lifestyle

All the things I'd rather do than go outside this weekend.

An argument for staying home and doing nothing.

It was Saturday morning a few weeks ago when I got a call from a friend.

“Come to the beach! Come over! Let’s do something.”

“Nahhh,” I said. “I really, really don’t want to do anything today.”

I have something like this conversation with someone every weekend. Or weeknight. Or holiday. And my answer rarely changes. It would be sad, except it’s not.

I’m in my twenties – the prime of my life, you could say – and my absolute favourite thing to do with my time is… nothing.

Me. On a Saturday. Doing nothing. Being very, very happy.

It’s not because I’m lazy. It’s not because I’m sad or angry or unhappy in any way. In fact, I’m most excited if I know I have no plans for the following day.

I just really love to do nothing.

Read more: “The thought of being out past midnight makes me want to vomit.”

Reading a great book on my couch. Sleeping in. Watching a trashy rom-com. Taking a three-hour afternoon nap. Having a deliciously long bath. Not getting out of my pyjamas. Not putting on make up. Just. Doing. Nothing.

For those of you who set an early alarm on a Saturday just so you don’t waste any precious moment of your weekend, you probably feel a bit sorry for me.

But you know what? I feel sorry for you.

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The way I see it, we should all do what makes us happy. And there’s nothing wrong with me if what makes me happy is doing not-a-helluva-lot.

So, with this, here is a list of 7 things I would honestly rather do than go outside this weekend. If you’re of a similar mindset, share yours in the comments.

1. Re-watch every season of Sex and the City

Busy shopping centre or Carrie and Samantha? Easy choice. I’ll be on my couch. With junk food. And no one bothering me. This sounds like a pretty perfect Saturday to me.

2. Do my laundry and clean my house.

I’m so busy during the week, I leave Saturday free for my washing. By that time, I need to do at least three loads, sometimes four. We have no dryer, so I sit around and wait for my clothes to dry, while doing number 1 on this list. Bliss.

3. Have a bath.

Growing up, my parents banned me from having baths because I would lie in there for up to an hour and use up an excessive amount of water. There’s still nothing I love to do more on a Saturday night than grab a book, fill up the bath and just soak. Nothing can ruin your mood when you’re in a bath. Except if you drop your book… that’s happened to me a few times.

4. Get dolled up as if you’re going out, only to take your make up off and change back into your pyjamas.

Putting on a great Spotify playlist, trying on a new dress and testing out my new make up palette is something I’ve been known to do on many occasions. When I do venture outside, my favourite part is getting ready. But when I’m not leaving my house, I can take my time and try all sorts of weird things. Like attempting to replicate Kylie Jenner’s lips. (Didn’t work).

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5. Take a long afternoon nap.

I figure once I have children and my sleep time is precious, I’ll think back to these days and thank my boring, anti-social self. Nap time is the best time of day.

6. Read a really good book.

Curled up on the couch, tucked in bed, sitting on a ridiculously comfy chair… Grab a good book and I’m set for the day. There have been many days where I’ve cancelled plans for a good read. #NoRegrets.

7. Have a movie marathon.

There was one weekend not so long ago that I had a sad movie day. I watched tearjerker after tearjerker and cried for a good few hours. Then there was the Zac Efron day, the Jake Gyllenhaal day and the Meryl Streep day. Nothing better than following up a good movie with ANOTHER good movie. And popcorn. And a blanket. And pyjamas.

Look, I’m not crazy. I still like going outside occasionally. But until my body refuses to let me sleep in and my mind wakes up refreshed each Saturday and Sunday morning, I’m going to embrace staying in and doing absolutely nothing.

Who’s with me?