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Bank holidays

(65 Posts)
Luckylegs9 Sun 06-May-18 10:38:29

Don't you think bank holidays are difficult when on your own?

Mary59nana Mon 07-May-18 13:44:26

Saturday morning I felt so sad being on my own for the weekend I could of cried.
But that won’t help I told myself and painted my bedroom.
It helped but it’s sad for so many people but we all have each other on here.
Thank goodness x

pinkjj27 Mon 07-May-18 14:04:31

sarahellenwhitney Thank you for reminding me that i am not so strange don't forget shops might close early today.
Nanny27
I think there is forum with local groups but I cant ever find anything in my area but I am in South East of England SO1 area if anyone wants to start anything.

Allygran1 Mon 07-May-18 14:08:05

No. Bank holidays are just days. All the shops are open, our friends still live where they live, the telephone still works. Gransnet is still operating, the newspapers are still on sale.

Stop looking for reasons to feel lonely. It is not a good thing to do to yourselves.

Sunny82z Mon 07-May-18 14:38:04

A trifle harsh Allygran1? Possibly us ladies that are alone were "having a moment", it happens. When I am feeling a bit down about being on my own I put an Abba CD on and have a bop round the sitting room.

Legs55 Mon 07-May-18 14:40:55

I don't go out on Bank Holidays & rarely at the weekend unless it's to visit my DD & family or a Saturday/Sunday Lunch with a Meet Up group.

I prefer not too go out (unless it's to the local shop) as I live in a busy small Town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park & I'm about 8 miles from the coast.

I have spent the weekend pottering about in my garden, fortunately I like my own company. I hate getting stuck in traffic jams. Allygran I totally agree with you, no need to feel lonely although it is difficult if you're housebound or have no transport.

SunnySusie Mon 07-May-18 14:47:17

I actively dislike Bank Holidays, none of the normal events are on, most people are involved with family, the roads are jammed. However nothing compares with the awfulness of Christmas and New Year, so I am just counting the blessings of a sunny May Day. For a start its only one day, not an entire week and a half, and the weather is about as good as it ever gets - in the UK or abroad. 25 degrees, blue sky, no wind, cool nights, no bugs and all the trees in their beautiful brand new spring green foliage.

loopyloo Mon 07-May-18 15:33:11

Yes, my husband has just said he will be home late from work this evening so I am annoyed at the thought of spending the evening on my own. Anyone like to come round for drinks then go out for an Italian meal?
Don't have any sherry will have to be gin and tonic. No lemon either but do have ice.perhaps there should be a Bank Holiday Club.

Greengage Mon 07-May-18 15:56:50

I'm one of the lucky ones - have always been happy in my own company. My husband died over 11 years ago. Initially my two children were still based at home, but although I am now alone, I rarely suffer from loneliness.

Camelotclub Mon 07-May-18 16:15:13

I loathe bank holidays - always have, even though I have DH at home. But this one is passing me by as I had a hip replacement 10 days ago so am alternating between pain and drug induced stupors!

Allygran1 Mon 07-May-18 16:21:10

Sorry Sunny82z that you feel I am being harsh. My view is that being alone does not mean you have to be lonely. We are all different. But it does not help to encourage ones loneliness by indulging in being more lonely because it is a bank holiday, they are just days. Go out visit friends. Have a walk, do the garden, go on a coach trip, do what you would do normally. Don't assume I don't know something about this.

HillyN Mon 07-May-18 17:09:09

Pamdixon, I am abroad. It is raining and thundering, so I can't even sit outside! sad

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 07-May-18 17:14:05

Yes, I think they are a bit. Weekends aren't so bad but they tag on another day, don't they? It may be anathema to many of you but I do my big shop on Sundays, then I generally go until Tuesday until I see another person. I haven't shopped this week due to unusual circumstances. I'm being taken to a hospital appointment on Tuesday so things are a bit different.
Bank holidays seem to have a different feel to them which I can't explain. It's nice and quiet in the garden.

sunseeker Mon 07-May-18 17:21:08

Allygran1 Those of us who are alone don't want to impose on friends who are spending time with their families. Since being widowed I have also found the invitations to parties, BBQs and the like have dried up. I was always aware that the invites were mainly for my DH (he was the life and soul of the party) but to find out that neighbours have invited other neighbours and not me is hurtful, especially when they instruct those delivering parcels to leave them with me, ask me to watch their house when they are on holiday etc.

