Why leave the homestead?

Wolf Flower · #1 05/24/08, 11:44 PM

Well, I don't know if you can call what I'm doing homesteading. I own one acre surrounded by the neighbor's almond orchards. I recently renovated an outbuilding and moved my pet grooming business from a strip mall in town to my home. We raise poultry, have a veggie garden and fruit trees, and of course lots of pet critters.

Now that I work at home, I sold my car and rarely leave the property. And you know what? I have absolutely no desire to leave the property.

My better half has a job at the brewery, so he runs most of the errands and brings home free beer. I stay home, groom dogs and cats, board a few dogs, tend the stock, bake bread, putter around... and rarely go anywhere. I have pretty much everything I need right here, and I'm content and happy as can be.

I used to travel quite a bit, and enjoyed visiting the city. I haven't even left the house for about two weeks, and at this moment I'm not entertaining any travel plans. I have to go to a wedding next month in San Francisco, which is a three hour drive, and we're staying for the weekend. But other than that I have absolutely no motivation to leave.

Is this healthy?!?

I can't even bother myself to drive two miles down the road to make a bank deposit or pick up groceries.

Am I becoming a hermit, and if so, is this a bad thing?

donsgal · #2 05/24/08, 11:53 PM

Being a hermit isn't a bad thing.

What is important is that you are happy and your dh is happy, so heck.

Free beer? hmmmmmm just where do you get a job like that!!!! LOL

donsgal

bajiay · #3 05/24/08, 11:58 PM

I don't think it is a bad thing. I live 27 miles from town (45 minutes) and I hate going into town. I'd rather stay home 24/7. My family thinks I am crazy for moving here because we are so far away from everything (needless to say, they are city folk) so I must be doing something right! My husband only leaves the ranch to go to church on Sundays and occasionally to go with me to the doctor (2 hrs away). He never wants to leave either. It is good that we can be content with what we have, no matter how big our "homestead" is.

Ravenlost · #4 05/25/08, 01:39 AM

If you're happy then it's okay to be a hermit. I love being a hermit and as soon as hubby retires he's going to be a hermit with me.

**Shrek** · #5 05/25/08, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

If you're happy then it's okay to be a hermit. I love being a hermit and as soon as hubby retires he's going to be a hermit with me.

If you are a "hermit" wouldn't that make your hubby a "himmit"?

stranger · #6 05/25/08, 06:19 AM

I was in the military and went to three countries in europe and three in Asia, I drove a truck around the usa off and on for 30 yrs, owned a garage-gas station,raised on a dairy farm, saw all the people and all the places that i want and need to so i seldom ever leave the place, everyone that i want to see comes here, a little to often to suit me, i just like being alone with my wife and the kids,GKs when they come over.

foaly · #7 05/25/08, 06:36 AM

Welcome to the world of being a hermit! I love it. Best of all, hermits don't have to spend much on gasoline.

Himmit? Oh, Shrek, that's a great one!

HOTW · #8 05/25/08, 06:41 AM

You're not a hermit, you're contented person..if you never saw people(um grooming business) then you can be a hermit....

Nothing wrong with not wanting to leave, I grew up in the country and we went to town about every 2 weeks after dad's pay day to buy groceries. Other than that we never left home, cept to run around the woods, the valley, the fields...you get the idea!

Minelson · #9 05/25/08, 07:14 AM

Yep, I am the same way. HATE going into town which is a 45 min drive. I purchase most of what I need off the internet. I make the drive and stock up about once a month and rush to get it done and get home. I do work part time in a little town near me as a Vet assistant about 10 hours a week and I really like that. I do take my horse to different trail areas to ride and I like that. But, other than that, I'm home! I HATE talking on the phone and usually don't answer it. My husbands job takes him on the road so he is gone a lot...fine with me! This is soooo different than when I was in my 20's & 30's. And friends and family can't believe how much I changed.

This forum is more my style now for a social life!

