25 Things To Do Without Your kids
It can be a lonely season in the beginning of your divorce especially. Sharing placement and custody is a hard adjustment. When your kids are with your ex spouse, if you continue to feel sad, alone, and bored, it is time to get up and get at it. Frittering time, calling people and complaining about your divorce, and waiting by the window for your children to return from their other parent will only make it worse.
Co Parenting is not easy. To help pass the time, and make it more meaningful, consider stepping out and spend your time on valuable experiences. Do things that fill your cup! Quality time spent will give you that serotonin boost you need and put you in a better mindset for when they return. After a weekend with the other parent, give your kids an orderly, peaceful house when they return. And, most importantly, the best version of you! Kids of divorce need that!
I will give you some of my top 25. For a full list of 50 Things. Click here.
1, Go to the library: be old school! Browse the shelves! Get lost in a book on something you always wanted to read about
2. Divorce can lead to unhealthy habits. Prioritize your wellness. Take a class at the Y. Keeping a gym routine will help you see the same people.
3. Your finances can take a hit in a divorce. Get a side job that is fun. Get paid to be around plants at a greenhouse. Work a shift at a coffee shop talking to people.
4. Go to the local farmer’s market. Vendors love to talk about their product, and people are out and about taking their time. Better than being a divorcee at a bar!
5. Single parenting post-divorce shifts your schedule around. If you are in a busy activity season with your kids, get some meals prepared and conveniently packed and labeled for quick needs.
6. Without worrying about your soon to be ex husband’s preferences, ask yourself what population do you like, kids? Elderly? Teens? Homeless? Women only organizations. Volunteer! Or, maybe you need a break from people. Nearly every community has a volunteer center that lists all the needs and opportunities.
7. Divorce can test your faith. Is it time to dial yours up? Serve. Almost every church has a variety of groups and service opportunities. Some of the larger non-denominational churches have a huge list! And always buzzing with people.
8. Clean the House. Without working around your ex husband’s messes. And, make it fun. Blast some music and stress clean!
9. Grocery shop on Slow Speed. When the kids were younger, it was always a rush. Get what you need and get out. Grab the usual and toss it in the cart. When I took my time and tried a new store, not my usual, I discovered new products and made new and better choices.
10. Coffeeshop Hang Out. During your divorce, many of us spent spare minutes researching something related to the divorce, like mediation, divorce lawyers, pro se, divorce court, custody, coparenting, and so much more. In hopes of a better divorce and separation outcome. What have you been interested in but not had the time to Google something without a time pressure? Grab a warm mug of something and enjoy.
11. Try a DIY Project. Redo your ex-husbands corners and areas. Put a coat of paint and put new hardware on a dresser. Try wallpaper!
12. Be crafty. Knit, crochet, make a tie blanket. Lots of YouTube tutorials. Make some Christmas decorations.
13. Do some planting. There is some symbolism here. Starting over after divorce is all about new growth. Repot some plants or start some new ones.
14. Maybe your ex-husband was the techy person in the house. Now you need to teach yourself. How about installing a ring doorbell? Download a travel or wellness app.
15. Organize the Photos. Get rid of the ones pre divorce that show how unauthentic you were living. Your wedding photos don’t need to be kept if that no longer makes you happy.
16. Divorce is expensive. Maybe you need to cancel some subscriptions, until the legal bills are paid. Services only your ex husband cared about, like the lawn care. Reprice Services. Car insurance? Get rid of cable? And there is money to be saved.
17. Plan a Vacation: Maybe it is for this year. Maybe it will be your dream trip for 10 years from now. Dream and explore and do a little homework. Single moms travel too!
18. Join a Hiking Group. They are everywhere. Women Who Walk. Check Facebook. Great way to meet new people and get fresh air.
19. Paint a Room. Maybe it needs it. Maybe it doesn’t. A fresh color can look and feel great.
20. You’re a history buff but your ex-spouse was not? Go to a Museum and take your time.
21. Rekindle an Old Friendship. Everyone has heard “We should get together.” “Would love to catch up”. I am not talking about getting into the dating scene post divorce. Talking about friendships.
22. Try a New Look. If you are like me, your hair, make-up, and style has not changed in a while. Maybe it is time to dye the greys and redo the eye makeup with a current look. Take inventory in the closet and get rid of anything not worn in a year or that doesn’t make you feel comfortable and confident.
23. Attend a Community or Neighborhood Event. Local festivals or fundraisers. Ask a friend to join you. Even if it is for a few hours. You are ok to be there single! It isn’t a couples event.
24. Plan a Family Reunion. Focus on your family as you come to terms with your former in laws will have a difference place in your life post-divorce. Were your cousins your best friends growing up? Plan a lunch!
25. Movie Night. Your choice. Not what the kids want to watch. Not what your ex husband liked. Your genre preference!
Focus on you! I have 25 more to tell you about. Go to my 50 Things to Do
