Stream of Consciousness Sunday: Homebody

by Fadra Nally on November 13, 2011 · 53 comments

in Family Life,Household,Stream of Consciousness Sunday,Writing

I have an i problem. Not an eye problem but an “i” problem because every time I tried to type “I” it seemed to come out as “i” and in the true spirit of stream of consciousness, I left it.

This week was a little busy and I only recently sat down to read last week’s posts. And you know what? It was a record-breaking week. I’m starting to think you guys like this whole brain dump concept.

And I love, love, LOVE finding new blogs and especially new people on Twitter. I love to tweet, like, A LOT. So if you haven’t had the chance, I’d love it if you follow me @allthingsfadra. If I’m new to your site, I usually try to find your Twitter ID and follow. If it’s not immediately obvious, leave me a comment with your ID. I’ll definitely follow you and I always try to give a retweet to anything tagged with #SOCSunday.

Now that that’s out of the way, go forth and read about how I became a homebody.

***


Whatever the opposite of homebody is, that’s what I used to be. Seriously. Even when I was a single girl, I couldn’t stand the thought of staying home.

I used to work a 10:30 to 7:30 shift (which are like peak hours for me). It was awesome because I could stay up until 1am every night and get up at 9 and be at work by 10:30. Late nights AND 8 hours of sleep.

Back then, I was okay getting home from work close to 8pm and hanging out in my apartment. But on weekends, I needed to do something. Go somewhere.

If I was between boyfriends, I’d take myself to the movies. All by myself. Or I’d go shopping. or go to a concert. Often by myself (never had close girlfriends until the past few years).

Even once I married, i was always ready to go somewhere on the weekends. i NEEDED it. Even if it was simply to go out to eat. In fact, we went out to eat a lot.

Then I had a kid. I had a rude awakening and was home A LOT. Luckily, I had some mommy friends that would invite me out. Everytime they asked, it was a resounding YES.

But something has changed over the past 2 years. I started “working” from home. I started to enjoy the solitude of my house. i started to enjoy when we were all together cooking dinner, watching family shows, and just being together.

I never thought I’d be this way but I am a homebody.

***

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

  • Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
  • Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
  • Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
  • Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
  • Link up your post below.
  • Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Now…

1. Grab the button

(it’s over in the sidebar)

2. Write your post.

3. Link up here.

Related Posts with Thumbnails
  • http://www.fromtracie.com From Tracie

    My life took a very similar turn after becoming a mom. I used to be out most nights of the week doing something (even if it was just going out to eat – not having to cook or clean a kitchen is a beautiful thing), but in the years since my daughter was born, I have become much more content to stay at home. 

    I used to tease my mom for being a homebody when I was a busy teenager – maybe it is a mom thing? 

    • Anonymous

      Maybe we’re just done with that part of our life. It’s not that we’re old. It’s that we’ve evolved.

  • http://dlc.net Dana Coe

    I guess when you complete the move to Maryland it will be to an Isolated Compound, and you will love it.

    • Anonymous

      I was thinking more of a commune but compound sounds more Kennedy-esque.

  • Pingback: SOC Sunday: Stressed | My Life

  • http://dominiquegoh.com Dominiquegoh

    I’ve always been a homebody.. I guess even more now when it can be a logistic nightmare at times going out alone with the 3 kids. I guess being a mom really changes one. 

    • Anonymous

      GAH! 3 kids out by yourself? No thank you. Yes, that would drive me to stay home. And drink ;)

  • http://twitter.com/AmeenaFalchetto Ameena Falchetto

    I am the same … I’ve worked from home for a long time before I became a mum but now BIP is here I love staying home … I wonder if it’s the fatigue from the day but I can’t be bothered going out – I used to go out A LOT pre-baby. I sometimes crave my old life and then I think about it and prefer to hang out at home. 

    • Anonymous

      I miss having the occasion to get dressed up and go out. But the reality is that I’m much more content having a glass of wine and getting comfy on the couch.

  • Stacy

    I noticed the same things changed about my life.  But I don’t mind it.  I see it as evolving.  my life is changing.  

    http://www.rosefromrosedale.com

    • Anonymous

      Ha! I just said the same thing to someone above. It IS an evolution! As long as you don’t get stuck in a rut.

