As much as I look forward to coming home from holidays, I must admit there is a small part of me that wonders just how I will fit back in. Sometimes I wonder if I am a little like a rehabilitated wild animal, like a bird, after being nursed from injury, and now it is time for the keepers to hold me in their gloved hands, let me go with a shake, and wish me well.
In all the wildlife programs I’ve seen, the bird – or whatever it is – usually amscrays without a look back. I usually look back.
Perhaps this is ordinary post-holiday wistfulness; perhaps most of us return from holidays with a car full of clothes that need washing, bellies that are a little fatter, and a mental space that is arguably as frazzled as the day you left.
So when we pulled up in the car the other day, I kept close watch on my feelings as we entered the house. It had been over five weeks since I left. That is a fair time away. I could survey the scene with a fair amount of objectivity. I walked around and was pretty brutal: I realised I loathe our tiles just as much as my husband does, because they are nearly all cracked. I still love our kitchen counter-tops. I remain ambivalent about our green carpet.
Harshest of all, I went to my clothes drawers and tipped them out, and went through them as viciously as a stylist on a makeover show. I filled up three bags, without so much as trying on the outfits to allow them one last defence. Most of them wouldn’t have fit, anyway, and that would have just made me more depressed.
And with less than 48 hours before my husband goes back to work, the house and I remain at impasse. Which is a shame, for we need a good relationship.
At least I do, with it, to stay sane.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting perspective. I tend to have an opposite experience – mainly about being in MY OWN BED.
I renew a relationship when I return home (and hey, I hate the lino in our kitchen too!!)
I also have the cure for the clothes purge. Have to pack for more than 3 days and realise you don’t have 3 outfits!!!
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Hmmm interesting. So I guess the question is, what are you going to do about the house? Is it so drastic that a new house is required? Is that even an option?
Good job on the clothes purge. If you stop to think about it, nothing gets thrown our. I hope you’re not running around naked now
Tracey’s last blog post..Friday night dot points
I get a bit like that too when I get home from holidays…. full of wistful ‘if only’s and BIG plans that I know will never happen because the house sucks me back into the boring every day…. *sigh*… it sounds much more horrible than it is!
Hope you come to some agreement with the house
Good on you! I am inspired to attack my wardrobe first thing tomorrow. I now what you mean about the house. I feel an odd ambivalence toward my house at the moment as well. But check your Feng Shui, seriously! Maybe all you need is a shuffle of furniture and a few windows sparkled up. I recently washed the windows and reorganised the lounge room and I am feeling much better.
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i use to feeljust like this and still do sometimes, thats why i painted, and retiled and re styled almost every room in our tiny house. and it was cheap too. sales time is now! learn to do it all at the local bunnings and its sooo much better when u look at it and say look what i did. my fave store is ikea, my fave site ikeahacker.com so many ideas never enough hours in the day.
I have the burning desire to redo so much of my house. Some just by painting. Some by getting rid of furniture I don’t love. A lot by just pitching “stuff”. Maybe I’ll start by clearing out my closet…
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