Social butterfly or homebody?

[gerv]

I am TOTALLY a homebody! I dread going anywhere where I will encounter crowds or have to actively socialize with people for extended periods. I even like walking/jogging/cycling because it's something I can do alone or with just one other person (usually DH) and/or my dog(s). It's not that I don't like people, they just tend to wear me out. Right now my cousins back east are frustrated with me because I don't feel like talking for an hour or two on the phone every other night. I prefer letter writing to phone calls, and I mean actual letters not e-mail. I don't see being a homebody as getting old for me, but I might want to expand my social habits so, when I'm in my 80's, I'm not laying on the floor for days without someone thinking to check on me.

Sounds like you are a little worried about being a homebody. Maybe you should try to expand your horizons just a little. Think about getting off the Internet and volunteering regularly somewhere. That would get you out of the house for a set number of hours each week...

[Cyclepup]

Sounds like you are a little worried about being a homebody. Maybe you should try to expand your horizons just a little. Think about getting off the Internet and volunteering regularly somewhere. That would get you out of the house for a set number of hours each week...

You've missed the mark dear Gerv. I may be worried about being a reclusive homebody in my 80's, but not now. I love being a homebody now! After having to socialize and interact with oodles of people in my past work history, I thoroughly enjoy the quiet and solitude of my environment today. You're funny...I'd have to actually get ON the Internet every day in order to think about maybe needing to get off of it.

[Lamplight]

I wouldn't call myself a homebody, but I've very much an introvert. I've lived alone in this town for eight months now and haven't made any friends at all, and that doesn't bother me in the slightest. But I generally don't enjoy staying indoors all day. I do stay inside all day occasionally, but I prefer to get out and go for a walk or bike ride, or running errands around town. But I'm perfectly fine doing those things alone. In fact, I don't even really care for walks and rides with other people. I'm finding that the older I get the more I enjoy being alone and the less I require social interaction with others.

[bamboopiper]

The neighbourhood where I live and town isn't one that lends itself to "getting out" nor do I want to be "out". It frustrated me in my 20s (and still does into my 30s) that the only way to have a good time was to "go out". Going out was always stressful. Noise, strangers, alcohol was almost always involved or other recreational drugs. I don't mind a bit of herb, but I would prefer to smoke in peace and silence and spend the moment quietly painting or some other creative but solitude activity. Most of the others who wanted to smoke wanted to use it in a big group. Not my cuppa.

Plus, I don't want to make friends here, since I know I won't stay. I'm trying to save up money to move to Portland and eventually Vancouver. Most of my friends are online, because I can always talk to them there. So I don't want to meet any one here or I'll be tempted to stay and this isn't where I want my future to be. Plus, any form of entertainment, other than the library, that I might like is 40 miles away.

[kookaburra1701]

Homebody. I haven't left my apartment other than to go for a solo ride or walk on the beach in three days. Most of my close friends are scattered across the globe, and none live within 150 miles. As long as I've got my interwebs, I'm set.

I'm also very much an introvert - it took me awhile to figure out, because I like meeting people and conversation and all that, but after awhile I need to be alone to recharge my batteries. My current work schedule is six 10 hour shifts in a row, then 8 days off. I've learned to stockpile supplies for the first three days off, because I just hole up in my apartment, recharging from having to be "on" for so long.

[gerv]

I hate to say this, 'cause I'm a bit of a homebody myself. But some of you need to get out once in a while. Get off the computer. Turn off all your mobile devices. Join a bike club or a co-op or something and start talking to people.

[xtrajack]

My wife is about all the social interaction I care to have.

I work as a janitor, on third shift, so I pretty much get left alone. I don't really do the whole social media thing, either. I don't tweet. I do have a facebook page, only because my sister visited, and threw a nutter, when she found out I didn't have one. It just sits there. I think I have 6 facebook friends, all but 2 I actually know in the "real" world.

My online presence is pretty much limited to a couple of forums. I guess I am not an extrovert.

[cooker]

Oh, don't get me wrong, our neighborhood and even our block is rife with young families with children that matches our kids' age. It's justshe wants to try out for cheerleading and/or basketball, my son wants football, baseball, or martial arts, and they both want to do soccer. It's just that not only is transportation an issue, but so would the time and financial investments as well.

At least you can't say that being car light has caused those financial limitations. You'd be less able to pay for all those activities if you had to pay for another car.

[cooker]

I feel best when I'm alone.

And you live in New York!!!!!!!

Just kidding. You can be "alone" anywhere.

[bamboopiper]

I'm also very much an introvert - it took me awhile to figure out, because I like meeting people and conversation and all that, but after awhile I need to be alone to recharge my batteries. My current work schedule is six 10 hour shifts in a row, then 8 days off. I've learned to stockpile supplies for the first three days off, because I just hole up in my apartment, recharging from having to be "on" for so long.

That's so familiar it's almost painful. Can't tell you how frustrating it is to finally get some "recharging time" and have a friend call me up and want to come see me. I have to be "on" for 9 hours at work, potentially 40 hours a week, and I need just as much recharge time and someone wants me to come be "on" for 4 more hours? On a friday night, when my batteries are so low, they might implode? Sorry. Not happening.

[kookaburra1701]

And you live in New York!!!!!!!

Just kidding. You can be "alone" anywhere.

I definitely managed it just fine when I was in a triple room dorm in college. A bedsheet fort on the bottom bunk works wonders.

[Anewbike]

I've never really thought about this before, but I do ride quite a bit around the city for 'social' events. I live mostly in the center of it all and rarely go out to the 'burbs. So in general, I don't think riding a bike instead of a car all the time affects those until its in the middle of winter and theres icy winds and snow and slick roads.