Women staying in, staying home, downshifting this year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't eat out as much because the food is no good. I don't know what happened, but Covid started it and then the past year or two restaurants cut costs and everything is gross. Same with shopping. I don't really purchase anything anymore.

You’re going to the wrong restaurants sweetie.

Which ones do you recommend, darling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not me or my circle. I love my job, traveling, and going out.

How old are you guys?

Range from late 30s to late 40s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't eat out as much because the food is no good. I don't know what happened, but Covid started it and then the past year or two restaurants cut costs and everything is gross. Same with shopping. I don't really purchase anything anymore.

You’re going to the wrong restaurants sweetie.

Which ones do you recommend, darling?

I’d ask you which ones to avoid but it sounds like we’re dining in different tiers thank goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't eat out as much because the food is no good. I don't know what happened, but Covid started it and then the past year or two restaurants cut costs and everything is gross. Same with shopping. I don't really purchase anything anymore.

You’re going to the wrong restaurants sweetie.

Which ones do you recommend, darling?

I’d ask you which ones to avoid but it sounds like we’re dining in different tiers thank goodness.

Unfortunately after living in New York, DC restaurants leave much to be desired for me.

[Anonymous]

I’m seeing mid-40s to mid-50s ladies making more of an effort to connect. Kids are independent in high school, college or even graduated. The women are sensing the need for community now that their children have or are on their way out of the house.

[Anonymous]

My 32 year old co worker asks me every Friday “do you have any plans this weekend?” She seems disappointed every time I say “just relax at home!” She is the type that is going to drag her toddler to a gym class, a winery and out to eat, plus make her husband build something for their house this weekend. We are very dissimilar.

[Anonymous]

I'm an empty nester but my routine is basically work, running, gardening, reading and watching tv. Then on weekends dh and I will go out and run or do a long walk somewhere new and grab a little treat out, no meal. We just go out for special events with other family members who enjoy it, and never a "blah" place, it has to be worth it.

It's a big shift from the high school years which had a lot of stress, events, sports all the time and I LOVE doing so little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't eat out as much because the food is no good. I don't know what happened, but Covid started it and then the past year or two restaurants cut costs and everything is gross. Same with shopping. I don't really purchase anything anymore.

I feel the same about both. Nothing feels worth the expense.

+1

[Anonymous]

I've been a SAHW/M since my 20s and love it. I enjoy cooking and baking, doing the fun field trips with my kids, traveling over long weekends, and I have plenty of hobbies (yoga, pilates, art) to keep me busy. I never want to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't eat out as much because the food is no good. I don't know what happened, but Covid started it and then the past year or two restaurants cut costs and everything is gross. Same with shopping. I don't really purchase anything anymore.

You’re going to the wrong restaurants sweetie.

Which ones do you recommend, darling?

I’d ask you which ones to avoid but it sounds like we’re dining in different tiers thank goodness.

Unfortunately after living in New York, DC restaurants leave much to be desired for me.

This is true. I have a very small list of places I will actually dine at in VA and DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 32 year old co worker asks me every Friday “do you have any plans this weekend?” She seems disappointed every time I say “just relax at home!” She is the type that is going to drag her toddler to a gym class, a winery and out to eat, plus make her husband build something for their house this weekend. We are very dissimilar.

I hate that! I hate being asked what I'm doing this weekend and FEEL THEIR disappointment! wth.

[Anonymous]

I agree, I've noticed this too. We're all just really tired and not feeling like much is worth the effort or money. I don't know that this is depression but it's for sure something happening. This is a thing. I think the last 6 years has really taken a toll on everything in our lives. Made us reevaluate things and made us more wanting to be relaxed maybe at home, I don't know but this isn't just you OP. You're not alone in this at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't eat out as much because the food is no good. I don't know what happened, but Covid started it and then the past year or two restaurants cut costs and everything is gross. Same with shopping. I don't really purchase anything anymore.

This is very true. Clothes are so bad right now.

I still see my friends a decent amount, although it was curtailed a bit over the winter.

I just opened an OLD box full of clothes I must have last worn 15 years ago. I was going to donate it all, then though wait, this random GAP sweater, Jcrew stuff, old blue jeans and leather Coach bag all look so much better than anything I can buy today. Maybe I should hang onto them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's your age group. My kids are older now and I'm upshifting. More time for myself, less time and energy mothering.

+1. We're traveling like crazy, renovating our home to age in place, exercising more and joining new groups.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s partially due to a decade plus bull market.

If you’re a mid-40s mom and have been investing for almost 20 years you can have a lot of money saved in retirement. Once you have a few million it’s easier to take some risk and quit your job.

Then there are housing costs. Similar to investing if you bought pre-2020 you have a lot of equity and inflation has made your mortgage less.

I have my number and plan to resign in a few years. I’ll probably say RTO which is partially true and has pushed me over the edge. But really it’s that I have enough money.