Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend, discussing all the #homebody posts I've seen popping up on Instagram.
Have you seen them?
Quotes about the joys of staying home, often coupled with soft music or videos panning quiet gardens and dreamy decor.
Have you seen them?
Quotes about the joys of staying home, often coupled with soft music or videos panning quiet gardens and dreamy decor.
My feed is full of them.
Probably because I stop to view them all.
Clearly, I relate.
And clearly, she did not, because she hadn't even seen one.
Of course, she's a big traveler.
Home is more of a pitstop for her, whereas for me, it's my haven.
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| My Latest Kitchen View |
My absolute, all time, hands down, favorite place to be.
And I make no secret about it.
In fact, I wear that homebody tag proudly. Although, I do use the term rather broadly. So when I say I love staying home, of course I mean in my house...but I also mean on my island.
That includes restaurants, where I don't need a menu, since I've memorized every line.
My friends' houses, the ones that belong to people I've known for decades, who feel like family.
The shops I visit so often, that the salespeople and I are on a first name basis.
And, best of all, the beaches.
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| Where I Live |
Why would I need to leave?
As a little girl, yes, vacations were always fun. I remember the excitement of packing my little red suitcase and tossing it into the back of our Country Squire station wagon, as my family hit the road for few weeks at a time.
My mother was born with a wanderlust that just didn't quit. So when she had the chance to leave home, we did.
In high school and college, I hopped on planes to small islands with pink sand and turquoise water, hopped into cars for any kind of road trip to concerts, museums and ticker tape parades, and hopped into the back of pickup trucks for a chance to spend the weekends bumming around the Hamptons.
It's not that I didn't enjoy the trips. I did!
It's just that I liked being home more.
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| The Most Romantic Table Is At Home |
Sitting by the pool with my friends, eating take out pizza at the kitchen table or hanging out in the basement playing games. That was my vibe.
Luckily, when I got married, he had the same view of home that I had...and traveling was fun, but never for more than a few nights at a time.
And when we got home, we always said the same thing...ah, vacation was good, but home is so much better.
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| There's Nothing Like Your Own Bed |
But it's concept a lot of people have a hard time understanding.
If you love to go out, no one has a problem. But if saying no and staying home is your preference, watch out.
Over the years, I've tried to explain it more times than I can count, but if you're not a homebody, a lot people just don't get it.
And they have no problem letting me know.
Some think I have social anxiety. Or I'm depressed or unhappy...which couldn't be further from the truth. I just like really like being home.
In college my major was public speaking. (Maybe now you know why all my posts are so long! 😉) I'm always right in the middle of the mix at social gatherings, I love a good party and ran lots of committees when my kids were in school.
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| My Favorite Spot In Summer |
In fact, when I looked the word "homebody" up on Google one of the first things the AI says, is that being a homebody is a preference not a medical condition.
Even Dictionary.com includes a paragraph about the distinction, noting its a choice, not a clinical diagnosis or agoraphobia.
So silly.
The fact that someone enjoys staying in...spending their time cooking, decorating, crafting, gardening, listening to music, reading, dancing, sewing, watching movies, spending time with family, in a place they've created, surrounded by all the things and people they love is considered an affliction...just makes me laugh.
At this point I just try let it go...well, on most days anyway. Afterall, like I've said before what other people think of me is none of my business.
So maybe I should try to remember that no is a complete sentence, sink into those posts on Instagram and join that hashtagged community.
Spend more days doing the seemingly mundane activities that bring me contentment and great joy.
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| Nothing Beats A Home Cooked Meal |
I folded laundry in my charming cottage, washed dishes in my fabulous new sink, worked on a craft for this Saturday's Do It Over Designer's Blog Hop, chatted with my husband as he made his lunch, sat with my daughter at the beach, took a long walk after dinner.
And then wrote a post about it.
Now, I'm sure that sounds like torture for some, or really, really boring, and that's ok. It's what makes the world go round.