ErinP · #10 05/25/08, 09:05 AM

I go to town about once or twice per week, depending upon if we go to church that week. It never even crossed my mind I was almost a hermit! lol

The ranch we lived on when we first got married was 45 miles from town. Church was a little country church out in the middle of nowhere and I taught country school. I saw my handful of students regularly and our neighbors at church, but went to town once a month.

It's been my experience that the less exposure I have to people in my daily life, the more I appreciate them when I actively seek them out.

meganwf · #11 05/25/08, 04:09 PM

I like what you are all saying -- there is a difference in isolating oneself because you don't like the "outside world" and just being satisfied with where you are! Lots of people would like that feeling. And I am sure your business brings folks to your door so that you do have some social interaction. I'm home all week and usually like to do something with the whole family like hiking somewhere else or seeing friends whereas my husband is gone all week and never wants to leave on the weekends! Compromise and balance is usually called for!

TNHermit · #12 05/25/08, 04:25 PM

DO I have to change my user name. TNHimmit. This doesn't mean I'm gay does it??

Being a hermit <er himmit is the best!!!!

Minelson · #13 05/25/08, 06:15 PM

LOL...only you know if your gay or not. You better change it

Quint · #14 05/26/08, 01:40 AM

I prefer to stay at home. I hate when I have appointments or other obligations that require me to go somewhere. I do like to drive though and I find I actually enjoy the trip just not the actual chore I must perform once I get there. I hate going to town for groceries. I hate shopping for them and I really hate paying for them. I also hate dragging the things inside the house from the truck.

I'm just content at home. I'm not the type of person who needs to go into town just to socialize or be around activity. In fact, if I go to larger towns all of the noise and activity seems to really bother me now. I don't know how I ever lived in NYC and some of the other metro areas I lived in.

I'm not a total loner though I do enjoy company and I think that companionship one of the most important things in life but as for crowds, town and going places I'd just as soon stay at home with a loved one.

CaliannG · #15 05/26/08, 06:51 AM

On Fridays, DH and I go over to the in-law's for a wild, crazy, partying night of drinking root beer and playing spades. Sometimes, we *really* get a wild hair, and play dominoes.

On Saturdays, our best friends come over. DH's old I.T. buddy and my old college buddy, whom we introduced to each other some time ago and they made a permanent thing of it. The gentlemen spend the day in the garage, and she and I spend the day in the kitchen.

That is about the only socialization we do nowadays. DH goes to work Sunday through Thursday. Twice a month, we go grocery shopping. Other than that, we do not willingly wander amongst humans (we've heard humans can be dangerous and most can be rabid).

I know, I know...it's a wild and crazy lifestyle we lead, and we need to learn to slow down to smell the roses. Sorry, but no-can-do. We've become accustomed to our fast-lane living.

Kaitlin · #16 05/27/08, 04:40 AM

I too am content to be at home most of the time. I am so busy with the plants and animals and home and cooking that I never have time to be bored. I feel a little sorry for people who feel the need to be rushing around here there and everywhere having to buy things all the time. They probably feel sorry for me!

Janis Sauncy · #17 05/27/08, 07:58 AM

My best days are days I never leave my driveway.

I envy those of you who only leave your home place once a week (or less). I still have two kids that are dependent on me for transportation, plus I have therapy/doctor's appointments that I have to go to. Occasionally, I can stretch my stay-at-home lengths to four days, but that's about it...so far.

I could very easily become a hermit/recluse. I have no problems being alone or even being a woman alone in the country (for that time when my kids are finally grown and gone...."only" five more years 'til the youngest turns 18!).

I have to take one of my sons to a meeting with his independent studies teacher today; tomorrow, I have therapy. If I plan right, maybe I won't have to leave again until my doctor's appointment next Monday.

Janis

Ramblin Wreck · #18 05/27/08, 09:41 AM

It would seem that if you are content WF, enjoy it. Now if you catch yourself starting to watch all the talk shows or soap operas, run away fast.

Oggie · #19 05/27/08, 09:48 AM

You had me convinced at "free beer."

Phantomfyre · #20 05/27/08, 09:48 AM

Hmm, if women are hermits, and men are himmets, then kids must be kermits?