What’s up with the ‘out and about’ brigade?

We “draw” our energy from food.

Some people like going out, some people like staying at home.

Partner is 'out and about' where as I love being at home. She's just left for the US this morning for a week and I'm sandwiched between the 1 and 4 year old, watching 'Simon the Bunny' at 11am. It's bliss 😅 will take them out in the sunshine now but it's been amazing not to have been badgered at 8am on Sunday to be out for the sake of 'not wasting a day'! The kids have nursery/school/wraparound care/clubs etc from 7:45-6pm daily so weekend they are knackered and just want to veg out!

I agree. I like having some stuff planned but I also like to have times where there is absolutely nothing going on.

Maybe you have too much time at home.. to be worrying about what everyone else is doing out and about. I’m not sure why you’re bothered and I don’t agree that everyone is extrovert because they go for a bike ride or for coffee at the weekend 😅

One more thing I think - I feel like I can't fully relax if I am at home with the DCs as I feel like anything I do would always be interrupted and it puts me on edge.

I'm definitely not extroverted and love some time at home crafting or doomscrolling but if I'm in all day it affects my MH. Even just getting out in the garden for a bit really helps so I do like to get out too

I don’t think that means they are extroverts at all. Some people just like to get exercise and have some variety in their week. Many people wfh so just want time outside.

Those who are ‘out and about’ are also doing the things you mentioned at home. My hobbies are mostly outdoor physical activities but I’ll still read a book when I’m home in the evening, I still cook and enjoy home life. Depends how much variety you want I guess

I think it depends on the situation. We have a small house and small garden with 2 children. We live minutes away from a large country park so it makes sense to get out when we can to give the kids a run and some fresh air. If it was just me I'd sit happily in the garden with a book.

As do I. I’m saving money to go to Japan alone later this year. But my point is, I see no need to be out doing “something” just for the sake of it. Whether that’s alone or with company.

I fall into this bracket but I wouldn’t call myself an extrovert. If I’m in the house all day I feel hemmed in and as if I’m ill, for some reason.

I don’t need to do anything exciting though - a walk is enough.

Edit - I should add that I do like my house!

If you don't have a partner or friends you can do things on your own. I do.

Sorry but life is for living and I don’t want it to pass me by and find myself an old lady with not much to show for my years. I want experiences

Its this attitude that pisses me off!

Who is to say what “living life” actually is? If I go for a walk round my local park alone or high street, how is that “living” any more than me being at home working on a craft project or reading in my garden? In both scenarios I am alone. Yes I’d get more exercise from the first option but I’d enjoy it less. Isn’t “living life” actually about spending it doing things you enjoy?

I don’t have unlimited funds. I don’t have a partner or lots of people to do things with. So I am selective about what I do outside the house. I have a lovely home and garden and it brings me pleasure to enjoy them. It’s not time wasted for me. I prefer to save my money to take trips where I can do interesting things. But that means financially it is better for me to stay at home at other times. Yes you can go out without spending much money but unless I want to stay in my local area, which is not interesting, it’s still going to cost something.

My sister always has to be out. Last time I visited her she dragged me to a local classic car show. She doesn’t like classic cars, nor do I. She just wanted to be out and that was on locally. It was boring AF! Another time we just did circuits round the park for ages. One evening we got a drive thru McDonald’s and sat in her car in the lashing rain. All because she can’t bear to be in the house. It’s exhausting and not in the least bit fun. I’m glad I’m not like that tbh. Is she “living life” more than me? No I don’t think she is. I have fun by myself at home! She is depressed most of the time.

Am just on my way out and DS and DH are both lounging about on their phones. So infuriating! But after I read this thread, I will keep mum and stop telling them how lovely the day is.😁

Not read the whole thread but I think a lot of people get filled with existential dread if left too much to their own devices, with too much unfilled time. Everything in life (including MN) is designed as one big distraction, to keep us from confronting our impending mortality, so it's just that really.

I have terrible insomnia so if I go out and do loads of stuff I have a much better chance at sleeping. I also have two children with the wildest amount of energy - they need to be outside or they are unbearable! I don’t really see that it matters either way, as long as what you do makes you happy. I also ask people what they’re doing at the weekend just to make chat - if they say staying in and watching films, I don’t judge them, that’s entirely up to them.

DH is an out and abouter. He gets very restless, irritable and snappy when he hasn’t been out yet. It’s just the way he is. He sees time sat at home as wasted. He could never work in an indoor job, it would drive him mad.

I have to get out each day.Everything piles on top of me otherwise .At the moment Im unwell and under going Chemo.Even a drive or shortish stroll as worse than normal!

I find it so hard to be at home, it really does feel like wasted time to me but I’m not really sure why. I absolutely hate my house (tiny, dated HA property) so being in it doesn’t make me feel relaxed but because we are never at home it’s hard to keep it tidy which doesn’t really help.

I love being outside, going for walks or running on my own or can spend a whole day exploring with my kids or going to the beach and we generally go out to do something both days at the weekend. If we are still home by 2pm I start to feel a bit stir crazy! Conversely I absolutely hate doing structured or indoor things with my kids, shopping, theme parks, soft play or any kind of organised activity is absolute hell to me as well so I’d probably rather stay at home if the going out option was something like that (I do take the kids to things like that I just don’t enjoy it much)

Some people live alone and/or are bereaved and need company or activity for mental health.
Others live in poor quality rented housing and don’t have the luxury of “liking their own home” as you put it so incredulously.
Others might be in abusive or unhappy relationships with no means or will to leave.
Some have tricky children, or children’s other SEN who only thrive with activity.
Many have no space in their homes to “potter”, no garden in which to sit and relax.
Many more have such turbulent lives, such threadbare existence, love so precariously close to not being able to pay bills that they need distraction and any small form of pleasure they can get.

the rest just have a different personality to yours.

Completely agree. Love a pottering weekend, but we love our home and garden.
@RomanRoysSearchHistory 🤣

I will own up to not liking my home. Its all I can afford right now and too crowded as adult DC can't afford to move out in London either. On the plus side, I am close to galleries, museums and exhibition, all of which I enjoy. Off now to a heritage site and a walk by the river. I will watch a box set in the evening.

No-one, not me or the OP, are talking about someone liking to go out equating to hating where they live.

Oh dear. At least look at the opening post.

What’s their deal? Do they not like their homes?

@bumblingbovine49

why on earth would you feel guilty?! They are adults, they can make their own food

Ugh! My sister actually told me I should think about therapy because I don’t like ‘going out’. I’m retired, play golf 3-4 times a week, walk the dog every day. I’m very sociable when I want to be but nothing horrifies me more than the thought of dealing with crowds whether in shops or generally out and about. We live in a touristy area so I avoid it at all costs especially during tourist season. Apart from golf and dog walking I’m very content pottering in my own house and garden. I have plenty to do. I don’t know why some people think there’s something wrong with you and get all smug and morally superior when you just enjoy being home!

This is my inlaws, to be more specific, my MiL. She’s always been like this and will never change as they’re retired and nearly 80.