But for me, it was a perfect day.
One made to order.
For this self-diagnosed, lifelong, home-loving, homebody kind of girl.
🏡
How about you? Are you a homebody?
Happy Housekeeping, Friends!
I am exactly like you! I love being a homebody and proud of it! Honestly, if I were offered an all expenses paid, luxury to the max, trip anywhere in the world I would just say thanks but no thanks. I'm never bored at home!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me! If the prize is a trip, I'm out. The only exception I'd make is visiting family...but really that's just going to another version of home! 😉
DeleteI'm so happy to know you're a homebody!
ReplyDeleteThere's no other place I'd rather be.
Why? Everything you said.
Always have been. Now that I'm close to 66 😁 I enjoy it even more!
I'm so glad to hear that I'm not alone! As you said, no place I'd rather be and I've always been this way. Here's to many more years at home!!🥂
DeleteBTW you have to love your own company to love being home 🌷🌸🪻
ReplyDeleteYes!! I agree 100%. ☺️
DeleteDear Kim, your photos are beautiful and heartwarming! I am a proud homebody! I love to be home. (I live alone) I don't feel lonely even though I have lived alone since my divorce in 1998. I do like to go out for coffee or breakfast, but I don't like to travel and be away from home for long periods of time.
ReplyDeleteI love my own bed! I love to clean and organize! I enjoy being home and doing these things.
Thanks so much, Linda from one proud homebody to another! We sound very similar and I too love cleaning organizing and making my house pretty. It's one of my favorite pastimes.
DeleteYes, Kim! I am for sure a homebody and so is my husband! It's the best place to be. I think that's why I (and I think you too) enjoy doing things to my home. It just makes it more cozy to be in and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteExactly, Mari! We're lucky we have homebody husbands, too. It makes staying home so much more fun.
DeleteI am a homebody too. I do like to take long weekends away but like you said it is always wonderful to be back home. I love my home it is my sanctuary. I love change and by that I mean decor changes. It makes me happy and feel cozy in my home. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteA long weekend is my perfect getaway, Kris...and yup, coming home is equally as lovely! We are two of a kind! ❤️
DeleteI'm a weird mix of wanderlust and homebody.... but I do have social anxiety. I love being home but I also love to explore nature and go on vacation but then I love coming back home.
ReplyDeleteWe are two of a kind! I love to drive (not play tourist) but after a few days, I'm ready to go home.
DeleteYou take some really wonderful trips, Joanne, your photos are stunning.
DeleteMom2347, sounds like we're both in good company!
DeleteHello. I am both. I live in Europe not w and I travel a lot and I love seeing everything I had previously only seen on pictures. I also love meeting people from other countries and seeing how they live and hearing their thoughts about the world. But when it’s time to come home (to Portugal), iam so happy. And when I’m home all I want to do is be at home and enjoy my comfortable apartment and my bed. I love being at home when I’m here and it’s hard to get me to leave until another exciting place presents itself and then the allure of seeing the beauty of old castles, tulip fields, the Alps, etc is too enticing. But I always come back home with absolute joy.
ReplyDeleteWow. You sound like you live in a magical place and have put together a lovely life! The perfect mix of home and travel. 🥰 You're so lucky that you live in a place where you have access to so many beautiful countries...and tulip fields!! My favorite! And Portugal!?! That's the one place I would want to retire, if we were to do so overseas. Gorgeous!!
DeleteYES! I love being at home. I like to take short vacations because after 2 days, I'm ready to go home!
ReplyDeleteSame!! We've actually left vacations the night before check out so we could just sleep in our bed. Haha!!
DeleteKim, we are soulmates. I feel exactly the same way. I’m going into the city to see Daniel Radcliffe’s play and I am thinking of way to get out of it and be in my garden!
