I haven't left my house in 12 days...literally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You didn’t need to give a child a ride, or pickup takeout or groceries in 12 days? Sounds like your husband is doing all of the adulting at your house.

I do the cooking (minimal takeout).

Teens drive.

Adulting really isn’t that hard.

I truly feel sorry for your family. And I disagree that you are no depressed. Depressed people are rarely a good judge of it.

Why do you feel sorry for my family? Because I haven’t left the house in 12 days?

They’ve left the house. They’re happy. I’m cooking and baking for them (not relying on takeout).

I’m showering, exercising, and have full hair and makeup M-F for work.

So, you’re taking issue with the fact that I’m not running errands? Not picking up takeout? Not taking walks in the cold? Okay. But, why feel sorry for my family?

I’m not depressed. I’m so happy when I don’t need to scramble on the weekend to get the younger kids to birthday parties, sports and play dates. Because everyone we know has been dealing with covid since the holidays, these last two weekends have been quiet. That’s new and unusual, not the norm. I slept in to 8:30 today, and it was magical.

The only way your non-driving kids are leaving the house is if someone else is taking them. And I do NOT believe you are showering and wearing makeup daily.

DH takes my non-driving kids to/from school. I’m online for work at 8:30, so I’ve never been the driver for school.

I’d sooner cut off my hand than appear on zoom without full hair and makeup in a silk blouse or cashmere sweater. I’m up early during the week to exercise, shower, get ready, pack lunches, etc. before starting work at 8 or 8:30 M-F. Super demanding career; nobody shows up on zoom without looking polished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You didn’t need to give a child a ride, or pickup takeout or groceries in 12 days? Sounds like your husband is doing all of the adulting at your house.

I do the cooking (minimal takeout).

Teens drive.

Adulting really isn’t that hard.

I truly feel sorry for your family. And I disagree that you are no depressed. Depressed people are rarely a good judge of it.

Why do you feel sorry for my family? Because I haven’t left the house in 12 days?

They’ve left the house. They’re happy. I’m cooking and baking for them (not relying on takeout).

I’m showering, exercising, and have full hair and makeup M-F for work.

So, you’re taking issue with the fact that I’m not running errands? Not picking up takeout? Not taking walks in the cold? Okay. But, why feel sorry for my family?

I’m not depressed. I’m so happy when I don’t need to scramble on the weekend to get the younger kids to birthday parties, sports and play dates. Because everyone we know has been dealing with covid since the holidays, these last two weekends have been quiet. That’s new and unusual, not the norm. I slept in to 8:30 today, and it was magical.

Your husband mentioned it to you for a reason. He wasn’t just making conversation.

Nope. He was laughing about it. He noticed he hasn’t left the house much either since returning from our trip. It’s covid driven: everyone around us is sick, so the usual little kid activities weren’t happening and we resorted to ordering stuff for delivery or just making do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently, I haven't left my house in 12 days. My DH pointed it out. He was shocked and is wondering why I'm not going stir crazy. My teens had the same response.

Candidly, this is the silver lining of the pandemic for me: working from home, and not having to run around on the weekends.

FTR, I'm not sick. I'm not depressed.

I spent today (Saturday) binge watching a couple shows while doing some housework here and there.

Anyone else, or am I a freak?

You definitely are depressed. You haven't even gone outdoors, for a walk? Gotten some vitamin D? Interacted with humans you don't live with? Like mild eye contact? You had no joy or interest in leaving your home? That's not normal, or remotely healthy.

Hell I'm an introvert, and the last time I time I stayed totally and completely home bound, was for 48 hours when I had the flu 7 years ago.

I'm not depressed. Not at all.

I have a demanding job that entails a lot of human interaction throughout the week (including evenings). I FaceTime with family and friends. I just haven't left the house to run errands. My teens are out and about with friends, and my younger kids' activities have been tamped down due to covid. So, I'm off the hook: no birthday parties, no indoor sports.

I have lots of joy. Staying in my PJs today relaxing, baking with my kids, etc. = JOY.

I hate the cold weather, so I'm not one to walk outside when it's cold. We have a treadmill, so I'm good.

I honestly hadn't even noticed how long I've been at home. We went on vacation for winter break, and then I guess I just stayed put at home. And, it's been very, very relaxing.

Totally get you, OP. Let’s be virtual friends!

I need lots and lots of alone time and rest and quiet. In my regular life, I lead classes of 12+ adult learners and work on a small team of 5 in a communication field. I’m known for my outgoing, engaging personality and unflagging energy and enthusiasm. This is the flip side to my personality: as I get older, I need longer to re-charge! I love solitary pursuits like walking outside, reading a great book, binge watching tv shows and take naps on the weekends.

[Anonymous]

How are you getting exercise and vitamin D?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Full hair and makeup and you're not leaving the house? Sorry, but that sounds unbelievable.

She made that part up to sound like less of a sloth.

If you had my job, you’d understand. I’m on several zooms everyday. Men wear button downs and sweaters; women wear high end blouses or sweaters plus jewelry. One woman who isn’t in upper management once filled in for her boss and appeared in an athleisure top, and once she dropped off the zoom the ED reminded the rest of us to reiterate the dress code expectations to our teams. No sloths allowed.

Over the weekend it’s a different story: PJs all day until I shower before bedtime with DH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are you getting exercise and vitamin D?

