I could have written this exact post.

I think the weather, kids going virtual, activities being canceled - just made the beginning of January different.

I usually walk outside daily, but have been using my treadmill and peleton. If you have a big job, a fun family, and a sunny house - I don’t think you are secretly depressed.

Maybe not unhealthy or depressed, but definitely not a life I'd envy!

I’m one of the PPs who said OP should enjoy it. All of you who think she needs to get out everyday, do you mind the cold? I hate it. I would never go for a walk in the winter. I’m out everyday but the sun is barely rising when I leave and is setting when I drive home. I am not getting fresh air or sunlight either. Walking outside in the cold is overrated.

Op I don’t know what all these people are going so crazy about.

Long before the pandemic I realized I was happy not leaving the house. I also get lots of exercise inside, have huge windows and do a lot of zoom calls for work and also phone calls for personal interaction. I am happy this way.

My dh on the other hand starts to climb the walls after a couple of days and is somehow relieved by going to the grocery store and coming back. I really don’t understand this at all. The grocery store is indoors, infectious and not at all stimulation. And what social interaction goes on there??

If it working for you, op, let it go. I am an introvert but have travelled to 40 countries on 5 continents and can’t wait to get on a plane again soon. But I am totally happy doing peloton in front of a picture window. Walking to work, which I was done f, was just giving me wind burn (really). Enjoy your PJs!

I don’t think it’s unhealthy. Sounds like OP is getting her social needs, exercise and sun needs met at home. I envy the sunny house!

Please tell me some of you "outdoors!" PPs are outside the DMV in warmer climes? It is gray and cold here in northern Virginia!

From spring through fall, I'm definitely outside (walking the dog, running, etc.). But during the coldest days of the winter, when it's below freezing, I rarely go out. And my mental health is fine.

Anonymous wrote:When my kids are in school, I am forced to go out a couple times per day for the walk to and from.

I would happily stay inside in my Jammies most days, especially in the winter.

I used to be an extrovert, but I would 100% live as a crazy cat lady now. Can I substitute cats for family members?

This is not a matter of extroversion/introversion, or cat lady/not cat lady. This is agoraphobic vs. not agoraphobic.

- introvert cat lady who leaves the house 7 days a week, and not for work. Going outside, breathing fresh air, and seeing other humans is normal. Not going out once for 12 days in a row is majorly abnormal & unhealthy.

When my kids are in school, I am forced to go out a couple times per day for the walk to and from.

I would happily stay inside in my Jammies most days, especially in the winter.

I used to be an extrovert, but I would 100% live as a crazy cat lady now. Can I substitute cats for family members?

That really does not sound healthy. Brisk fresh air is healthy for you. And that amount of screen time without even going for a walk sounds more like an addiction.

Anonymous wrote:Human beings need to be outdoors. There is nothing healthy or natural about staying in your house for 12 days, OP. And for the PP with the newborn, the same is true for you. You and the baby need to be outdoors at least once a day. Your baby needs sunlight.

+1
This is so unhealthy.

Honestly you may not be depressed, but you’re languishing. Watching so much television is not good for you. You may not even be able to tell sadly! Get outside & exercise. Seeing people over the video is not the same as in person.

I leave my house every single day. If I have no other reason to be out, I go to the gym. I have a lot of things I love to do at the house. But I have to get out.

I can’t do that. I’m in zoom meetings 6+ hours a day, so not wanting for human interaction, and regularly use the peloton and do yoga, so get plenty of exercise, but it definitely impacts my mood if I don’t get out. I totally understand how you could do this, but after 48 hours I personally start getting grumpy. At the very least I try to walk the dog through the woods every day.

This seems reasonable to me in the middle of January. Not everyone loves the cold.

A Peloton is not a substitute for leaving the house.

OP you need to go for a walk every day. Get a dog if that would help.

Then when you’ve been doing that for a while, add the grocery store.