ReplyDeleteOh Susan, been there! Lots of rain this weekend, but I hope you were able to spend some time in the garden this afternoon when the sun came out. Oh and if you did get to the play, I hope you enjoyed it! ❤️
DeleteThe play was great. Daniel Radcliffe is amazing. Sun is out today but I’m stuck at the car dealership for service. When the sun came out yesterday I ran out and tinkered.
DeleteYay for the play, boo for the dealership (spend way too much time there lately myself), but I'm glad you were able to get outside this weekend. The sun seems to be hanging around lately, so I hope there's more of that on your horizon!! 🌹
DeleteKim, this is the best time of year for you stay home and enjoy your pool and the beach! I am a little bit of both. I like taking a few of my vacations and then enjoying the rest of the time at home. We have our Lucy to think about too!! I love going out on day trips in our area and we enjoy entertaining our friends and family this time of year with BBQ's. I hope you have a nice Memorial day weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a great traveler, Julie! I have visited Europe twice vicariously through your photos and blog posts!! ☺️ That's about as much travel as I can handle sometimes. Haha!! I hope you're enjoying the sun this week after all that rain over the weekend. Finally it's getting warm!!
DeleteI am a homebody. And no I am not unhappy, depressed or have social anxiety. I love my garden, that is where I like to be, working in it, sitting in it and visiting with friends in it, tea in the garden is something I host for my friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your heart with us today, I enjoyed this post.
Carla
Your garden is lovely, Carla! I bet having tea there is wonderful. I can’t imagine a better place to be than surrounded by all your blooms and in the company of good friends. Home for the win!!
DeleteAmen, Sister! I don't have a cute cottage like you. We live in an apartment, but I have made it a comfortable and cozy nest for us. Even the cable guy and the maintenance men make appreciative comments about our apartment. We also enjoyed traveling in our younger days, but there's no place like home. Our son turned out the same way. Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you can relate my friend! Apartment or house does not matter...cozy nest is a cozy nest and yours sounds like it's super charming. ❤️ Oh and my kids are the same way, too. Like my mom used to say, I guess those apples don't fall far...😉
DeleteI am definitely a homebody! Have you seen all the reels about butter moms? It's a thing!
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, Ricki, I just saw a few of those posts the other day. I'd never heard the term before. I guess there's always a "new" way to bring back the old ways!!
DeleteI am like you, I enjoy both...I view home as my sanctuary, but I love the ocean or taking in a concert from time to time.
ReplyDeleteOutings that include the ocean are my absolute favorite and music is a close second! Sounds like we have a lot in common. Thanks so much for the visit and taking time to comment. I hope you'll come back again soon!! ☺️
DeleteOh, I am definitely a happy homebody. I have enjoyed a fair amount of travel in the past, but not much ahead of me these days. I don't have kids so I consider my home part of my family, and a hobby. I'm so glad I'm retired now and can spend so much more time here! I don't have an actual cottage but I have a duplex, which I make as cottagey as I can, with a just right size yard, and a garden and I love spending time outside in the nice weather! Heavenly.
ReplyDeleteA happy homebody! I like the sound of that, Pat!! It's funny you say that your home is part of the family, because I feel the same way. I always say, that this home hugs me! ❤️ Plus, I'd be lying if I said I didn't occasionally talk to it. Haha! I bet your duplex is super cottagey! I truly believe it's more about the decor and feel of the rooms than the structure...and it sounds like yours is heavenly indeed!!
DeleteA happy homebody! I like the sound of that, Pat!! It's funny you say that your home is part of the family, because I feel the same way. I always say, that this home hugs me! ❤️ Plus, I'd be lying if I said I didn't occasionally talk to it. Haha! I bet your duplex is super cottagey! I truly believe it's more about the decor and feel of the rooms than the structure...and it sounds like yours is heavenly indeed!!
