a morning person (sometimes an early start is followed by a planned nap in the afternoon) Flowers

Sunnytwobridges · 19/02/2022 15:08

I thought I was the only one that hated weekend afternoons. I love the mornings cause it’s my alone time before my DD wakes up. Then it’s a slog from noon til the evening, which I love cause I get to laze around in my bed away from everything. But I get antsy and sometimes bored in the afternoons unless I e found a great tv show to binge lol

DyingForACuppa · 19/02/2022 15:12

I definitely get a 'mid afternoon dip' in mood/energy. If I didn't have small kids I think I'd nap then.

There's often a feeling that I don't have time to start anything because dinner/clean up/kids bedtime is looming, but disappointment at myself for not starting something in the morning, but I don't feel I can just relax like I can in the evening.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 19/02/2022 15:13

I hate afternoons on any day! I'm a morning person, get my best work done in the morning. I hate the time between 2 and 4pm, just feels like I'm waiting for the evening and I can't be arsed to do anything.

Macademiamum · 19/02/2022 15:20

I get a slump between about 2.30-4.30pm every day. It's a massive dip in my energy levels. When the sugar and caffeine cravings hit (although it actually doesn't seem to matter if I have caffeine or sugar or not). It's happened all my life and doesn't seem to matter how late or early I get up or go to bed or what else I'm doing. I have never found anything to help. I just have to grit my teeth until it's nearer 5pm and suddenly I get an uplift of energy.

Maybe I was just born to be a napper
On the days I can nap at that time I always feel happy and at peace. But rarely get the chance

TuscanApothecary · 19/02/2022 15:28

I get the afternoon slump too! Love early mornings and love the evenings but afternoons are boring if stuck in at home.

I've got a candle making kit to try out, I should try it out, but I'm sat watching Netflix after Saturday cleaning.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/02/2022 15:30

When mine were very small I felt this was as I was so exhausted and the afternoon just seemed to go on and on.

Now I like them! I’m not a morning person and perk up a bit in the afternoon.

GeneLovesJezebel · 19/02/2022 15:31

I don’t like weekend afternoons, I won’t go anywhere as everyone else is there ! I go out on weekday afternoons.

Whelmed · 19/02/2022 15:37

I really don't like the late afternoon, similar reasons. Lots to do but bored and unmotivated. I have young DC and even with them that bit of the day is just so boring. Mornings and days are busy with waking up, breakfast, getting ready, going to school, work and clubs, play dates, cleaning, tidying. Evenings are busy with dinners and getting ready for the next day etc etc. But that late afternoon I just wander around the house feeling trapped, can't do anything because one of the DC will need me for something else. Can't go anywhere, especially now it's dark rainy and cold.

TuscanApothecary · 19/02/2022 15:42

It will get better when summer is here. Sunbathing, BBQs, beers in the beer garden, trips to the beach, gardening.

Shannonz · 19/02/2022 15:42

Afternoons are really depressing for me, I’ve never noticed it before but over the last few months I’ve noticed I have what feels like ‘afternoon anxiety’ it starts at about 4 and lasts until 7 it’s so strange but I hate it. And it’s not as if I’m bored or have nothing to do as I’ve got a 1 year old that keeps me busy and I work! But I’m the same as you I love the mornings when I’m off work and also look forward to my evenings but bloody hate that 4-7!

mynameiscalypso · 19/02/2022 15:44

I get afternoon anxiety too. I would definitely like to hide in bed from about 2pm - 5pm every day. Unfortunately I either have to work or entertain a toddler so that's not possible.

Frezia · 19/02/2022 15:45

I hate afternoons like today, being trapped in the house because of bad weather with a baby and a 4 year old who's bouncing off the walls. I can't believe it's not even four yet Sad

GeneLovesJezebel · 19/02/2022 15:45

I absolutely hate thinking about what to have for tea, having to cook the tea, clearing up after tea, day after day after day !

Scianel · 19/02/2022 15:53

I've always had this, very intensely as a child. The late changes between morning and afternoon (grew up in a sunny country) and it goes from bright to harsh. I'd get this weird feeling between depression and boredom some days. Then evening the light would soften and I'd have a huge feeling of relief and feel happy again.

I can still sometimes get a bit flat in the afternoon. Mornings feel all sparkly and optimistic by contrast, then evenings feel sort of cosy.

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/02/2022 16:02

I do prefer the morning, but you know, you just have to find something to do - listen to a podcast / book / do a crafty thing / cook something. I get that motivation is low, but that’s life.

springisaroundthecorner · 19/02/2022 16:07

Yes but for different reason. The after school time. 5/6 hours of meh with a teen.

NOTANUM · 19/02/2022 16:10

I often go for a nap to turbo charge the weekend. I can have a slump mid afternoon otherwise. I put it down to tiredness given I stay up later at weekends.

SquirrelFan · 19/02/2022 16:29

Yes! Weekend afternoons, trapped, not really enough time to get stuck into something before dinner, no motivationwinter and dark not helping. Just the feeling of time slipping away. As pp has mentioned, with a teen it's especially grimthey want nothing to do with you but you have to stick around in case they decide to grace you with a confidence or even a smile...

Supersee · 19/02/2022 16:33

I hear you. I work shifts so it's not like this everyday but the times I have a day off I hate the time between 3-6pm. No kids or partner here. Love my coffee/telly time in the morning but then I feel like I should be doing something. On weekends everyone else does family/partner time. It's too early for dinner/wine time but I can't think of where to go/what to do (that doesn't involve spending money which I'm trying not to do). Sigh.

NorthSouthMiddle · 19/02/2022 16:36

Spain agrees with you - they have a siesta in the afternoon then apparently everyone goes out to the beach and park and pool at about 5pm!

mrsoverall2 · 19/02/2022 16:56

Today. And yesterday have been very long days....weather has kept us in but it's dragged like mad. I have books, cleaning to do, laundry to sort but just feel like flinging myself around and sighing dramatically
Going out tonight to friends but will be sleepy by 9. Think it's this time of year. Normally I'd crave the free time (got 2 x DC but they're mostly self sufficient for attention at least ). Dog can't even be arsed to go out!

Swipe left for the next trending thread