Re-learning how to go out
Some of us have gotten used to avoiding going out because, lately, every plan turns out to be underwhelming. So it’s easier to just say no to going out whatsoever, and avoid the disconfort of having to travel and spend money for a night that could’ve been an email, or a few hours of good TikTok scrolling.
But there is also those blessed days in which we go out, and every plan results in a magical moment we’re so thankful to get to experience in this lifetime. There is no way to predict which plan is going to be great and which isn’t, so we might have to start saying yes more often so our chances increase.
It’s mathematical: if we say yes more, the chances of great things happening to us increase every time we do. And for those who are true homebodies, I’ve talked about it before: there is nothing quite like coming back home after going out; it’s like the pleasure of being home but a hundred times better.
Breaking the cycle of never leaving the house doesn’t mean becoming an extroverted butterfly out of the blue. It means resisting the urge to cancel EVERY plan before we even give them a chance. If we’re fulfilled, then we can keep bingeing documentaries and movies and screentime before bed, but if we do feel a little bit lonely, I think we should listen to this advice.
Sometimes, the worst part about going out is the anticipation, but once we’re out and about, surrounded by people, or tasting the best cake at a cute café with our best friends, we quickly forget that ugly feeling. Let’s find the perfect equilibrium between going out and staying in so each becomes more enjoyable.
We homebodies need to go out once in a while as well, even if it is just to enjoy coming back home! And it doesn’t necessarily have to be with other people as well. We can go to a local park only to lie in the sun! It definitely feels amazing.
The goal isn’t to change our nature, but not to have to refuse connection only because we love to be in our homes. Maybe we can get used to inviting our best friend over, the one we know we don’t have to perform for, the one we know we can chill in silence with.
