Laura Corin Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I have the house to myself (apart from the dog) for 31 hours between putting my son onto a train this morning and picking up Husband from a train tomorrow evening. I don't have full freedom, as I work full time, but I work at home, can take a lunch break and can stop at 5pm. How would you enjoy the time? I have decided not to visit my mother this evening - I'll do a longer visit on Saturday instead. I'll take a walk in the sunshine at lunchtime, but I do that anyway. I've also defrosted prawns to make my favourite lunch; I'm thinking about what I really want for supper. I'm not eating out at present and there isn't worthwhile takeaway/delivery here. As usual, I'll do yoga after work. I'll skip housework apart from essentials. What would you do? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eos Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Listening, as I will also be alone this weekend. Hike, read, maybe a movie that my family won't watch. When I was younger I would listen to loud music and rearrange the furniture but those days are past. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I would be getting takeout/delivery and would not be cooking with that precious time 😁. I would take an uninterrupted nap, organize my cross-stitch stash (where I could spread everything out in my bedroom to see what I actually need to organize), watch a movie, take a hot bath, and have a nice glass of wine. I would not spend it on my phone or computer. I am jealous 😂😂! Enjoy your time! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 When I have the house to myself I make whatever I want for dinner, usually an old favorite that dh doesn't cook (he does all the cooking), as well as have snacks that I don't normally eat. I will watch movies that he doesn't want to see or listen to music, and usually I read quite a bit. I do tend to do some bigger cleaning projects that are easier to do with nobody else here. We have a very small house so it's impossible for me to do big organizational projects with people around. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Eat cereal instead of feeling the need to cook yet another meal. Nap. Have a friend over for an outdoor visit. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 It’s been two years since I’ve had more than hour or two to myself; I can barely remember how relaxing it is. Weirdly, I am much more productive when I’m alone, so I would crank up my music (usually I have to listen on earphones) and organize and deep clean the house. Cleaning uninterrupted can be very relaxing for me, though. Enjoy your time— it sounds amazing! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 19 minutes ago, MEmama said: It’s been two years since I’ve had more than hour or two to myself; I can barely remember how relaxing it is. Weirdly, I am much more productive when I’m alone, so I would crank up my music (usually I have to listen on earphones) and organize and deep clean the house. Cleaning uninterrupted can be very relaxing for me, though. Enjoy your time— it sounds amazing! Same for me. I love to clean alone. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Loud, disruptive cleaning whenever I want. Play podcasts loudly instead of through earphones. Practice piano, especially new pieces that I can spend oodles of time playing badly (piano is in the same room as our home office). Long meditation right in the middle of the house; maybe try a new technique. Hang/re-hang pictures on the walls 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emba Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I would eat leftovers so I don’t have to cook, and then watch movies or shows that no one else wants to. I might do yoga in the living room where there’s lots of space, instead of in my bedroom. I would definitely not clean more than the bare minimum. I would read. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VickiMNE Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 When I find myself in that fortunate situation, I have meals I like (Shrimp!!!), write uninterrupted, and have what I call Spa Time--long soak, face mask, etc. Stuff I find hard to squeeze in when dealing with our ordinary busy life. If I get a couple of days in a row to myself (HAHAHAHA), I invite a friend over but with just one day, I enjoy the blissful solitude. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Read, go into my woodland garden and listen to music, research more plants online, bake, bulk cook, watch an interesting tv show/movie, or sew. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I make myself some food that only I like - I enjoy cooking so it's not a burden - and read or work on a small project. I might go for a hike depending on my motivation, weather, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I try to split the time evenly between getting a needed task accomplished (usually house cleaning) and a fully relaxing time (read, nap, TV, etc). That way I'm a bit more prepared for the Regular Routine when everyone comes back home. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 (edited) Sometimes when that happens (never so long, rarely truly alone, but close) I rebel against my nature and I don't plan out the time! Gasp! I just do what I want *in the moment*! 😄 But in the end my list looks a lot like the things already mentioned. It tends to be my most creative time, because I can really sink in to a project without interruption. Enjoy! Edited January 20, 2022 by SusanC argh. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonhawk Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Dance naked. Not because I want to, but because I can. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 42 minutes ago, SusanC said: Sometimes when that happens (never do long, rarely truly alive, but close) I rebel against my nature and I don't plan out the time! Gasp! I just do what I want *in the moment*! 😄 This is the most intriguing idea. I'm a planner too. I'll try standing and breathing after work and yoga, just to see what seems good. So far: nice lunch, good walk and outdoor chat with neighbours, planted some basil seeds, started on a long-delayed work project which could be satisfying. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I had a few hours to myself last month (except for the cats). I don't remember what I did exactly - I think I read and watched Netflix... uninterrupted. It was glorious! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Sometimes I have 1.5-2 hours to myself on Sunday afternoons. Lately I exercise, then read. I used to meditate and need to get back to that. Sometimes I have, instead, tried to "get things done." Especially recently. I'm trying to move away from that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I turn music on and sing and dance around the house with abandon. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Crank up the music. Today it's Instrumental Funk. Cook something that dh can't eat or doesn't like. Or cook something super simple. Call a girlfriend to chat. Sometimes if I have one to do, a bigg(ish) project that I can do best without interruption. Take a bath. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 When I had time to myself this past weekend, I assembled the carpet cleaner we bought weeks ago and hadn't even taken out of the box, steam cleaned the carpets all over the house, ate whatever I wanted for lunch and then watched a movie I knew my husband wasn't interested in seeing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 For me it depends. If I’ve been super busy I might need to do nothing but eat food only I like and relax. If I’m not in need of downtime I’d put on a podcast or music and clean and organize. My clothes need to be gone through so that’s what I’d probably do. