Feeling low

[Undatisfied123]

I know this might sound ridiculous but I'm feeling so lonely. I've been a single parent for a long time and have been so busy with my kids lives i feel I haven't stopped for years. They are now young teens and are developing their own lives- which is great. However, I feel a bit lost.

I do have good friends, but they are busy with their lives and I'm still needed as a taxi driver, cook, cleaner and general dogsbody! However, I have a lot of spare time on my hands, within constraints!

What do people do with their spare time? There was one upon a time I craved time so badly yet now I have it I don't know what to do. There are only so many cupboards I can clear out!

Thanks for any help. Days and evenings are quite long and boring! I exercise 4x a week and like the people I'm in the class with and we do socialise occasionally but everyone has their own life. I also work full time so it's mainly just weekends. I'm used to being so busy!

Thanks for any advice

Sounds like you're in the season of life where you can focus more on yourself and what you're interested in. Is there anything you've always wanted to try? Personally I enjoy crafting hobbies and gardening which take up lots of time. It can even be something as simple as curling up with a book and a cuppa for an hour.

I felt like this when my kids were that sort of age. I didn’t have many friends locally and was quite lonely. I had moved into the area and it seemed to me that everyone already had friends.

I joined a few clubs, and kept trying things until something stuck. I joined a book club, walking group and a gym. The book club was the best, and helped loads. We are still going strong years later. I also changed jobs and retrained to a different career.

it’s hard but it just takes a bit of effort to find a few things that break up your week, or that enrich your life. I will retire in a few years and I am already thinking about what I will do to replace work.

Any interest in meeting a romantic partner, OP? Maybe sign up for a few dating apps and just get a sense of what’s out there and if it appeals?

Edited because I thought I was on a different thread 🤦‍♀️

I’m in exactly the same boat. My oldest is 20 and at Uni and my youngest is 14. He still needs me to a certain extent but I feel incredibly lonely. DH works a huge amount and when he isn’t working he plays golf with DS2 so I have an awful lot of time on my hands,

Volunteering? Numerous organisations will be grateful for your help.