I do go out - a lot - but during a Bank Holiday to wander around alone when everyone else is enjoying family time is difficult - so please have some compassion.

MawBroon Mon 07-May-18 17:22:05

I haven’t read all the replies but there are of course different ways of looking at Bank Holidays! Now that most shops are open at least part of the day, they can be treated like any other Monday
Personally the last place I would head to on a BH would be the seaside or any major tourist attraction. Why ever?Now that I am retired I am free to go midweek or whever I feel like it.
This weekend I chose to head off on Friday morning visit my B and Sis in law for a couple of days then call in at DD’s (about midway, 75 miles) for yesterday afternoon and today, (leaving after lunch) as the little ones were off school and SIL was at home.
I didn’t actually register the fact that it was a BH except that there were more people out and about, sitting outside cafes and in the park. All very friendly!
I too have been on my own for the last 6 months now and it was frankly an effort to go away, but once done I have enjoyed it and feel Paw would have approved.
If you do choose to sit in the garden you can always make it a bit more special with extra special picnic food and drink, a new paperback (I know, I do live in the fast lane!) or if wet, treat myself to a DVD of a film I haven’t seen.
Life is for living, not wishing the days away. And contrary to the advance advertising or the media, the rest of the world are not frolicking on the beach showing off their super sleek figures!

Harris27 Mon 07-May-18 18:33:23

Read this today and say good luck to you all on your own hope you find something to do that will make you's happy .

Greengage Mon 07-May-18 20:07:41

MawBroon - Well said! You seem always to talk more sense than anyone else!

lemongrove Mon 07-May-18 20:16:01

I recognise that all holiday times can be difficult and even lonely for those living on their own.
We are actually tired out though, from hosting family and friends ( nice though it is) over the three days.Now need a day or two to recover and clean up!

mcem Mon 07-May-18 20:17:37

Just another day since I retired.
Coffee with a friend, shopping for a party dress for little DGD and luggage for big DGD 's 21st present.
Garden for an hour - watering and planting.
Could've been any Monday!

GabriellaG Mon 07-May-18 20:35:37

pinkjj27
Me too (SESurrey) but there ARE Meetup groups all over the place IF you care to travel to the destination. Sometimes the cost of travel negates the pleasure of the activity.

Kim19 Mon 07-May-18 20:52:02

Greengage, I really admire your attitude and style. Ditto from me.

Allygran1 Mon 07-May-18 23:00:15

Sun seeker Clearly you are feeling a great deal more than just bank holiday blues. You have my full compassion. Your friends are not being kind and that must hurt a great deal.

The problem with these on line communications is that feelings are hidden as with this instance under a heading like this one of bank holidays being hard when your on your own. It sounds to me from what you have said and directed to me that every day is bank holiday blues for you right now.

I hope that you will forgive me. This is clearly a bad time for you. I sincerely hope that you can find a way through your sadness.
Good wishes

Allygran1 Mon 07-May-18 23:04:28

Sunseeker, I have just had an idea. Why don't you invite all the neighbours and friends to your home for a BBQ one weekend.
It might help to let them know your still available and want to join in.

Good luck with all this. You will find a way through it.

MawBroon Mon 07-May-18 23:15:57

Are you the same person as Alygran?

Allygran1 Mon 07-May-18 23:42:32

MawBroon no. Why do you ask?

MawBroon Mon 07-May-18 23:47:33

Just that your username is so nearly identical. I wondered if you had left temporarily and returned and taken a name as close to your old one as possible.
That’s all.
Welcome, if you are new.