To ask what you do for "me" time?

[worldshottestmom]

Posted for traffic, and because I didn't really know where else to post this.

I didn't get time to myself for a very long number of years since having DC1, and for the last almost 6 years cared for my kids alone (Ex ever helped, didn't get a minute off from the kids). However, I'm now in a position where I'm finding myself with a lot more free time, yet, I don't know what to do with it.

I do the normal cleaning and errands, etc., but want to do something for myself or get some new hobbies or something. I'm highly uninspired after freshly coming out of SAHM life, and thus I am asking everybody, what do you do for yourself during your free time / 'me' time?

I was thinking about going back to the gym, getting my nails/hair done, but want to try something new! Any ideas?

I read, colour in, and practice my various musical instruments (piano, violin and trumpet).

I like sleeping, knitting, reading, playing the piano, attempting to sew, going to classes of interest (e.g. botanical soap making, grow your own-type classes), horse-riding, and occasionally aerial silks, if I can squeeze it in. I may try to muster up the courage to go to adult gymnastic classes, if I can ever get there on time.

I love walking, and often go out with my ear pods in and an audiobook to listen to or a podcast. And I've got a studio bike that I love, you can follow rides all around the world on it. This week I've enjoyed rides in Cyprus, Montana and Australia.

Read, drink coffee (bonus points when they're combined), photography (predominantly nature), walking, staring into the distance

Yoga. Helps my mental and physical health

This is similar to what I have been doing, mostly going for a coffee alone and chatting on the phone lol. What kind of events do you go to? I've been thinking about events and stuff but cant think of what kind of things I would even enjoy anymore 🤔

I really want to go back to the gym but feel so anxious lol. I used to be a gym pro but that was now 7 years ago. Now my left knee burns when I do Bulgarian split squats (with good form) and tbh I just dont feel too confident after the kids. I feel like im going to look like an utter pleb. And I know people say you'll regret it if you dont, but I just feel like I really will regret it if I make fool of myself lol.

Any tips on reducing anxiety about the gym? I'd only really be able to go between 9-12 too, which is peaky time at my local 😭 sorry im such a whiner haha

Im in your old situation (ie completely lone parent to a 17 month old) and I've just got some colouring books and nice pens to use when hes asleep, maybe a good idea.

I also second a long, long bath, with possibly a book, a coffee and a bar of chocolate. Thats the thing i miss most since I've been a lone parent. For books, I love Jane Fallon, so funny and easy to read.

I make jewelery for myself, i find beads i like in charity shops and restring them into different designs.

My son bought me a rock tumbler for my b'day and I use it to make sea glass. Again, i find coloured glass things in charity shops and smash them up and tumble them. I use a dremel to make holes in the pieces and string them into mobiles and wind chimes. They can also be made into jewelery or mosaics. There are loads of ideas on youtube.

I watch my Dynasty (original series) box set whilst i create.

Tbh I didnt even consider having lessons first lmao but I will look into it! I actually have zero idea of what it entails but it looks relaxing and quite fun. Would also love bragging rights that I'm a ✨️golf player✨️

Presumably not at the same time.

I've been reading in bars/coffee shops, but I'm going to switch to hiking. Fun to walk at my own pace for once.

An Epsom salts bath, glass of wine, then pop a Kirkland sleep aid (non addictive) and sleep for 9 hours, with amazing dreams. Truly restorative.

Hmmm yoga interests me, have you ever done pilates? There's a pilates studio nearby to me but I don't actually know anything about it. Is it similar to yoga? Sorry, im a complete noob about everything that isnt motherhood lol

Ugh you inspire me. I keep telling myself im going to start running but then just dont. I have a dodgy knee and dont want to make it worse, but then maybe running would make it better? Or not?? I used to go jogging way back and it helped my MH a lot. As you say the peace, the fresh air, the movement does wonders.

I’ve recently joined the gym again, I’ve changed jobs so find myself with more time in the week. It’s a women only one which helped ease my discomfort of being a fat 40 year old. It’s so bloody wholesome it’s untrue.

Gave you a support reaction because if you swim in cold water to relax, then you need it haha. Joking. Why the cold water though, is it a helping-with-muscles kinda thing?

I have a friend that is an avid woodworker and has created some beautiful pieces, some of which I have purchased. Would love to make things like it but dont even know where I would start with equipment etc lol.

Watch incredibly nasty horror films and eat crisps.

@worldshottestmom my cats are the biggest vandals 🤣🤣

Oooh some great suggestions here. I can play Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, but only that and cos I learnt it in year 7 lol. Though I do enjoy playing it, and would love to learn more pieces. When I was younger I always dreamed of being able to play Flight of the Bumblebee, and for obvious reasons, it has remained a dream haha.

I would just like to say if I ever joined a choir I would be arrested for statutory nuisance (I wish I was joking). My own son begs me to stop singing if I ever do lmfao.

I think a walking group is a great idea as well, I think I just need more local friends lol. Thank you!

Gosh I used to love doing stuff like this, you've taken me back. After my first real break up at 17, I used to go on long bus rides, go to the art museum, the cinema, the theatre, sometimes just sit in woodland, it was great. Thank you for reminding me of this, perhaps I should get back into it.

Lino printing is where you have this special cutting tool thing where you cut a design into Lino and then roll paint onto the design, and then print that onto paper… look for a kit/look for a demo on YouTube. Satisfaction factor high! But also can be frustrating.

I love crochet because once you’ve got the hang it’s quite simple and quick and you can have the telly on at the same time! And it’s easy to pick up and put down whereas watercolours, printing etc not so much.

I read books, or listen to them while doing something else like playing video games or doing crafts (cross stitch, crochet, diamond art, watercolour pen colouring in books).

Sometimes I'll watch a film or a couple of episodes of a TV show or a video essay on YouTube. Oh and playing with the cats - I've been trying to see how high I can get my girl to jump and she's been doing some really impressive acrobatics lately despite just turning 13 this month.

I used to like swimming but I can't do that anymore. My local pool did adults only sessions late at night and played music and it was really relaxing to just float about and listen after tiring myself out doing lengths.

Im honestly fed up of masturbating at this point (single mom life yay), probably my only hobby right now hahaha.

I do actually encourage my kids to colour in a lot just so I can do it with them, though seen adult colouring books in the supermarket last week and was really tempted to buy one. Next time I will.

Drinking champagne as a hobby wins best suggestion of the thread tbh

Swimming in cold water gives me head space.
Went down to 1.1° this year in early January when we had that cold snap with beautiful clear skies. We had to break the ice to get in then lay in the water listening to the pieces of ice bumping into one another like wind chimes. Utterly marvellous

Shopping is mostly what I do tbh, its nice but gets kinda boring when you do it daily.

I like gardening as well, cant wait for spring when it gets a bit more tempting to go out in it lol.

I can only dream of dog-walking being relaxing. My dog is a rescue and was horrifically abused as a young puppy. Hes very anxious now and hates other dogs and specifically men (despite extensive, on going training) so walking him is a mission every time lol.