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How do you spend your Sundays?

(154 Posts)
keepingquiet Sun 04-May-25 21:22:11

I'm sure I'm not on my own here but I find Sundays to be the most challenging day of the week.

Today was no exception-as the only person I've spoken to today has been my son, who clearly didn't want to converse with me.

So after a few chores I went off to do my big food shop. I resent doing this in the week as I'd rather be doing other things and it does get me out of the house. I have even had my Sunday lunch in the supermarket cafe at times, sitting there like Milly no mates.

A cloud of gloom comes over me as I have to pass childhood haunts on my way, and this depression lasts for the rest of the day.

I forced myself into taking a walk, but again, I passed family groups out walking together often three generations just chilling out together and it makes me sad that I'm on my own.

The thing is I have lots of family and friends to keep me company in the week but on Sundays they all seem to be doing things with their own families and never think to include me.

I even joined a walking group to get out more but even they don't do Sunday walks.

I thought about going to the cinema but there was nothing on, and Sunday TV is dire.

I am well aware that not everyone is playing happy familys and I can't be the only person whose loneliness is just compounded on Sundays.

Realising that tomorrow is a BH makes me think tomorrow might just be the same...

So, are you on your own? How do you fill your Sundays? I would love to know if you consider them to be enjoyable, or are you like me and think they are just to be endured?

Retread Sun 04-May-25 22:04:54

Sundays are generally quiet for us. If my OH is off playing golf and I'm on my own, I usually phone my sister who lives in Ireland for a chat.

Or I read or sometimes go for a walk. I'm known to chat to strangers, I call them "random encounters". Today I walked around the block and chatted to someone weeding their garden, then walked on. Sometimes I vary my route, looking at what's in flower etc. in gardens.

thanks

Mogsmaw Sun 04-May-25 22:21:01

I’ve found myself working most Sundays. I work in a stationary/book/toy shop, I love it, the customers are great. But working every weekend and most of the week is not what I signed up for!
Rotas are constantly changing and I’ve had enough!
I’ve given my notice but they are still changing my hours so…
I’m just jacking it in, today was my last day. I’m not working my notice, I’m not going back!

Fidelity2 Sun 04-May-25 23:10:46

I do a bit of gardening if the weather is OK.
Always record Songs of Praise on TV, so watch that when it is convenient. My Son and Daughter in Law visit for an hour or so. I have 76 episodes of Last of the Summer Wine recorded so I watch as many as want to of those.There is my knitting of squares to make into a blanket, or do a bit of reading, or perhaps do a couple of crosswords out of my crossword book.

Toetoe Sun 04-May-25 23:29:56

I'm mostly on my own , the winter Sundays long and lonely . This warmer weather I enjoy my morning pot of coffee in my conservatory. Dress late . Read stuff on the net . I cook a nice lunch with a glass or two of wine . Usually have a nap . Then early evening get ready for church . Home at 8pm then tv then bed . I'm used to alone now .

henetha Sun 04-May-25 23:39:37

One of my sons comes to dinner every Sunday now, since his divorce. I used to find Sundays dreadful so this is such a comfort.

Luminance Sun 04-May-25 23:54:02

My "Sunday" moves depending on my shifts. I like to try and get household chores done during the week to ensure they are free for family and relaxing.

Macgran43 Mon 05-May-25 00:35:05

Go to church in the morning usually. Didn't today as grandson was coming but then he cancelled at last minute
Phoned a friend who lives in Wales. Went to a garden centre . Bit of gardening but I'm not able to do much. Sunday can be my worst day as I remember Sundays in the past when my DH and myself would visit our parents and see other family members. I do occasionally see my family and realise I'm luckier than a lot of older friends whose family are far away.

Mt61 Mon 05-May-25 00:38:30

Toetoe

I'm mostly on my own , the winter Sundays long and lonely . This warmer weather I enjoy my morning pot of coffee in my conservatory. Dress late . Read stuff on the net . I cook a nice lunch with a glass or two of wine . Usually have a nap . Then early evening get ready for church . Home at 8pm then tv then bed . I'm used to alone now .

Sounds perfect to me 😊

nanna8 Mon 05-May-25 03:27:22

Church in the morning usually and then either gardening or sometimes meet family for a meal or down at the beach. My church doesn’t have evening services because we meet in a school hall and haven’t got our own building. A blessing or a curse, depending how you look at it. Presbyterian, nothing unusual but no reasonably priced buildings round our small town. Congregation around 70-100 usually so smallish.

HelterSkelter1 Mon 05-May-25 05:37:56

I am always relieved to wake up to Monday. Well I am always relieved to wake up full stop!

ronib Mon 05-May-25 05:47:15

Cooked Sunday lunch for three, gardened, watched some snooker, then highlight was unexpected arrival of two young grandchildren. I tried child guided play but not too sure…. My grandson left calling me mean for not giving him a treat to eat before supper as his parents had said no ….tidied up. It’s surprising how playdough rolls every where…

BlueBelle Mon 05-May-25 06:00:57

As I’ve got older and been alone a long time Sundays are no different to the rest of the week and with supermarkets open I often walk to my nearest todo my weekly shop or go to the allotment or the beach If my daughter is around especially in the summertime we may meet at the beach but I really really prefer it when I know she is doing something with friends herself I have a weekly messenger phone call with my NZ son If the weathers bad it’s just a potter round the house but that’s the same for the other days except my work days

I don’t find Sundays any different to the rest of the week the shops are open, the buses are running, what’s different ???

