too easy to stay at home

I'm involved in quite a lot of clubs etc. in our area and really enjoy them all. Sometimes I think I'd like to cuddle up on the sofa instead but I'd be losing so much if I did. Friendship, fun, village news, mixing with different age groups, laughter, and also the pleasure of helping and supporting others. in fact, a proper life, not a second hand one from the telly.

I usually prefer evenings at home in the winter months, the exceptions being special occasions, dinner with friends (at each other's homes once a month) or a theatre visit, quiz night etc.
Today is sunny, just right for a brisk bike ride or run but tonight will be minus degrees like last night. Time for comfy pjs, a log fire, books, my favourite home-made mac n cheese and hot chocolate.
As for now, I'm off to take some autumnal photos on Blackdown, in Shillinglee and Upper Vann (a cycle route)

Yes, as soon as the clocks go back I have to force myself out after dark, not done well this week but going swimming tonight. Hate the short days they really effect me but at least the sun is shining here now. Thanks Kateykrunch, that is a helpful tool.

I prefer to stay in but make myself go to NWR and book group. I usually enjoy it when I am there although last night it was so boring I wished I had stayed at home!!

I very rarely go out in the evenings. I'm on my own, don't drive and find it quite scary, particularly near the local station and high street (there's no taxi there either).

I do find it hard to make the effort,but I make myself go out in the evenings sometimes.It's so easy to just watch tv in a cosy dressing gown,but the evenings are so long now it gets dark earlier.It makes a nice change to go out sometimes.

I play tennis outdoors all year round and have to really make myself go on winter evenings - as it’s always fun when I get there and the hot bath and glass of wine when I come home is wonderful! I’m also so so grateful that I am still able to do it.

Why cannot those, who like myself dread the clock change and that we are in for more dark than light, have the chance to hibernate. Until a couple of years ago I had no problem in doing late shopping / visiting a friend etc and having to drive home through unlit country lanes. Now its curtains drawn lights on at dusk and me with no intention on venturing further that putting out the rubbish in the bins by my garden gate.

I’m in a book club too dragonfly46. .... what was your boring book (I might avoid it haha!)

I have a friend who lives in England. She comes to Ireland once or twice a year. She always wants to go to Belfast for a meal and a drink, AT NIGHT! I will only go for lunch. Mainly because i hate driving into Belfast at night and having to park. She is the same age as me (66) but likes to think she is younger and more fun! I'm more than happy to go at night if my husband is driving though.

Love the Action Calendar, Katyk. I've bookmarked it so I can try some of the ideas. I found myself kicking through piles of Autumn leaves the other day on my way back from lunch with friends. So I must be in the right frame of mind.

Katey quite a few interesting things on your calendar to adopt.

I agree we shouldn't let life pass us by but it's an indulgence now to pick and choose whether we make the effort to go out or not. Must admit I hate night driving now and if there is even a hint of ice on the roads I cancel all plans. I skidded 360° on ice once and it put me off winter roads for good.

travelsafar. I am very much inclined to stay at home. The journey out in the dark and cold and having to return to an empty house (dogs excepted!) all loom as huge detergents and I stay at home.

Also by late afternoon my pain has become worse so I need extra meds and these make me drowsy. All in all, I have become a stay-at-home girl.

when I got to late 50s I found going out in evening a chore, I was out during the day too at times.now at 63 I wont go out both am and pm. a few years back I was out at with a friend in a pub in the evening
I looked around and we were the oldest folk in the pub. and it wasn't a trendy pub! I think that summed it up for me.

I suspect that, deep down, biologically we are programmed to be out and about in the light, and to stay in when it's dark (which makes a lot of sense from an evolutionary point of view?) I go out a lot during the lighter months but during Winter I go into "hibernation" mode during the evenings, stay warm and cosy, read lots of books and catch up on films I've missed (I buy the DVDs and store them up for the darker months). I arrange to meet people, during the day. Made an exception last night and met a friend to see a film but, to be honest, would rather have met her much earlier. However, I was amazed to see how many older people were out so maybe I'm just too reluctant to be uncomfortable?

Tillybelle
Huge detergents ???
I'm sorry but this made me smile. Imagined you being greeted by giant bottles and enormous boxes of washing powder.
That would confuse your doggies.

I do love the cinema. It's only a fiver here and I take a fleece blanket in with me.

I don’t drive into the city centre- too confusing and parking is expensive. I use the bus, and don’t mind coming home late by myself, but it’s the cold I can’t stand, so I use taxis. I justify the expense by reasoning I don’t pay for parking and petrol, and it’s not a huge expense since I live near the centre. As a bonus, I always seem to get a really chatty driver! (Or, perhaps it’s me who is chatty...)

I always know when it's getting cold as the cat prefers to stay in during the evenings when I'm out! Although it's sometimes an effort, I rarely miss an invitation to go out. I'm an avid pub quizzer so I couldn't renege on that commitment especially as I'm the designated driver as I don't drink.

It's worse if you live in the country, Everywhere is pitch black away from the villages (and even in some villages, our sister one has no street lighting at all). It's so easy and tempting to hibernate. We went to a firework display last night at the fire college (appropriate) and it was nice to be out for a change. (Also you get badgers and deer on the road more at night in the country with consequent possible damage to the car and you.) When I lived in London it was so easy to go out!

I have to push myself but it is considerably easier than it was when we lived in a small rural hamlet. Facing a 30 minute drive to anywhere was very off putting and I could very easily have hibernated.

I do go out in the evenings if something has been arranged, but I must be honest and say that if it's very cold, wet, windy, icy, etc then unless I really have to, I stay indoors. I'm a bit if a home body, really! ?

Of, not if.

I fear I don't like going out at any time in the winter, I just want to curl up and hibernate until Spring arrives. I forced myself to take the dog out this morning and I must admit it was a lovely frosty scene and I was very well wrapped up. Now is the time I get out the jigsaws and do my craft stuff.

Oh well I am not complaining. I walk the dog at around 10pm . It's worth the effort to have her company 24 hours each day. Incidentally she get walked 3 times each day, rain hail or shine. It keeps me fit. I would not be seen outside if I didn't have my dog.