  • Pingback: Stream Of Consciousness Sunday: Hermione Rocks » Four Against Two

  • http://kallaydoscope.com/ Kallay

    I was the same way living in the city. I hated being home, even after work, I just wanted to go *do* something. I did yoga, went out to eat with friends, went dancing on the weekends or to the movies, I just wanted out. So, when I moved back to Michigan and didn’t have any friends or anywhere to go, I got a little depressed. Then we had the girls, and it got worse. I’ve recently made some more friends and have been getting out more, which makes me feel like I’m much more productive, when in fact, I’m just breathing fresher air. I’m still waiting for that busy body in me to calm down and appreciate the comforts of home. 

    • Anonymous

      Only this fall once we switched my son to 3 days a week of homecare to 3 mornings of preschool did I start to feel a little stir crazy. I do need to get out once in a while and I’m reminded of that when I spend waaaaay too long at Target!

  • http://www.fumblingtowardsnormalcy.com Shana

    I was the same way…always wanting to be out and doing something.  Now I find myself wanting to stay home more often.  Sometimes, I’ll even be getting ready to go out and I find myself dreading it.  Funny how things change.

    • Anonymous

      I’m the same way. I’ll say “I really don’t even feel like going out tonight” but once I get out, I always have a good time (P.S. I’m the same way about blogging conferences!)

  • http://twitter.com/dutchbeingme Julie

    I go between being a homebody and wanting to be out. My thing is – if I am out – I want to be out with others. If I am home I want to be alone. I might be weird. :)

    • Anonymous

      I think that’s totally normally. Home is my safe space and there is something so peaceful about being home alone. Sometimes, though, when I’m out, I prefer to be by myself. There’s a bit of a loner in me, believe it or not.

  • http://phasesofme.com Crystal @ Phases Of Me

    I’ve always been a homebody, and now, I’m rarely home. Between my job and trying to have a little social life, there just aren’t enough hours in the day! I kinda miss just hanging out at the house.

    • Anonymous

      I think you appreciate your home life more once you don’t have it as much!

  • http://thewalmartgourmet.com Leah Lynch

    So funny that you wrote about this today.  I am working on a post about the top ten reasons I’d like to be on house arrest. :)  Because my family “accused”  me of being a homebody the other day.  Like it was a bad thing.  I love it.  Love being home.  With my stuff.  Drinking my wine.  Eating my food.  Nothing wrong with being a homebody. :)

    • Anonymous

      You know what would be fun? If you lived closer and then we could take turns being homebodies with each other. Then we wouldn’t seem like recluses as much. P.S. I drink Chardonnay so stock up.

  • http://www.hinessightblog.com Hines-Sight Blog

    I’m a homebody, too.  Always have been.  I like to do things, but don’t like to be over busy. 

    • Anonymous

      That’s funny because you were a reporter, right? I always think of people like that as always wanting to be right in the middle of everything.

  • Good Girl Gone Green

    I am the same way now. when I was in university and after, I always had to be doing something. Working, school, rugby, friends. Now with little E who is one, I find myself more and more at home. We go out and do things just not as much as i use to. I am ok with that. Sometimes it’s just nice to stay home and watch a movie! :)

    • Anonymous

      I think it was a year or two before my son was born that I started staying home more. Now we all kind of like it. I take it as a sign that we have a good family because we like to hang out together!

  • Anonymous

    I’m totally a homebody as well. But sometimes, the staying home streak lasts just a touch too long, and then I snap and say “we need to get out and SOCIALIZE.”

    I’m to that point right now. :)

    But otherwise, yes, I just love staying home most of the time.

    • Anonymous

      Yes, exactly!! I’m at that point where I KNOW I need to get out more. But logistically, it’s been tough with my husband traveling. Hoping for a little respite over the holidays.

  • Imogen @ Alternative Mama

    Lovely! I can really relate to this at the moment. I go through stages of wanting to recapture my ‘single life’ but at the moment I am loving family life and cold days spent chilling at home with my nearest and dearest.

    Have taken part in this fab series for the first time this week, will definitely be doing so again!

    • Anonymous

      Imogen – thanks for stopping by! I think we’d be crazy if we didn’t long a little for our single carefree life. There was a simplicity to it. But this is definitely better. And different. 

      Off to check out your post!

  • Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

    I have a  problem with that darn I sometimes too, and have to hit it more than once. I am a homebody now so much so my son tells me I’m turning into a recluse. I guess there’s many reasons though. New life, new house, new everything. But, I’m at peace and this makes me happy. Sounds like the same for you, Fadra. Family equals happiness, I understand.

    • Anonymous

      Ah yes. Internal happiness is the most important. If all of your personal eneds are met at home, then enjoy!! I love it too. But I’m thinking I need a little more time out of the house.