Fancy treadmill + yoga and stairs.

You’re fooling yourself if you think you are getting vitamin D in the winter in the dc metro area. It doesn’t penetrate your clothing. I take supplements. Plus, we just returned from winter break in a sunny, warm destination.

Just to reiterate: this is a 12 day anomaly, not the norm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently, I haven't left my house in 12 days. My DH pointed it out. He was shocked and is wondering why I'm not going stir crazy. My teens had the same response.

Candidly, this is the silver lining of the pandemic for me: working from home, and not having to run around on the weekends.

FTR, I'm not sick. I'm not depressed.

I spent today (Saturday) binge watching a couple shows while doing some housework here and there.

Anyone else, or am I a freak?

You definitely are depressed. You haven't even gone outdoors, for a walk? Gotten some vitamin D? Interacted with humans you don't live with? Like mild eye contact? You had no joy or interest in leaving your home? That's not normal, or remotely healthy.

Hell I'm an introvert, and the last time I time I stayed totally and completely home bound, was for 48 hours when I had the flu 7 years ago.

I'm not depressed. Not at all.

I have a demanding job that entails a lot of human interaction throughout the week (including evenings). I FaceTime with family and friends. I just haven't left the house to run errands. My teens are out and about with friends, and my younger kids' activities have been tamped down due to covid. So, I'm off the hook: no birthday parties, no indoor sports.

I have lots of joy. Staying in my PJs today relaxing, baking with my kids, etc. = JOY.

I hate the cold weather, so I'm not one to walk outside when it's cold. We have a treadmill, so I'm good.

I honestly hadn't even noticed how long I've been at home. We went on vacation for winter break, and then I guess I just stayed put at home. And, it's been very, very relaxing.

Totally get you, OP. Let’s be virtual friends!

I need lots and lots of alone time and rest and quiet. In my regular life, I lead classes of 12+ adult learners and work on a small team of 5 in a communication field. I’m known for my outgoing, engaging personality and unflagging energy and enthusiasm. This is the flip side to my personality: as I get older, I need longer to re-charge! I love solitary pursuits like walking outside, reading a great book, binge watching tv shows and take naps on the weekends.

I hear ya! I suspect women without such demanding jobs simply can’t relate to how draining it is to be “on” all the time. Weekends at home relaxing are critical for recharging.

FTR, I’m not a hermit. I love to travel, and I’m rarely home on the weekends when it’s nice outside (kids activities, day trips, weekend trips). I do find that I prefer family time on the weekends though (which often includes extended family and our closest friends who feel like family).

[Anonymous]

I get it. I can’t go that long without getting outside for fresh air for an extended period, but I certainly don’t need to go out among people. You have a good space, you don’t mind staying in it. Enjoy.

[Anonymous]

On a personal level I can’t relate at all, since my max is 1-2 days before I go stir crazy. But I also don’t think it’s weird/abnormal etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On a personal level I can’t relate at all, since my max is 1-2 days before I go stir crazy. But I also don’t think it’s weird/abnormal etc.

Thank you! I've posted on this thread earlier (I hate the cold), and it is shocking how this has turned into:

"You're clearly depressed."
"No, I'm actually good, thanks."
"You're in denial. Depressed people don't know they're depressed." [Which is BS, I can assure you as someone who has suffered from depression!]
"No, I'm fine. And this is just a funny anomaly."
"Your vitamin D levels are dangerously depleted. And has anyone mentioned that you are depressed?"

Just because it's not something YOU could do doesn't mean someone who can deal with it is a DSM-IV candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, in our region, in the dead of winter, going outside at any time of day will not give you any vitamin d. in this area you only get vitamin d from the sun from March to November. I know it sounds weird but I had vitamin d deficiency and I researched this. I have to take pills year round.

DP here. I’m reassured to read this as I could have written OP’s post and was starting to worry about the vitamin D issue. Otherwise, right there with you, OP! We have had folks over to our house a couple times over the last couple of weeks, but I have only left the house a couple times to take our youngest to practice. I have one Zoom call per week, but generally interact with work colleagues exclusively by email. I love staying inside when it’s cold and grey. We very much have a cozy/hygge type situation going on and I am digging it. It’s a great time of year to focus on cooking and family.

Even in the summer, you need to have a large skin area exposed to the sun in order to absorb enough vitamin D. You aren’t getting enough just by having your face out in the sun.

[Anonymous]

I think this sounds totally fine. Not sure why everyone is freaking out. This is a highly unusually time!! We just had a big snow event, are having another snow event right now, everyone seems to have Covid so a lot of the usual social activities are off the table, extracurriculars at many schools have been cancelled the past two weeks due to omicron, and the weather is miserable. If you work from home, can exercise at home, and don't have to leave the house, why would you? AND - if you had plenty of socializing over the holidays, I can see how it would be nice to lay low a bit. It is not like the OP does this all the time.

[Anonymous]

It's cold, the weather is gray or crappy, and there are so many Covid cases. My dh and I have been swapping off going to the grocery store once a week. It's not that unusual for January in the DC area, at least for me.

[Anonymous]

Some people are homebodies.

I didn’t leave the house for a week and I felt extremely stir crazy.

[Anonymous]

I think this sounds amazing! Good on you, OP.