loneliness, weekends and having a routine

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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..