What could I do in the evenings?

[Panticles]

I am putting together a bank of suggestion for summer evenings. I am living alone, have a limited amount of money and no TV. What might I like to do so I feel less lonely.

Come and join a few of us doing this free course:

www.futurelearn.com/courses/how-to-read-a-novel/7/welcome

The books may be available online or physically via your local library (and you don't HAVE to have read the books to take part in the online discussions as they post a summary of the bits being discussed)

Lots of other great free courses on FutureLearn too!

A lot of libraries give you free access to hundreds of magazines now too via services such as RBDigital.

There may be some interesting online groups via meetup.com?

Using my details from my local library I can access free ebooks online from Borrowbox - I have used this so much during lockdown, if that is an option for you?

Might be worth joining a local Freecycle/ Freegle/Trash Nothing site and asking for a old working laptop or tablet? Or a DV charity might be able to help you get one?

Are you a member of a library? Ours isn't open but they have an app where you can download audiobooks and books.

I've just joined these online fitness classes for £10 a month, they are great as they are at all different times with an instructor in NZ and one in England plus recordings available.

There is a charity called the cinnamon trust. They link volunteers with elderly/ill people who need a little help to take care of their pets. Could be dog walking, fostering, taking them to the vets, helping with grooming. If you dog walk, you get to go out and get some fresh air, and help somebody and you could also become friends with the person needing the help

If you are based in a fairly big town and like animals you could try ‘borrow my doggy’ ? I’ve had a few locals borrow my pooch and built genuine friendships.. the joining fee for a borrower is quite low and you’d have a companion for a walk?

Audible are currently offering free children’s audio books to listen to via their website. It includes all the Harry Potter books read by Stephen Fry - also a load of classics like Jane Austen etc. They might be nice to listen to of an evening x

You could knit squares for the Woollyhugs group.

@Panticles - if you want to tag someone (alert them back to the thread) you use the @ button.

Cooking!

I watch TV on my phone. Some people might find it too small but I like it. You can get Netflix or Amazon Prime, iPlayer, etc.

To relax I do adult colouring. I've got some books but also a couple of apps on my phone.

I think learning a new language or an instrument can really invigorate the brain. If you could borrow e.g. a guitar or recorder from a friend. Some free online lessons available but would use data.

Thanks everyone for being so practical and positive. It is lovely to feel like the world is full of friendly strangers thinking of ways to ease the way into the future.
Of course you have collectively given me what I needed this evening which was friendship and hope.

Glad to have helped. There is always someone on mn to talk to. Good luck!

Could you get a bike, somehow? Borrow one, or ask for one on Facebook? Evening cycles are such a way to spend an evening.

Audiobooks or podcasts.

Walking someone’s dog.

Allotmenting.

Running/ couch to 5k

Adult colouring (or painting)

Do you live anywhere near the sea OP?
I am lucky I live short walk from the sea. I plug my radio in my ears and walk and listen and sing along to heart radio. It definitely cheers me up sometimes (I by my own too)
I stay put as late as I can sometimes if dry.
E.g. I got home at 21:00 tonight, just had tea and will now be going to bed shortly.
It keeps me moving of an evening and singing along to the radio by the sea is definitely good for my soul
Maybe if you not got the sea you have somewhere else you could do this?

You could try these suggestions and blog about them! This would help all of us on our own and also let you connect with people in similar situations from all over the world. Hope you enjoy all the ones you try to implement.

Watch tv on your phone?

Duolinguo for learning a language? There are lots of options on there and it's free (though you will need to put up with adverts)

I have been enjoying learning French on duolingo. The way the app is set up makes it almost like playing an online game but the outcome at the end is much more worthwhile.

Bath and music.
Puzzle games.
Word search.
Puzzles
Colouring
Excercise
Penpals
Read books
Google things you are interested in
Bake
See
Knit
Crochet
Learn a new skill.
Get a pet?

OP if you fancy getting into cross stitch I have several abandoned projects, I can't focus on it these days because my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be. I would be very happy to pass them on to you, they're just sitting there gathering dust, PM me your address and I'll pop them in the post
Best of luck with your new life

Jigsaws...so relaxing and focussed.

Or what about using your wish to connect with others to earn some money as a tutor, talking online in English. Something such as

www.cambly.com/en/tutors?lang=en&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cambly.com%2Fen%2Ftutor%2F&#login