Are You A Homebody?

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.


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My Favorite Spot In Summer

However, none of that seems to help when you tell people you're planning a staycation. Everyone thinks there's got to be another reason you're not leaving home. Apparently, I'm not alone.

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.

Nothing Beats A Home Cooked Meal

Days like yesterday, when I put on an old movie while I prepared sausage and peppers, shucked corn and steamed it up.

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!