Hate weekends

[Londonideas]

Single no kids. Feel so lonely at the weekends. All my friends are in relationships and most have kids. I just don't know what to do with myself at the weekends. Feel so sad tonight on yet another lonely Saturday night.

Get a dog. You’ll have the best weekends.

What do you love? What are your passions? Can you do more of those things.

I'd love to but I've got a very anxious cat so I can't.

What do you enjoy doing? Could you combine a hobby and something social?

I don't have any passions or hobbies. I'd like to but I don't know what I'd like. Maybe I just need to start trying things. I haven't got loads of spare money but I've got a bit.

Date for socials.

Pick out things that you want to do e.g. restaurants, theatre, wine bars etc then find a date to go with you. You might make some friends.

Shopping? Visit a museum? Go to the gym/an autumn walk?

Solo cinema trip in the evening? Book a theatre show? I’m aware most of these cost money but a cinema ticket is fairly cheap. Museums are usually free.

You could still ask your friends if they are free in advance.

I'd also recommend joining clubs or some sort of hobby group, I've met lots of friends this way. When I was younger I played netball, and when I had DS I set up a crafting club at the local pub; sounds twee but they let us use a room for free as people tended to buy a drink once there and it was a really lovely mix of people. Some super into crafts (I love crochet and actually started it to help teach others but it morphed into a more chilled group) and some not at all but enjoy chatting.

Also agree with asking friends, sure have to ask in advance but many with enough notice I'm sure would love to!

Exactly! Try stuff. My best thing is running group. It's free and it has all the tings for good mental health:

Getting outside
Fresh air
Company
Exercise.

After a few months we started going for coffee etc. so it became social as well.

I FUCKING hate running BTW. Actually hate it. But I love running group.

You need to try out things you might like. Look what kind of activities are available in your area : arts/theatre/sports/walking groups/reading groups etc. Surely you must know what type of things you usually enjoy; try that in a group setting and I'm sure you will find others who like yourself are lonely. I am lonely too but I have an autistic son at home so I can't really meet people and I've lost most friends because of his handicap. But I always try to find joy in small things:a walk,a good meal, a good book, some good chocolate...

Have you asked your friends to meet up? I'm married with kids but would happily meet up with my single friends if they asked!
If I were in your situation I'd either get a dog, or a second job in a pub/bar.

You need to try and give yourself something to look forward to on each day of the weekend. For me that would be a hike or time in the garden, a nice meal (even if I have to cook it) a glass of wine, special food.
Go to a local rugby match? Join a walking group? 10 pin bowling?
Go to a cat cafe (might not be necessary if you have your own cat) volunteer at a cat shelter or any of the homeless charities?

You could also look into what Meet Up groups are in your area. I think they are great for making new friends.

Do you like to go to the cinema, I love to do this on my own?

I hate weekends be use I’m married with kids and I prefer the week when I get to be alone 😂 each to their own. Would lend you my family if I could. Meet-up.com can be good for doing stuff with others

I’ve started a degree with OU, I’ve suddenly got 2 very active WhatsApp groups, tutorials evenings and weekends and something to occupy my brain.

I used to do conservation volunteering with the national trust at weekends, then did lots of it when my marriage broke up.
Getting involved with any groups help - park run, wild swimming, other volunteering. It kept me going when I was in a tricky place.
Before all that when I was single years ago, I used to go to the library, watch a film, swim etc. it wasn’t always easy to be fair but I think there’s so much out there online nowadays if you look. But I did have some lonely times too. I read a lot and was sometimes a bit insular but the internet changed that for the better in most ways.
i do have a child now (older mum) and weekends can still be tricky - different expectations from family life etc. but each situation has it’s positives and negatives, I promise!

Try joining a local lively Church. You don’t have to believe or be of the same faith but you will have a warm welcome and will quickly make friends. Also have a look at the WI they have loads of activities and talks.

Also - making an arrangement in advance is something I’d do - I LOVE seeing adult friends at a weekend when I can, but it does involve forward planning. And a bit of understanding if it falls through due to illness….

Could you get a job in a bar / pub / some sort of weekend work? That’s what I did when I was a single mum and it kept me sane on the weekends when dd was with her dad, and good way to meet new people too.

Any work colleagues you click with? Do you wfh so don't mix as much? Just try something that may you find interesting, get yourself out there, friendships happen naturally. Also, there are many groups which advertise locally for get togethers, have a Google. Xx

Moving to a new village where everyone seemed to have their friendship groups - in desperation we went to church one Sunday. Best thing we did. We became part of a lovely group of people. Lots of activities. Not necessarily religious. Would definitely recommend it.

Have a look and see if there are any local theatres looking for volunteers? I do this at my local theatre and I've met loads of lovely people, it's social and if nothing else you get to see a show for free (although this depends on how well behaved the audience is)

Look at voluntary opportunities in your area. Try your local 'Voluntary Action' as a starting point.
Once you start volunteering you will realise your free time is incredibly valuable and you have the power to help people and change lives. It also changes how you see yourself and your role in the world.

You also open yourself up to meeting new people and making social connections

Is it the whole weekend you feel like this or mainly Saturday evenings? I feel like this sometimes when I leave work on Friday and know I won’t really have any social contact until Monday. There’s something about seeing couples or families out and about at the weekends that makes me feel lonely in a way that doesn’t bother me at all during the week.

I don’t really like going out by myself in the evening, but I love theatre, so will happily go to a matinee. Or as others have suggested, the cinema or an exhibition, for example. I try to treat myself to something nice to eat at the weekend, so will cook myself a favourite meal or a takeaway on Sat evening, and maybe cook a little roast dinner on Sunday, and will really enjoy it whilst watching my favourite TV.