I'm so bored I could cry.. AIBU

[OkPedro]

Currently at home bored out of my mind. I seem to have lost the ability to think of things to do.

Got home with the DC after work at 4.. Helped with Homework, cooked dinner and now they're both locked away in their rooms.
I'm a single parent so it's just me for the evening and after they've gone to bed. I used to love reading but now can't concentrate for longer than 10 minutes. There's nothing I want to watch on TV..
I'm listening to music in the living room with my cat!

What do others do in the evenings? All suggestions welcome

Easy enough to get into a rut. I was almost in one, then I had a crisis to deal with, which has livened things up nicely! (I wouldn’t recommend it, though!)

I’ve no idea if they still exist, but I used to love getting the adult education brochures and picking courses in things. So many ideas - even if you can’t go to the actual course it might spark an interest something you could pursue online.

I usually have exactly the opposite problem- there’s so many things I want to do, I don’t know where to start. I have a million hobbies, and no evenings on the sofa - by the time the kiddo is in bed and settled it’s too late to start anything and I’m shattered!!

Lots of universities/associations/courses do public research lectures in the evening and they are often online now (and always free!). If you are looking for connection with people too-

Could you take up painting? Set yourself little projects, it’s so addictive seeing your improvements with each piece and acrylic is relatively cheap to start off with

Also, unpopular opinion on mumsnet but have you tried video games? I highly recommend Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s got a brilliant storyline and the scenery is amazing. I used to spend hours just sightseeing on my horse ☺️

I've been in a reading rut since Christmas then I read a great book end of Feb,(can't remember the name and I'm 3 books down now, you just need something to get you back in the groove.

@savehannah What's wrong with Duolingo? I've been using it for a month and I'm absolutely hooked. I know far more now than I would have if I'd gone to language classes once a week. It really appeals to my competitive nature as well!

I am tired in the evenings. Really tired.

I tend to look at house magazines and plan seasonal updates for my home
I research places to travel to and holidays and trips
I light candles and the fire and relax under a blanket
I eat soup and drink milk
Or wine
I try to ignore my teens trashing the kitchen for the tenth time that evening cooking up more food
I watch MAFS and it is my escapism for the day

I feel this way sometimes too OP but I think it's more to do with being tired than bored. There's lots I'd like to do but if it's been a long day and I can't be bothered, I'm going to waste the evening in front of the TV or scrolling away on the phone just because I'm so tired.

I’ve felt like this from time to time and have found getting in engrossed in a foreign boxset helps me. I can’t use my phone and read the subtitles at the same time so have to concentrate in the TV. This seems better for me than mindlessly flicking and using my phone at the same time and I enjoy escaping to Jerusalem, Istanbul or the life of a Spanish or Russian princess or whatever it is I’m watching.

I’m doing DuoLingo at the moment to learn French. Loving it!

[quote HollowTalk]@savehannah What's wrong with Duolingo? I've been using it for a month and I'm absolutely hooked. I know far more now than I would have if I'd gone to language classes once a week. It really appeals to my competitive nature as well![/quote]
Nothing wrong with Duolingo for a bit of fun and learning some vocab or refreshing previous language knowledge. However, as a language teacher I would say it doesn't teach you to actually hold a conversation. I've had learners come to my classes who've done Duolingo for prolonged periods of time and they still need to start at Beginner level with me as they haven't learnt how to put together sentences, they've just learnt set phrases.

@OkPedro

Agghh I had tagged you all thanking you for your suggestions and it's disappeared!

@lovemusic33 I've tried tinder, POF and bumble I'd rather stay single 🤭

I took up knitting in the first lockdown but would like to give cross stitch a go actually

I will renew my library card and get stuck into some audiobooks. It's such a pity that I can't concentrate on a book.
I used to love coming home from work and getting lost in whatever I was reading.

I do love to do nothing, but have found myself bored recently with just my own company

If you can sew (even just a bit ) have a look at stitch club online. I wish I had discovered it during the first lockdown. I have found my tribe.

Maybe some puzzles? Love Sudoku .and word searches .Alas not much time to do them . Also Adult Colouring Books .Buy some nice pencils and book .Do this sometimes when DH watching Football .

Could the kids go to after school club a couple of days and then you can do an activity after work, perhaps an exercise class, go for a swim, art class, whatever you like? That would make the evenings shorter and would perhaps get you meeting people.

Read, walk the dog (depends if you can leave kids at home for a bit), jigsaw, yoga, baking….

Depending on your interests here's some ideas, go for a drive, meet up with friends for drinks ,dinner, cinema, join a theatre group, learn a craft skill at home, prep and freeze meals for the week(saves lots of money), read, join a book club, go for a walk now nights are getting lighter, go swimming or join a gym, call or facetime family and friends and catch up, spend more time with children reason bedtime stories or talking about their day before sleep, odd jobs around the house, spend time or date nights with your partner once a week fortnight or month if you can get a baby sitter, do some volunteer work, one nice thing is to sign up to the companion scheme for Age In, help out at a food bank or local hospital with any volunteer opportunities, have some pamper time alone at home, watch old films you've never seen but always wanted to, garden now lighter nights are coming, bake , find a hobby, loads out there to do and at home. Hope you find something 🙂

There's always a series on TV - many great foreign programs too. Look at old series on All4 or Prime.

Podcasts
Crochet
Knitting
Sewing
Documentaries about things I'm interested in
Whatsapp Friends

Get everyone out for a walk or a game of basketball/football in the garden while it’s still bright.

Even if they can only be left for 1 hour that's a class at the gym or leisure centre. You won't regret that as it'll massively help with your depression due to the endorphins.

Add to that - gardening! Good for the soul.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

I find I'm more likely to actually relax if I pre plan for it. Much like meal prepping

So this week dh is away, so I've jotted down a chore, a movie, a relaxing pastime to do each evening ahead of him going.

Tonight was:-
Clean the microwave (environmental health level of Bad)
Watch "The Break Up" with a glass of wine and chocolate
Bath and face mask while listening to the rest of my audio book.

It sounds prescriptive to have to pre plan, but does help.

This sounds lovely, and gives you something to look forward to during the day for the evening.

It defiently does. It also makes me more productive in the daytime so I can front load all my work. I wfh so am lucky I can chuck laundry on / strip beds ad hoc across the week.

Tonight I'm going to give the entrance hall a good scrub, watch Don't Look Up, and paint my toes/fingernails.

Thanks @BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz
(Why is your username soooo long 😅)

I’ve started learning a language with duolingo.

Get a Nintendo switch with Animal Crossing, I've pissed away many hours on that.