Can’t decide whether this is empowering or a little bit sad

[Blondiebeachbabe]

Kids left home 10 years ago. I text alot but they’re not great at keeping in touch. DH works shifts and left today at 1pm, and will get home around midnight. So, another night alone for me. I thought sod it, I’m going to have take-out. I ordered a meal for one from the Chinese. Quite expensive I thought at £9. Anyway, not a problem, I can afford it. Went along and felt a bit weird coming out with a bag with one container inside! Ate the meal and washed it down with wine. I can’t decide if this is the epitome of lushness, or if it’s all a bit sad that I’m doing this alone. 😵‍💫

Before we had kids my dh used to occasionally work away and one day i realised I could go and get a Chinese just for me. It felt a bit odd and dh asked why I hadn't done it before. Don't know why just hadn't thought of it.
It's good to do things just for yourself, ignore the pp saying it's just food.

Sounds lovely! And not sad at all.

Doesn’t sound too expensive either

No one said it is, OP is just chatting it through with people.

Cheer up, mardy.

This…

Who's voted yabu?

The op said it was. I am a bit freaked out that she isn't allowed out by herself to conduct transactions.

And people keep telling single mums to do what you've done 🥲. Can't win can we. Thing is they do leave home one day. I'm sure you'll find yourself again.

I love doing what you've done OP. I'm a single mum to a toddler, although I live with my parents currently and also have a partner who I don't live with. When I lived on my own before kids I loved a takeaway and film night alone, and now I still love it when I get the house to myself once in a blue moon! I don't think it's sad. Lots of people do it!

im a bit bemused at the idea of getting a takeaway for one is empowering? Just enjoy your time, your dh will be home at midnight! I’m not going to lie, I CRAVE nights like that! Just enjoy and, gently, try not to overthink it!

Blimey it costs seven quid for a small portion of rice or noodles where I am, you’re not getting s Chinese for one for less than 20 quid here.

What has the context of kids having left home TEN YEARS ago got to do with it?! Surely you are well-adjusted to this phase in your life by now? And how on earth can a takeaway consisting of ONE CONTAINER be considered to be even approaching lushness, never mind the epitome of it? And why would getting yourself a meal be considered sad? Are people who live alone doing something sad every time they eat or just when they treat themselves to something like a takeaway?

Odd thread.

I don’t eat takeaways but often treat myself to a luxury meal if I’m in on my own
Nice bit of rump steak or duck leg, lamb joint for one eg

Sounds bloody marvellous! Hope you enjoyed the food & wine & watched something trashy on the telly!

Probably because £9 isn't expensive for a takeaway

Totally lush! What I wouldn't give for a night on my own with no kids and no partner and a chinese. I'm currently drinking champagne. My partner was like 'why are you drinking champagne?' I just said 'Why not?' For him everything has to be saved for a special occasion. 🙄I'm totally of the mindset that I might die tomorrow so if I want champagne I'm having it YOLO 😜

This comment has made me laugh SO much that I’ve had to get a tissue to wipe my eyes!!!!! Fucking brilliant 🤩

this is fucking brilliant 🤩

I’ve lived alone since 2021 - I’ve had a pizza express delivery, a chocolate brownie and now drinking an M&S pina colada.

I don’t care if it’s lush, sad or not I’m enjoying it

I occasionally do this and consider it a very indulgent luxury! It'd honestly never occurred to me it was sad.

Mine are also grown up, but when they were young they used to go to their Dad’s every other Saturday. I’d get two days off a month from work and DCs, and I would clean the house from top to bottom, do all the washing and ironing and do the big shop. Then I’d get a Chinese takeaway and a bottle of wine and watch a film on my own.

It sounds really pathetic, but I absolutely loved those Saturdays.

That sounds like bliss!!

I used to work long shifts and lived on my own. My train stop had a Chinese takeaway right next door so there was more than one occasion when I’d pick up a takeaway on my way home. Only difference was I’d get something for 2 people and have it the next night too. In your position I’d probably have got more than one portion because my
DH would be disappointed to miss the leftovers when he got in.

Oh dear , just finished my second bottle of wine! I got a massage thingy for Christmas, it looks like a rubber pair of hands. I go to bed and put it on my hips 😝 I’ve been watching the Huw Edwards film but I’m not going to make it to the end 😂

People who live alone/are single etc are allowed to have takeaways. In fact…they do! And enjoy them!

Considering eating alone to be ‘sad’ is bizarre in my opinion - as if you can’t conceive people exist happily living their lives outside of couples/family units?

Same goes for theatre and cinema trips, eating out, going for a walk at a stately home…all these other things that sometimes crop up on here. For the record, these are all things it is perfectly possible and normal behaviour to do and enjoy on one’s own.

I’ll often have a takeaway washed down with wine on my own. Well, the cat is partial to a prawn cracker too, but I’m happy to share with him.