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.
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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! ๐) 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.
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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!
ReplyDeleteI'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 ๐ I enjoy it even more!
BTW you have to love your own company to love being home ๐ท๐ธ๐ชป
ReplyDeleteDear 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.
Yes, 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI'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.
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.
ReplyDeleteYES! I love being at home. I like to take short vacations because after 2 days, I'm ready to go home!
ReplyDeleteKim, 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!
ReplyDeleteKim, 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!!!
ReplyDeleteI 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
Amen, 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 am definitely a homebody! Have you seen all the reels about butter moms? It's a thing!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteOh, 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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 !!
ReplyDeleteAdd 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.
ReplyDeleteYou 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 :)
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete