loneliness, weekends and having a routine

It sounds as though you already have a routine and structure to your w/e's.. so the only thing I can suggest is having something to look forward to..
as you have interests in art/meditation and yoga why don't you go away to a retreat/course centre for the odd w/e.. There are loads on offer if you google them.. always nice people on them..
also lots of Buddhist Centres do retreats without you needing to be Buddhist..

Thanks pascal30, I do have a weekend away with friends planned but the idea of putting in things to look forward to is something I could do more of.

You certainly sound very organised and have thought through your weekend carefully.
I think if I was in your situation I’d have lunch out somewhere busy. It’s not uncommon to see people launching on their own, but I do realise it’s not for everyone.

Lunching! I don’t often see people ‘launching’

Well done you should be pleased with yourself for your weekday activities.
I am now a widow (2years) and I am caring for our 3 adopted “children “ with Down Syndrome I find weekends very lonely and feel guilty as I am so lucky to have them! However when they are in respite I am a miserable old woman, life seems to have no purpose.
I can sort of understand how you feel! No idea what to suggest but this post has been cathartic Thankyou and take care

Thanks J52, there is a National Trust property not too far from me with a nice cafe and I am a member so I will try that for coffee and a scone and take a book.

Thanks you Fartooold. It can be hard to admit to loneliness but once you do you find out you are not the only one.

Is there some sort of volunteering you can do on the weekend? I find that giving some of my time to help someone else is very gratifying. It's very nice to be needed and very nice to help others, whether taking a child to a park or story time, helping someone with meals or shopping or just lending a hand at an elderly home or helping someone learn English.

I too am in the same position as you; have plenty to do in the week but hate the weekends.
It helps that I have a season ticket for a premiership rugby club, and if there's a film on I want to see, I make a point of going to a Sunday afternoon matinee. Sometimes I get on a bus and have a day out at one of two large shopping destinations.

At this time of year there are lots of Christmas fairs, if you like that sort of thing. I might pop into one but I don’t see anything I want to buy. I think I like the idea more than the reality! I can actually feel more lonely in a crowd so I prefer to be at home unless I am involved in something eg church, choirs. This time of year is quite busy for me with concerts most weekends.

Let me say Navy that it isn’t my intention to cause upset, but I doubt you’re lonely in the true sense of the word - more at a loose end on certain days?

I often wonder why people feel the need to fill every single moment of every day with ‘something’. Who said that was compulsory? Is just being alive and having activities during the week not enough? There are posters here with ill health, unable to get out at all, save for family or carers. Others are nursing sick loved ones and have become a prisoner of that illness. I’ve been there, so I’m just grateful to fill my week and find an ‘empty’ weekend just fine.

I’m sorry to hear your lifestyle is leaving you alone at weekends. I believe a little solitude is good for the soul. Perhaps you aren’t comfortable in your own home?

There are some good suggestions upthread, if you find any of them suit you.

Good luck.

When I have a really busy week, I welcome a weekend with very little to do

Where I live in London there's a scheme to help young readers improve. I think Queen Camilla is the patron. My friend who is involved meets with her young person at the library for an hour on Saturdays.

I am in full agreement with Georgesgran, I would say with such a busy week and with lots of family and family around you have an ideal life. A day or two on your own should be something to look forward to, not dread. There are many really lonely people out there with no one during the week as well as weekends.

Should read friends and family

Much as I loathe shopping centres at this time of year they are great for cheering you up with the antics of the children.

This morning I was laughing at a little girl, face painted like a reindeer, chatting with Father Christmas. She was obviously in awe, and when he wandered off down the street she watched until he was out of sight, then begged her Mum 'please can we go that way' - pointing after Father Christmas. Her next words were 'Will it snow now?'. I was chuckling away as I walked down the street.

Maybe you just need something to make you chuckle now and again to give you a bit of a lift?

If you enjoy hosting invite someone to stay for the weekend. You may then get a return invite.

If you are into vintage how about antique and craft fairs or car boots? There are always lots around here (Manchester)

Are there any sporting activities you fancy or activity groups you could join? Park run etc. Lots of those probably take place at the weekend.

Could you leave most of your jobs for the weekend? Washing, ironing, changing the bed, cleaning the bathroom, tidy the garden, putting the hoover round etc. A bit of local shopping. Just a thought. In the evening you will be ready for a sit down and watch tv with a glass of wine. There will be millions of people who feel exactly like you. Of that you can be sure.

Visit some places you haven't been before. Stop for lunch and most of a day has gone by and you've had a good time exploring.

At the moment I keep a large jigsaw on the go. It's amazing how quickly an hour passes.Do a bit from time to time.

Another one who agrees with Georgesgran and Marge75 comments.

At a loose end yes, but lonely no.

Almost sounds like bragging.

I would love to volunteer but due to my home situation I would be as useful as a chocolate teapot as I can’t rely on my three. Being lonely isn’t necessarily being alone in my case but talking to someone.

There's an App call MeetUp, that might help you . You enter your area (or areas) and find groups to meet up with. They sometimes do things at weekends. Today I went to a Cuppa, Cake or Brunch meeting at 10:30. They dont do much in the evening at weekends in my area but in some of the others they do. Also if you are on Facebook, there are Meetup groups for all different decades i.e. 50's 60's 70's and they meet in groups to make friends and then attend events.

Not 1950's ages 50's

Sometimes ramblers meet at the weekend if you are into walking.