On a pretty much daily basis, I do the exact same things within the first five minutes of walking in my front door. I sling my bag into it's proper place, drop off lunch bag/dishes/coffee mug in kitchen, and completely change into "comfy clothes." I mean I can't kick off my shoes, derobe, and redress fast enough. And it hit me today how odd this might be and I thought, "Does anyone else do this? No, I'm just weird." For instance, I walked in right at 5:00 p.m. today and now, at 5:06 I am sitting on the couch writing this in full comfy gear, which I will probably wind up sleeping in. It's not enough close to dusk and I'm in pajamas! And I do it almost everyday.
That got me thinking when and where this habit of home was formed. Two words: my mother. Queen of comfort, I watched my mom do this exact same daily ritual for 30 years now. Thanks, ma! I'm a freak. But there is something about this habit that makes me feel like the day has been left behind. The stress of class or the hard work of a project all seem to melt away when I toss my clothes into the laundry basket and slither into the calm of a tattered t-shirt and stretchy pants.
So I am now wondering what habits of home others may have...
Hello world!
3 years ago
3 comments:
I have the exact same routine! Never really thought it was problematic until Oprah did a show about the need to get out of the "sweats" attitude. Her main point was that keeping up the appearance also kept up the spirits. She did not advocate getting rid of comfy clothes, just making them more attractive that sweats and a t. I think she has a point about how our clothes are connected to our state of being. So my question then is - how much do our clothes influence our attitude? And, why is it we are so quick to shed the work wear? I see it as a physical manifestation of a psychological shift. Even on "jean days" at work, I would come home and change - not because the clothes were uncomfortable, but because it was like literally taking off work and putting on home.
When I became a mom the need to change clothes took on a whole different meaning...1) I could not afford to replace the expensive work clothes every time the child spit-up or threw food on me as soon as I walked in the door, 2) it's hard to crawl around on the floor in a suit, and 3) I had to prepare food for others, which again comes back to protecting the investment of work clothes - an apron wasn't enough in my food slinging style of cooking.
Now that my children are older, the impetus is a bit different...but the need is the same - the need to shed work and embrace home...the clothes just provide a concrete way to feel at home.
A-men Jennilee. There is nothing wrong with pj's or pj like clothes at 5 pm!
If I had my d'ruthers, I'd totally live in my PJs. I think I hate to be dressed. When I had a regular job, I had the same ritual...home and I couldn't change fast enough. You aren't a freak!
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