Everyday at work, we have a meeting first thing in the morning called, “rounds.” Rounds is where the managers talk about client and staffing issues and any trainings that are taking place during the day. This past Friday, during the unofficial, “tell me your weekend plans” part of the meeting 
one of my co-workers asked me what I was doing over the weekend.
When I responded, “probably just cleaning the house and relaxing.”
She remarked, “I guess you’re just a homebody, aren’t you?”
The comment sort of took me aback for a minute. First, I felt a little bit insulted like, “what’s that supposed to mean?” you think I don’t have a life? Then I felt annoyed, like, “it’s none of your business what I do on the weekend!” And then I felt like I had to “defend” myself, by explaining all of the “fabulous” plans that I hadn’t told her about…”Well we were planning on taking out the schooner, but since it’s supposed to rain we’ll probably just go to a Broadway show and then stop by Momofuku Ko for dinner and drinks.”
Ultimately, I just smiled and said that I enjoy simple pleasures, like spending time with my boyfriend and our pets, catching up on housework and having a few drinks with friends. She agreed that sometimes she likes to do the same and the conversation ended as quickly as it began.
But it obviously, “stuck” with me because I’m still analyzing it today. Maybe I’m over sensitive or maybe I’m a little neurotic (or maybe both), but I feel like there’s definitely a stigma associated with being a homebody, especially in NYC.
There’s almost some sort of unwritten rule that you’re, “broke” or “boring”, if you don’t have some sort of exciting plans for the weekend. Even if it’s dinner out or drinks with friends, you have to have something to say to co-workers when you get back to work on Monday morning.
9 ways being a homebody (on the weekend) saves me money:
- Staying at home is free. There’s no cover charge or admission.
- I don’t have to wear, “work clothes” or nice sweaters that need to be dry cleaned. I can rock the same PJs all weekend and nobody cares.
- I don’t get overcharged for booze. There’s no markup on the beer in my fridge.
- Who needs an improv show when you have pets? I swear they totally crack me up on a daily basis.
- Christmas is coming and gifts are expensive. Staying at home means lots of time to work on homemade gifts. Sweaters for my nephews and niece don’t knit themselves…
- Why go to the movies when you enjoy movies and TV in the comfort of your living room? Eric pays a lot of money for cable. Someone has to make use of On Demand episodes of Dance moms!
- The maid (me) only works on weekends. If I didn’t take time to clean on the weekends I’d probably have to hire a maid because when I get home weeknights I’m way to tired to do anything except eat and go to bed.
- Weekends are the best time to prep food for the week. Cooking on Sunday and bringing my lunch to work saves me at least $50 a week!
- I know what my friends do on the weekends and it’s pretty similar to what I do. So I’m don’t feel like I’m, “missing out” on anything. When I want to get together with friends I invite them over and we both save money by staying in.
What’s best about being a homebody? When I want to go out and do something fun, I have the money to do it because I didn’t blow all my money trying to impress my co-workers with, extravagant plans every weekend!
Are you a homebody? Do you think there’s negative stigma with being a homebody? What does a “normal” weekend look like at your house?
Image: Ian Burt