RosesandLilac Mon 05-May-25 06:04:41

I used to hate Sundays as a child because nothing ever happened and I was made to go to church.
I honestly don’t see Sundays as any different to the rest of the week, it’s just another day.
I’m lucky in that I can do whatever I like; there are two dogs to be walked and a dinner to be cooked but besides that it’s up to me 😊

Greyduster Mon 05-May-25 06:46:04

Being pretty active and involved during the week, I have come to hate weekends generally. Every other Sunday I cook Sunday lunch for DD, SiL and GS and it’s lovely to have people around my table. If I have no company I read, write, walk, or spend time in the garden.

karmalady Mon 05-May-25 06:52:11

Widowed, I love the weekends, the special vibe has continued, I made it continue

Sundays this summer, are usually a choice between a long cycle ride near the somerset levels, past apple orchards and very old houses and churches or a long session at my allotment. Both give me the opportunity to get into countryside and fresh air and both give me the feel-good factor with an uplift. I get home for a nice late lunch and then settle to read or watch a film

I do have a simple treat to eat, could be a pain chocolat or some nice chocolate or some home made clotted cream ice cream

fiorentina51 Mon 05-May-25 07:05:13

I volunteer at a local museum and often do a weekend session, through choice, especially since the death of my husband.
If I'm not on rota to work a Sunday, I just potter about doing jobs, relaxing or going for lunch at my son's house.

Yesterday was different. My daughter got married on Saturday. As she lives a 2 hour drive away from me, I decided to come up on Friday and spend a few nights in a hotel.
Saturday was full on and very enjoyable. Yesterday I was on my own, so decided to go for a walk.

Cutting a long story short, I popped into the ancient village church next door to the hotel and bumped into a lady I had met there on a previous visit, just after my husband's death.
On that occasion we had chatted and comforted each other as her husband had died a week before mine.

We chatted for ages and I ended up at her house for coffee and biscuits and later, wine and nibbles.
I didn't get back to the hotel until 6pm. We had nattered for over 6 hours!
I think we both needed It!

M0nica Mon 05-May-25 07:10:31

I do not live alone, so I am not alone on Sundays, but in the past DH was away a lot, often for weeks or even months, so I have experience of being at home alone on Sundays.

Personally, it never bothered me. I am a person who needs space and time alone and as far as I was concerned Sunday was just another day and I spent it as I spent other days. In the past i was a regular church goer, but i would go out to events on locally, do the garden.

My children's careers took both of them 100 miles away or more, we are now moving to be nearer to them, so regular family visits have never been part of my life.

My DD has chosen quite consciously neither to have a partner or children and has lived alone all her adult life. Sunday is quite busy for her. She has regular activities on Sunday and uses it as an opportunity to visit places and events.

I say all this not to diminish in anyway the problems the OP and others face in being alone on Sundays, but to point out, that often these problems arise from the people we are, aspects of us that are born into us. Some see Sunday on their own, when others are so busy with personal affairs, isolating. Others give a skip and jump and enjoy such days. It is all very personal.

lafergar Mon 05-May-25 07:11:57

When people start these threads, possibly feeling a bit low and isolated and out of sorts it's a strange thing.

Does it infact increase that sense of isolation when people appear to be busy or self sufficient?

Sundays for me as a child were very long. The only respite was listening to the Charts in the evening and trying to tape the songs without the DJ chat. Remember that anyone!

I used to enjoy the SA Church but I don't believe in it sadly. Miss that sense of community.

M0nica Mon 05-May-25 07:16:45

But every thread should be open to different views and attitudes.

Iam64 Mon 05-May-25 07:19:02

I’ve found Sundays a challenge since my husband died. Once retired, we had kept weekends special as they were when working. Sundays were long walks with the dogs, big breakfast, reading the papers and maybe a doze in the afternoon. Then a roast dinner.
I try to arrange something that means I see family or friends. I still get a walk and make something a bit special for main meal. I empathise keepingquiet

lafergar Mon 05-May-25 07:39:37

M0nica

But every thread should be open to different views and attitudes.

I didn't say it wasn't. I just can't be bothered any more.

Perhaps people reach out here for some sense of understanding, support , a kindred spirit.

Anybody feeling a bit low or a bit out of sorts feel free to drop me a message.

Astitchintime Mon 05-May-25 07:45:14

“I even joined a walking group to get out more but even they don't do Sunday walks.”
Have you considered asking around in that group to see if anyone else is ever alone on Sundays and would like to join you on a walk? Surely you can be the only person who is always on their own on Sundays?

Ziggy62 Mon 05-May-25 07:47:32

Sorry to hear you're not enjoying Sundays

After many years in childcare and many years of entertaining family on a Sunday, when my first husband died in 2007 I enjoyed spending Sundays on my own

I love listening to the radio/music, also will happily sit most of the day with a good book.
Tbh the thought of a houseful of guests for Sunday lunch now is my worse nightmare lol but we're all different

Hope you have a good day today xxx

Siptree Mon 05-May-25 08:58:25

I don't like going out at weekends as most places for leisure are busier and I don't enjoy that. As I have half price electricity for much of Sunday I do the washing and gardening and use as much electricity using power tools and batch cooking etc. I go out in the week when things are less busy. I see family on Saturdays mostly.