If you're single and childless what do you do at the weekend?

[Britishsummertime22]

Finding weekends tough.

I'm not ready for a relationship and don't have children.

I like a lot of time to myself though use the Internet too much!

Going to the parks, walks, shopping, watching films and housework or just catnapping are my main activities. Also visit relatives, or travel to see a friend and walk to the beach.

Ideally I'd broaden this to museum visits, more study, more grooming (I'm a bit low maintenence), practising my musical instrument, decluttering and reading books. I very rarely get lonely.

I answered to give the op ideas on how to fill their time/enjoy themselves without kids or a significant other to spend a weekend day with. Was not meant to be unhelpful at all.

That's the thing, people who are coupled up suggest going on holidays alone or joining a club alone but many couldn't do it themselves.

Saturday mornings - I teach (boarding school)
Saturday afternoons - I work, read and watch tv. Occasionally meet a friend.
Saturday evenings - I go to the theatre. Or occasionally something else with friends.
Sunday mornings - I go to church.
Sunday afternoons - I work, go for a walk, read, watch tv, occasionally have a nap!
Sunday evenings - I have rehearsals (am dram).

@JLT24 but I am sure you can see why filling a few hours shopping while your husband is out is very different can’t you?

It’s a lot easier now with tripadvisor to get an idea of areas. Another thing I’ve done is join a forum regarding whatever I’m fancying and asking for tips on there/reading previous comments. The restaurant strategy is a good one.

I'm dumbfounded that anyone in 2024 would as this.

But then I'm 61 and have been traveling solo ( including Europe and long haul) since age 18. I enjoy traveling with a man or other companion but traveling alone has definite upsides.

We only get one life. Why not spend a good chunk of it exploring our precious world?

Because it's shit doing it on your own maybe? Because it's more expensive on your own? Because people are different from you and not everyone has the confidence to do so? Maybe because people have got so lonely and depressed from their situation that going on a solo holiday seems like an insurmountable task that can't be achieved?
No need to be dumbfounded.

I do have dc but they go to their dads EOW. I work in a pub those weekends. I've made great friends, socialise and get paid too. I now meet up outside of work. It's been a great way to get out there.

When I was single I used to go theatre most weekends with a friend, not always expensive theatres with obvious plays/musicals but we saw some really good plays.

Before I had kids/got married. This was my weekend.

Friday night-out with collegeues or mates to the pub. Or at home with mu sister. We used to go to.Blockbusters and buya kebab!

Saturdays were always clean/the ling gym sessuons/swimming/ then go out doe dinner snd drinks either mates.

Sundays lay in and do nothing. It was bliss.

I’m not single, but my kids are adults. Gardening (admittedly with DH), walking the dog, sewing (dressmaking) whilst listening to podcasts, reading. Minimum domestic tasks.

I think some posters are missing the point entirely.

What you used to do when you were young, free and single and all your friends were also in the same position is not relevant to what the OP and others are feeling.

If all your friends are married with children, they will be busy with their own plans and lives. I'm sure if the OP could go for lunch/the theatre/a drink with friends she absolutely would. From my understanding the point in the post is that they do not have anyone to enjoy their weekends with and that's what is causing the upset.

Is this not what other people are getting from the thread or have I missed the point?

Meeting up with friends
rowing (or other sport / cycling)
join walking groups
weekends away to UK cities or overseas
take up hobbies ie crochet, art classes etc
volunteer with animal charities

Yep - it’s a point I have made over and over again yet people keep telling us what they used to do.

I would love to hop in a Time Machine back to the days when I had four or five close, single fiends who went out every weekend, went to concerts, to the beach for the day, city breaks, etc etc. I had seen every movie in the cinema, visited every beer garden. Even a night infront of the telly involved a Chinese and three friend in face masks.

but they are now at kids parties, dinner at in laws, drinks with the ballet mums, school quiz, collecting teens from parties, nursing sick kids etc etc.

I am not sure why this is so hard for so many people on this thread to understand.

exactly, that’s why if I don’t have a good experience or if I sense bad vibes the first time more often than not I’d rather move onto a new group completely rather than trying again with the previous one!

Yes you have tried to make this point multiple times. Agree with both of you.

What people did in their 20s or what they do when their partner is away for one day of the week is not very helpful or relevant to this discussion 😬

Reading, running, cycling, swimming, sleeping, catching up with friends, concerts, cuppas, walks, the worlds your oyster, embrace it & enjoy your time doing whatever makes u smile🌞

Quite. If you were last single in the era of Blockbuster Video...

I think some people are just reading the thread title & plonking their memories in without bothering to get a sense of what it’s actually about. Which is pretty common, if annoying.

Socialise socialise and socialise . Without a nuclear family it is really important to have friends otherwise you become isolated.

I've already posted here but I'd add that the worst, the very worst time of the year for me to be single and childless (when none of your friends are) was the Easter weekend. Finish work Thursday, fix a grin and wish everyone a good long weekend and then let yourself into your empty flat with 4 days to get through. Shops shut at weird times, public transport too, Easter Sunday was the nadir of despair for me some years.

I know it doesn’t address the weekend problem but I had a really positive experience with Solos holidays.
I did a 4 day city break but they do all sorts. There was an itinerary but you could also go off and do your own thing a bit. I was v nervous but I’d definitely do it again

Longterm single and childless here. I'm working pretty much full-time at the moment so sometimes weekends are just a time to flop/read a book, do some cleaning and cooking proper meals! But other things I do are: gardening, and also visiting garden centres or indeed nice gardens (sometimes with friends), walking (sometimes with friends, sometimes alone), going to London or other bigger cities to see art, see a play and wander around the shops. I also volunteer occasionally at a local art gallery - which I'd really recommend as it basically involves a lot of people watching and very little stress.

I joined a choir alone and met my DH of 34 years.