What do you do that is just for you?

I felt the same 12 years ago and did a flower arranging course at a local college. I loved the course so much that I went on to do three more years and gained a florist qualification. Purely for my fun and satisfaction. I still do weddings and funeral tributes for friends and family. In fact I'm planning to do the flowers for two granddaughters weddings next year!
Like so many of you I chill out with a good book, knitting, jigsaw, and daily sudokus.

I really enjoy audiobooks and recently joined the WI. I love massage, facials and pedicures. The latter 3, I tend to confine to just before I go away on holiday and whilst I’m away on holiday. We usually go away twice a year.

I retired 8 yrs ago bought a new car and regularly plan a day out and at times book an overnight stay in a B&B. Decided 5 yrs ago to try a solo holiday company and met some lovely friendly people. As a result of that first solo holiday I now have a ‘travel buddy’ friend and we’ve been on many hols since. I’ve joined a social group to go to the theatre and we usually meet early to have a meal prior to the show. I have good health for my age(69) and I’m going to make the most of it while I can!

I go to watch cricket matches. I follow England men and Ladies teams. I also love to watch child we foster play cricket in County Disability team home and away matches. I also like to watch the IPL on TV too. It feels indulgent to spent 4 hours for T20 game or all day in 50 overs or test match.

Learn to play the ukulele. Best thing I ever did!

Loads of crafts: lacemaking, knitting, crochet, x-stitch, needlefelting, kumihimo, paper crafts. Also play the piano. Out riding my motorcycle, better still ride out with a lady motorcyclist friend, and we do lunch or coffee and cake while we're out
Meet ex-colleague friends for lunch. Visit family. Gardening. Oddly enough, though my house is a tip, I enjoy cleaning my car and cleaning and tinkering with my motorcycle. I think the last 2 are a bit like being out in the garden- out in the fresh air, listening to the birds and a bit of time by myself. Also reading, drinking wine- doing those last 2 in the garden on fine days are even more enjoyable. Oh dear, what a self-indulgent person I am!

It’s going to my yoga classes ..... settling on my mat in a calm and restful studio knowing that this is my time .... just for me. Over time - through the practice of yoga - I have learned to let go of the stresses and the busyness of life and just cherish this time. The process of having ‘me’ time has impacted my life significantly....and for the better.

Hello there
I've recently started doing My Family tree and I'm obsessed lol..lots to learn but I an now in contact with 2 seconds cousins I didnt know
One in particular is a lovely warm lady who I look forward to meeting soon
I also like sewing and made 50 metres if bunting for My Daughters wedding..lots to learn with that too

I've tried Yoga and Pilates but find a set time to 'relax' just doesn't work for me - and my mind wanders as I'm too much of a fidget.Also recently retired I'm bucking the trend of friends to join all sortsof activities as after years of work,children etc relishing not having fixed times for everything.But gardening in summer -well all year weather permitting - and jigsaw are my me time and happy place.I get totally absorbed and switch off.Bliss.

Every few months i go on a day trip. I love it, i can shop, have lunch or just sit and watch the world go by. Sometimes i take an organised bus tour to a tourist site or sometimes the train to a new town. Pure bliss

Whatever I pick I feel so glad that so many people are taking care of themselves so well! I feel like I little time for me is a very good thing x

grannypiper I do this too! I love train journeys. May I recommend Beccles in Suffolk? A lovely little town on the river Waveney, with bookshops, independent shops and a great Spanish restaurant and deli.

Foxglove77 My goodness is Postcrossing still going? I was part of that for years and what fun it was.

Currently what I do for me is make up school lunches for the 'pataka' (public pantry) where people who need them can just come and help themselves.
Someone comes here to collect them for the pataka, Monday-Wednesdays.

It gives me a great sense of joy to think that some child, who would not normally have lunch, is enjoying one I made.

DoraMarr It has been a long time since i have been to East Anglia, maybe i need to pencil a visit in this year. I agree Beccles was a lovely place last time i visited, i could happilly sit on the banks of the Waveney and watch the boats go by

I go to two choirs and an art class purely for my own enjoyment. Since my husband has become increasingly narrow in his interests - and much more less inclined to socialise - I need to do things on my own.

If I have been feeling down, it lifts my spirits to join with a whole lot of other people and sing. Music is very important to me - as is mixing with other people (although I am by no means an extrovert) and taking part in performances and enjoying social events too. I also find painting and drawing a way of combining both concentration and relaxation.

My great sadness is that my husband now seems to be fixated on national and international politics, to the exclusion of almost everything else. In my view, this is bad for a person's mental and physical health and
is worrying.

It does take a little courage to join already established groups but I would urge anyone who is feeling somewhat "lost" to try some new interests, get out of the house and meet some new people.

Out of interest Eloethan did you have any background or known talent before you joined your art class?

I recently did a one-day 'fundamental of sketching' course at the V&A and it was obvious that I was the only true 'beginner'. Some of my offerings were comically bad and not sure if it's in me to improve.

But I did enjoy the day and now the proud owner of an A3 hardback, spiral bound, sketchpad - I felt very 'arty' just walking around with the thing!

Just wondering if I'm flogging a dead horse here

Spend several hours reading if I can but it's very unusual to have the time to do that. Preferably in the shade with a glass or two of white wine and some pistachios.

grannypiper and DoraMarr I love now doing days out or even a few days trip to towns I have not visited before..I am doing Shrewsbury next month, and York in June.

Love a train journey too, after a very busy working life, enjoy just sitting and watching the view go past.

Having my nails done and spending time on my own.

Riverwalk I enjoyed art at school and was, I thought, quite good at it. But I got a very average mark in my English GCE and, hugely disappointed and discouraged, decided I did not have enough ability to warrant continuing to A Level.

I have done several one-day courses but, up until the last couple of years, that was all. I now go to a class one morning a week and have found it has motivated me to do much more at home and to try out new materials and techniques.

Don't let seeing other people who you feel are far better than you discourage you from carrying on. Like anything else, it takes time and practice to improve. Successful athletes, writers, actors, singers, etc, etc, didn't get to where they are without practice. One lady in particular in our class has improved hugely over the last couple of years and that is down to her own self-belief and perseverance.

If you enjoy it, do it just for the love of it and I feel sure you will be surprised at how much you will achieve.

(There are also monthly free drawing and life drawing sessions at the National Portrait Gallery and there also used to be sessions at the National Gallery but I don't know if they still do them).

Thank you Eloethan - I will continue as did enjoy the day.

There is a follow-on course at Tate Britain where I might be able to further express myself on the Henry Moore's!

Both the V&A and Tate Britain are on my walking routes and I regularly visit both so feel would get double benefit from a walk and artistic endeavours

Riverwalk Good - I'm pleased you are continuing. As long as you enjoy what you are doing, it's worthwhile.