  • http://twitter.com/juliejordanscot Julie Jordan Scott

    I love cocooning, too. It started when my second daughter was born. I loved being with her, holding her, in part because I knew I would be going back to work when she was only six months old. Now I work at home, too, (a blessing) and home is usually my favorite place to be. One of my projects right now is making my home into a haven again: redecorating, sprucing up, getting rid of the excess.

    And by the way, I love Stream of Consciousness Sunday. When I miss, like last week, I am sad… and when I get big a-ha’s… like I did this morning…. I am so grateful.

    THANK YOU!

    • Anonymous

      Can’t wait to read your post! I’m late as usual. I’m always redoing something to make it feel fresh here. But being at home makes it sometimes a treat to go out and work. Sometimes I go to the library or the coffee shop and it makes me so much more productive!

  • http://twitter.com/MommaBeThyName Momma

    Oh, yes. I gave up a while ago. Even now, when I get invites, I’m like, “Eh…” Sometimes I go, and sometimes I don’t. Staying home’s not too bad, especially when I can have pass to escape for a few hours here and there.

    • Anonymous

      That’s what I need this weekend. A pass. I got a teeny tiny little pass and couldn’t really take full advantage of it. Heading to visit family for the holiday so I know that will give me a little break!

  • http://twitter.com/carbyville Kristin Jeeves

    I’ve always been a homebody. I go through very short phases where I want to be out doing things often, but it never lasts long and afterward I tend to want to hibernate for days after. 

    • Anonymous

      I actually can be very social (like at a conference) but then I usually need a lot of down time to recover.

  • Pingback: SOCS: The universe is conspiring in my favor | Clare Kirkpatrick

  • http://www.sayitrahshay.com Rachee

    Ah, staying home. There is nothing to get me through a crazy, busy day than thinking about the quietish, chill evening that I have planned for the evening. I get what you’re saying, sometimes the idea of running all around is nice but the blissful time of being home chilling and quiet is just as lovely.

    • Anonymous

      Pretty much you said it all. I find peace and pleasure in both!

  • http://www.diaryofamadhatter.com teritruly

    I’m such a homebody now too — a perfect weekend is one where I don’t have to put on real pants or go anywhere. :)

    • Anonymous

      One thing about me is that I hate to stay in my pajamas. HATE it. I prefer to be dressed and looking good even if I’m not going anywhere.

  • Anonymous

    Hi! I’m joining SOC for the first time, having found you via Mummy In Provence. I’m like you were…I can’t stand to stay at home. I need to go OUT! And do THINGS! But, now with a kid in tow, it’s getting a bit harder to be out and about. I wonder if I’ll eventually get to relish being at home…

    • Anonymous

      So glad you joined! I’m late in reading the posts this week. My son is almost 5 so it definitely makes it easier when I DO want to go out. I’d say that I’ve come to appreciate both ways of life.

  • Anonymous

    I’m definitely fighting this as a new mama. I work outside the home, so that gets me out on the weekdays, but I really have to make a concerted effort to get out in the evenings and on the weekends. I think sitting around the house feeds my PPD too much, so even though I might prefer to be more of a homebody, it’s just not a good thing right now.

    I think it’s good that you’ve sort of made peace with that and that you are using staying home as a great excuse to spend more time with your family. I think it’s easy to forget that you don’t have to be out doing something extravagant with your kids to have a great (and even memorable) time.

    • Anonymous

      I remember the early days and all I can say is THANK GOD I worked. I played with my new mom friends (who all stayed home) and felt bad about having to go back to work. But once I did, I felt like an adult again. I went back to work part-time so I had the best of both worlds. I still miss feeling valued as an employee but I do like the freedom of working at home.

  • Pingback: SOC: 4th Birthday | Pink Guayoyo

  • http://chroniclesofpookahsmom.com Rose’s Daughter

    I’m a homebody too. And didn’t become that way until I had a baby either. But I would like to get out more. It’s almost like I’m too lazy to leave. It so easy to just relax at home. Especially now that winter is coming!

    • Anonymous

      You know what helps? Find something that you want to do. Make a plan. So see a parade or check out the exhibit at the science museum. But if you just say, maybe we should do something today, it probably won’t happen. Trust me ;)

  • Pingback: Stream Of Consciousness: Date Night » Four Against Two

  • Pingback: Stream Of Consciousness: I Slept At The Zoo » Four Against Two

  • Pingback: Stream Of Consciousness: Does Your Santa Wrap? » Four Against Two

Previous post:

Next post: