To not understand what a "homebird" is excited by?

[BooYah]

My childhood was complicated, difficult and transitory. We moved a lot. As an adult, am bored easily, and have moved many times, including to other countries. I find it really exciting.

We are moving again soon. Lots of people have said, when told about the news that we re moving, "oh, I'm such a homebird, I wouldn't want to move away". That is, of course fine. My way isn't for everyone, I get that. But what I don't really understand is what excites other people.

I then started thinking how I could replicate those feelings if I couldn't move somewhere new, and I wondered if perhaps extreme sports would replace it? But for people who don't want either, how do you get the same thrill?

If you are a 'homebird', what excites you?

[Tarraleaha]

It depends on our experiences doesn't it.
I moved a lot. My closest friends are the ones who are on the move like me, I find it hard to be as close with "homebirds". Many (not all, but many of them) seem to forget you when they don't see you often. I have much deeper relationships with my "moving" friends and we reconnect immediately even if we haven't seen each other for years.

I don't like staying too long in one place, I get bored, and I feel like life is passing me by. I remember different years based on the place where I was at the time. I like waking up in a new place, it's exciting and full of opportunities. Some places you love, some you don't but you just move on.

We are moving less because of the kids, but I want them to understand that the world is a big place, that they never have to feel stuck or trapped anywhere. A job is just a job, bullies don't matter, if you are not blossoming somewhere, you can just move and you might find your ideal place, or you can keep moving and meet other people who will become important in your life.

I do have a big-ish house and am not too struggling financially so I don't want to be hypocritical, I like comfort but in the same time, material things don't matter so much. I can have a new home anywhere, I can make any comfortable my home anywhere.

I don't believe there's anything wrong in staying or moving.Without kids, I would be moving a lot more. What makes me feel safe is that my birth country will always be my home, so I will always have a place to come back if I need to.

gosh, that was long, sorry

[Ilovelblue]

brownmouse pretty much summed it up for me. I love my garden, the way I have created it, how it changes through the seasons and love finding new (unusual) plants to put in it.

I like coming home and the comfort of knowing it is all mine!

All that said, I love going away on holiday, both UK and abroad but it's equally lovely at the end of a holiday to come home, put the kettle on and enjoy a cup of tea. There's nothing like tea in your own home!

[OutyMcOutface]

I've moved to a different country. I didn't find it particularly exiciting. Nothing wrong with it but it was just something that I did. Not a big deal or particularly enjoyable (I hate packing and filling out forms). I would do it again, probably will do it again most likely but not for the fun of it. Having an afternoon all to myself with a nice box of tea that I have been meaning to try and a new book to read-now that is actually exciting.

[DonkeyOil]

Much more eloquently expressed than mine, though, HairBlues!

[marl]

I've loved reading these posts. So interesting. I moved a lot during my student years but feel no desire to be away from the choices I have made now. I feel unsettled by not having a base and anxious when I don't know where I am or where things are. My late DF used to talk about the need to travel as 'restlessness' and I think it suits me to think that now. DP finds I hard that I don't really feel the need for holidays away. I go, but after a week I've had enough and I'm always relieved to be back.

[usualGubbins]

Love holidays so long as they are safe destinations, and home is my sanctuary. Having had some tough health problems in recent years, waking up still alive is good, hearing the birds in the morning, and hearing from my children. That'll do for me!

[Gwenhwyfar]

I had a friend who moved every few years. I thought it showed a certain lack in her. She'd been brought up like that with a father in the military then got a job that involved moving around. I think there's a certain fear of settling. You can't make friends properly if you're always thinking about your next move.

[floriad]

Hm... Depends what you mean.

My family makes me feel warm and fuzzy. My lost cat used to. Gardening does. So does Easter, flowers, cooking, baking with my sister, a good book, hiking in Scotland etc.

But thrill / excitement?

Work. Spirited discussions. Sports. But this is great? I'd never take it over the warm and fuzzies.

[WyfOfBathe]

I've lived in 2 countries (or 4 including sixth month stints during my degree). DH has lived in 3. We're considering moving abroad again, but for practical reasons rather than for a "thrill". I wouldn't say I'm a homebird, but I do like the sense of security from living somewhere for a long time, e.g. knowing what brands I like and having stable friendships.

I love travelling, but choose long holidays rather than moving often. DH and I are both teachers, so a month-long summer holiday is doable, and pre-DC we did quite a few shorter breaks as well. I also love taking students on school trips abroad, which most of my colleagues don't understand!

Most of the things I enjoy aren't particularly exciting. I would much rather read a book or watch a film or Mumsnet than do extreme sports! DH does enjoy trying things like water-skiing, but he doesn't do them regularly.

I also agree with Cory
I have moved countries once, 25 years ago, and still find it exciting that I have so much to learn about my new country: about the subtleties of language and body language, about the history and culture, about what makes people tick. Moving country every few years I could never get that depth of experience, and it's depth that is exciting to me.
I've lived in two countries, each for about 15 years. There are so many little things you would never pick up from constantly moving. Having moved to country 2 as a child, I am completely fluent in 2 languages. I learnt two more languages at uni, but I don't think I'll ever be able to speak them the same way I speak the languages of the countries I've lived in.

[PinkAvocado]

I feel the same as Skittles.

Also, I don’t need big changes to feel excited. I think that’s the crux of it.

[OliviaStabler]

Sounds like you are happy moving out of your comfort zone often. Not many people are like that.

[BooYah]

This thread is really fascinating, thank you for all your replies.

[Qvar]

Yeah it's called a comfort zone for a reason. It's comfortable!

[Headofthehive55]

I love learning new things, feel really happy to be challenged, but don't want to move again. It's dull. Like Groundhog Day. Fill in forms. Reconnect the services. Re direct your post. Sort out schools. I have so much more time now I'm not having to do that again. And again.

[HeddaGarbled]

My job involves working with young people with difficulties so while that can be challenging, when they turn a corner, which they often do, that excites me. Learning something new excites me. Watching a play or reading a book that really makes me think and then talking about it with friends, that excites me. Going on holiday excites me.

But coming home, being home, is when I am happiest.

[Headofthehive55]

I lived in places I didn't even get to enjoy the bulbs I planted that autumn. And moved so often we were able to sort out a house without the other seeing it.

[floriad]

Also, as someone that moved a lot as a child? I absolutely hate moving.

[corythatwas]

Funnily enough, I don't really care at all about pottering around at home and looking after my things and the whole physical setting of it. I do not actually draw happiness from looking around my own living room. It's just that moving home would involve a whole lot of upheaval that would interfere with the things that really matter to me in life, the things that I really do find exciting. Too time-consuming. And my time is valuable as I am beginning to realise that it isn't infinite and there is so much I want to get done.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

After 23 homes in 3 countries in 36 years I am SO happy to be settled and will never let my daughter go through that.

I am 100% a Home bird now. I crave routine, stability, repetitive tasks, the minutiae of life. It may not last forever but it'll be interesting to see if/when I get bored.

[Headofthehive55]

My children hated all the moving. But we didn't find out until they were grown up. We thought they were fine.

[Headofthehive55]

Absolutely it's just too time consuming. cory

[kateandme]

have you a bucket list.fill it with both simple and bigger things?more desitinations.look up things to do in the area your in?teach courses.take a course.cook.start a small business online or something.do you have any hobbies you think you could take further.take up cyclig or something to see the places from a different view.
I think if one day you decide to stay somewhere youll be ok because your mindset will have changed so youll be more settled if that makes sense.fingers crossed itl be because you stop somewhere and think "this is where I need to be forever"
and even then you can still travel.

[2pups]

I've done the expat life - I'm a home bird - things that excite me :- walking the dogs then coming in and sitting in front of a fire and not having to go anywhere. Magazines and books in shops in English. Jigsaws. Not having to pack for flights. Knowing where I'll be next year and the year after and making plans.

[MrsFezziwig]

Booyah if you don't mind me asking what is your relationship with your friends? Do you have to repeatedly make a new set of friends when you move or do you not bother, knowing that you/they won't be around for long?

[GrooovyLass]

My childhood was complicated, difficult and transitory. We moved a lot.

And now you're doing the same to your own DC!

I don't want thrills, no more than occasionally going to the pictures and maybe a gig a few times a year anyway. Different strokes for different folks - I've had the same job for almost 20 years and I've lived in the same house forever. I wouldn't want it any other way.