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Play loud music or listen to podcasts while tidying or organizing or cleaning. Nap Work on something that takes uninterrupted concentration. Read Think out loud! I am a verbal processor and cannot do this when anyone else is home. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I actually haven’t had the house to myself in 10 years! If I did, I wouldn’t stay! I’d go hiking. The woods is my happy place. Being inside makes me anxious and bored. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 8 hours ago, mlktwins said: I would be getting takeout/delivery and would not be cooking with that precious time 😁. organize my cross-stitch stash (where I could spread everything out in my bedroom to see what I actually need to organize), I would do a project or be a vegetable. I would definitely podcast, listen to music, and/or an audiobook. Project can means lots of things from tackling something I've looked forward to to prepping things I want to do so that I can enjoy doing them in bits and pieces until my next uninterrupted time. I like to leave a thread un-pulled, so to speak, for the next time...it helps me to have an obvious and simple task in front of me that's easy to do so that I can get in the groove without a big initiation hump. Using uninterrupted time to set that up gives me a lot of satisfaction, and I tend to use my time better in the long run. Organizing like mlktwins says here is something I tend to need to do in order to get motivation and creativity going. I need to make a "mess" and spread things out to connect with my options and settle into a plan of action. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 (edited) I had an eccentric evening, but it worked well for me - Stretchy yoga Cup of decaff tea while watching the first third of Charade. Made supper - prawns, roast cauliflower and edamame beans with yoghurt-mint-lime-tahini dressing - and ate it while watching the second third of Charade Tidied up supper and put on a wash, then watched the last third of Charade with another cup of decaff tea. Warm bath with Lord Peter short stories. Now bed betimes. Like I say - eccentric, but the rhythm really worked. And not something that would have made sense with anyone else in the house. Edited January 20, 2022 by Laura Corin 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I get sushi and a slice of cheesecake and watch a movie no one else in my house wants to watch with me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Paint the bathroom ceiling. I have been waiting for the last 2 years for dh and the twins to go camping so I can paint it. It is pretty bad the old paint is peeling off, but we cannot have the room not functioning with everyone here. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoeless Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 I would watch Inspector Poirot movies all.night.long., eat nachos, and sleep. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilma Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 This happens for me roughly a weekend every other year ish. I always plan a couple of big hikes with my dog, get junky take out food on the way home, luxuriate in a shower and then watch a movie only I will like. I look forward to this and LOVE it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GracieJane Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Ooh I love those nights! I always eat some non-food dinner (like Hot Cheetos and grapes), read books in my sweatpants and apply some hydrating, garish face mask and paint my nails. Then I finish the evening with an episode of Golden Girls. Better than a spa day! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 If I had the house to myself for an extended period of time I'd use half of it to work on my ebay business and the other half watching whatever I wanted while cuddling my dogs. I'd eat whatever didn't require me to cook and I wouldn't clean the house at all unless it was my office 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history-fan Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 I think it would depend on how the rest of the morning or day started. Probably just be still and listen to the quiet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eos Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 13 hours ago, Eos said: maybe a movie that my family won't watch. Quoting myself because... 1 hour ago, MissLemon said: I would watch Inspector Poirot movies all.night.long. sister, these are what I was thinking of when I posted earlier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Well, nowadays I have a puppy here, so my answers are affected by that. Specifically the "sleep until 2pm" part. 😛 I think the main way I'd take advantage would be to play music. For hours. I'd say yoga in the common areas, but not with the dog hair .... And I'd probably clean and clean and clean, especially in my kids' rooms. (But realistically, I'd probably be trying to move a mountain of client work and waste the opportunity to enjoy my time alone.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 17 hours ago, Melissa in Australia said: Paint the bathroom ceiling. I have been waiting for the last 2 years for dh and the twins to go camping so I can paint it. It is pretty bad the old paint is peeling off, but we cannot have the room not functioning with everyone here. Right? Every dang wall and ceiling in my house needs painting and I just don’t have the strength to do it with 4 kids 10 and under. Just can’t. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Watch movies nobody else likes. Order my favorite food takeout, Turn on old rock music and throw out old junk without having anyone else around to protest. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Read uninterrupted! Make a meal or two that my husband doesn’t really like. My husband is pretty easy to live with, so there’s not really anything I’m longing to do. 🙂 Anne 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eos Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 (edited) I'm struck by how similar sounding many of our responses are. We seem to be a group that likes cleaning but also not cleaning, yoga, movies, takeout food, music, hiking, and books - with time alone to enjoy them! My empty house of tonight has vanished, too cold for dh and dd to go camping. 😞 Edited January 22, 2022 by Eos 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 8 minutes ago, Eos said: I'm struck by how similar sounding many of our responses are. We seem to be a group that likes cleaning but also not cleaning, yoga, movies, takeout food, music, hiking, and books - with time alone to enjoy them! My empty house of tonight has vanished, too cold for dh and dd to go camping. 😞 My deepest condolences. I know the feeling well, the promise of even a precious hour alone unceremoniously taken away. 😞 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 (edited) I know you are no longer alone. But for me, I just love the quiet. If I decide to something downstairs like a project, I will put Netflix onto a show I have seen before and just listen to it. I rarely watch/listen to TV downstairs and pretty much only when I am alone. I guess that is something I do much more when I am alone....be downstairs. I usually hang out upstairs in my room to avoid drama with dd15, so it sometimes feels odd to be downstairs in the main areas of the house. Edited January 23, 2022 by Tap 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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