DeleteI love this! And clearly I am not the only one! I had surgery a couple of months ago and my recovery instructions were to stay quietly at home. Music to my ears! Before surgery I made sure my home was perfectly set-up for a comfy recovery. I do love being at home, it is my favorite place to be and love all the things you listed! Thank you for sharing your feelings, making us really connect with you !!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I hope you are on the mend and feeling well now, Kristine!! I'm glad that you had your warm and charming home to recover in, because I know how much you adore it. 🥰 Be well my friend!
DeleteAdd me to the Homebody Club. I got homesick this past winter when I had to stay overnight at the hospital for two nights. As soon as I got home I burst into tears. Home is my sanctuary.
ReplyDeleteThe Homebody Club!! I love that, Gina! We should start a group. 😉 Based on the number of similar comments on this post, I’d say we’d have no problem with membership!
DeleteYou spoke my language today, Kim! I am such a homebody, there is nothing that makes me happier than just a day at home with nowhere to go or be, but just be home and "puttering" especially in my garden! I'm glad you had such a wonderful day, it truly is the best kind of day to just be home and with the ones you love! Blessings to you :)
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, I could've guessed this about you. You are always doing so many wonderful things around your home and garden, surrounded by your sweet family...and you look super happy doing it all!! 🌹
DeleteThis is such a hard question to answer. for me but most people would assume I am NOT a homebody because I do hike and do a little travel. BUT... I am the type of person who loves to walk a trail, do a quick (key word is quick) road trip and see some beautiful things and maybe a trip or so a year again.. BUT.... I always always always love being at home and returning home. I have to recalibrate after trips, hikes, or even the grocery shopping trip. I love being at home on the most part. My family and my real in person friends would say I am definitely a home body but needs a good walk in a forest to balance it. So, yes, I am just a homebody not just in my "home" but also my area as you wrote. I can literally stay home for days on end and not leave our home.
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect to me! I think we each have our own definitions of home. Like we both said, home is our area, not just our physical dwellings. I go also go the same ocean resort each year, same unit, in the same town and even though it's technically a vacation, to me it's just an extension of home...
DeleteGreat pos! I'm a homebody and love puttering in the garden, or doing little projects, there is always something to do at home. Every now and then I get an ''itch" and need an escape. A couple of years ago I started a job with a new company who is headquartered in Lyon, France so I get to take a couple of trips per year. That cures my itch and I start to miss home when I'm gone. I live on the border of IL and WI so sometimes I take a short trip into Wisconsin just for a change of scenery and restaurants. I love seeing those instagram posts and all the comments here on your post show we homebodies are not alone.
ReplyDeleteWe are certainly now alone, Debbie, that's for sure! Wow, France huh? That sounds like a dream business trip. Not a bad gig! I get it though, after a while, I think most people start to get that hankering for home. Although, it probably takes a little longer to feel that way in Lyon!! 😉
DeleteI am 100% a homebody. When I found out that I could be a home care assistant, it had me feeling giddy. I get to spend the day in places that feel like home with people that feel like family.
ReplyDeleteShirley, that's wonderful, sounds like you found your calling!
DeleteOh Kim, I am definitely a homebody. Even though I go work out everyday, I am always so thankful to get home. It’s my safe, cozy, happy (just like our matching pillows!) place. If I go on vacation, I can’t wait to get home. Aren’t we grateful to be a homebody, surrounded by things that we love? It just all makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteHappy Memorial Day weekend my homebody friend! ❤️
Kitty we are two of a kind...right down to that fabulous Hobby Lobby pillow! 🥰 I hope you had a lovely weekend and are ready for another one right around the corner!!
DeleteAbsolutely!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear I'm not alone and you can relate!! ☺️
DeleteI am absolutely a homebody. I love staying home and puttering around. Unfortunately I don't get to spend much time lately. But one day I will retire and I'll have all the time in the world.
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely, Mary! I hope that day arrives for you soon.
DeleteAs the saying goes ... there's no place like home :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
There really isn't, Jan!! 👠
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