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

[Britishsummertime22]

Finding weekends tough.

I am not attacking you, nor is anything I have posted "ridiculous".

I would deeply appreciate it if you would leave me alone, also. It's not as if I have been posting into a void, just refuting your mad claims. HTH.

Do we need to hijack the thread with a debate about the safety of dog walkers?

When you're single and have a dog, you have to walk the dog on your own because, like with everything else, there's no one else to do it for or with you.

I'm not single now. I was in my 30's so I can talk about what I did at weekends then, but it's hardly relevant to single women jn their 40's and 50's. Besides, like every one in a relationship my memories of that time tend to be through rose tinted specs if he's being annoying, or more realistic (hard, lonely and despairing of a future relationship) if he's being adorable.

I don't understand the mindset whereby women who are married and have children think that they can possibly understand what it is like to be single and childless long term - ie past 30.

That really sums up how I feel @Bananachocs . Relationships, especially a bad one can be more lonely than actually being alone. It's when you have nobody to do the simple stuff with, like as someone said, chatting over a glass of wine, deep chats and a hug. Doesn't have to be a romantic partner in the least. And yes as a single and childless woman I do get sick of being told to join a club. I know realistically it's the only way of meeting new people but it's not as simplistic as that and doesn't solve the immediate feeling of aching loneliness.

I was in my 30's so I can talk about what I did at weekends then, but it's hardly relevant to single women jn their 40's and 50's.

Am I alone in finding this rather offensive?

Not that offensive, but what I did when single in my 30s isn't so different from what I did when single in my 40s and now 50s, so more puzzling. What has restricted me at different times is how much spare cash I have, more than my age.

I think any offensiveness is balanced by this bit, which is very reasonable.

Besides, like every one in a relationship my memories of that time tend to be through rose tinted specs if he's being annoying, or more realistic (hard, lonely and despairing of a future relationship) if he's being adorable.

I don't understand the mindset whereby women who are married and have children think that they can possibly understand what it is like to be single and childless long term.

I'm in my 40s, and single, and (sadly) childless.
This weekend, it went like this:
Saturday:
Exercise class - AM
Home for shower, hair mask, pamper.
Met my Mum and went to a local festival in the afternoon, and had some street food there.

Sunday:
Bit of a lie in...
Brunch with a close friend
Wandered IKEA together
Home for dinner, laundry, etc.
Read my book until bedtime.

Not an entirely typical weekend, but I might otherwise go swimming, see other friends, go for a cycle, etc.
There's lots to do to keep yourself busy, happy and fulfilled. I hope that you find some comfort and happiness in the way forward.

I don’t find it offensive.

Lots of people here have been remembering their single pre children days with fondness. In the same way as I look back on my early twenties. Everybody was in the same boat - lots of people to socialise with - lots of fun group activities. An expectation it was a temporary time and who knew what the future might hold.

it bites differently when you are older - all those friends are in couples and have kids. You are older so (for some at least) your expectations for weekends broaden. And this is it - life stretches out infront of you - weekend after weekend.

this thread has reinforced a lot for me - and highlighted that a lot of people are in the same boat - and some people just can’t understand.

Yes definitely, I heard someone say something like when you’re single you realise no-one is there to witness the ordinary moments , and the every day ups and downs that make life so special.

I don’t miss my ex as such, and I was the one who ended it but I miss his hugs and having someone to watch movies with every weekend.

And yes as a single and childless woman I do get sick of being told to join a club

I’ve attended some meet ups in the past like book and brunch clubs, and I didn’t make any friends. Maybe I would’ve if I’d continued, but it’s quite hard to go back when you don’t find a friendly face you click with or someone you exchange numbers with the first time. I ended up feeling even more lonely!

I’ve attended some meet ups in the past like book and brunch clubs, and I didn’t make any friends. Maybe I would’ve if I’d continued, but it’s quite hard to go back when you don’t find a friendly face you click with or someone you exchange numbers with the first time. I ended up feeling even more lonely!

I get this - I’ve been to places that don’t feel friendly and it’s far worse than being home alone! But plenty of groups feel good, right from the start.

Yes, the thirties were harder.

Oh no :(

Personally in my late 40s I can't go out as much as I did in my 30s. I think that's quite normal.

I was in a group for almost ten years where it took me a whole year to feel comfortable!

Recently single and childless
This is early days for me but I went to bingo the weekend
Even went to the cinema on my own

I found it very tough as all still new, so I cried a lot.
But I used to go to bingo a lot Sundays before I met my partner... well, ex partner

I'm neither single or childless but I bloody wish I was sometimes!

In between working as I was before stay at home full time mothering chapter began, I was:

• reading
• writing
• making jewellery
• cooking and baking,
• inviting friends for lunch or going round theirs for dinner
• investing time and money in self-pampering
• travelling
• and when I had time, sleeping!

My advice? Biased and very unpopular - live your life single and childless. You'll be happier.

Aw @MsChampagne you haven’t read the full thread sure you haven’t!

No, she hasn’t.

People that have recommended travel or city breaks... would you honestly do that on your own? I think that would make me feel worse and remind me of all the couples on romantic breaks and families on nice holidays... meanwhile people recommending you go traipse round Berlin yourself with no one to talk to, you may as well save your money and just stay home.
That's how I felt at that time in my life anyway.

A rather tone-deaf response

No, I would never have done that on my own. I don’t know anyone that would!

People that have recommended travel or city breaks... would you honestly do that on your own?

I've travelled half the world alone. I joined a trip crossing Africa, but I didn't know anyone before we met in Nairobi. I've done lots of European trips. I like a city break by myself- I do just what I want.

If I didn't travel alone, I would never have been anywhere.

People that have recommended travel or city breaks... would you honestly do that on your own?

Yes, I have done. It was either that or not go anywhere and why should I have missed out just because I hadn't yet met a partner?

My ‘weekend’ is Thursday and Friday. I go to the gym, go out for the day or part day (at least once a month), do grocery shopping, litter pick as part of my litter group, read, play computer games, catch up on tv etc. Then cook a meal

That's interesting. Did you enjoy it? I love travelling but I would feel sad and self conscious on my own.