Very interesting and great ideas. I wonder what the split is of people lying about weekend plans between (a) wanting to sound more interesting/active and (b) wanting to get out of doing something they don't fancy doing ("oh, sorry, I can't make that as I have plans already"). I've definitely done (b)!
Great piece. I love my gym classes on a Saturday and Sunday morning at 9am. Not just for the exercise more that I get to hang out with a varied and lovely bunch of people. Sometimes we go for coffee after, sometimes not, but I know that if I don't see anyone else that day I will have had my human fix.
I think underlining this piece is something I’ve always thought about living in London - everyone is just so busy doing their own thing particularly, as you say, once you hit your 30s. London’s geography alone makes it a huge effort to get everyone together, it certainly ain’t happening spontaneously. I’m from the North-West originally where I was accustomed to friends, neighbours, family just popping in, unannounced, on the way past. My southern friends balk at this idea! My sister lives in Spain and her life is centred around community, there is an ex-pat solidarity, sometimes I envy this. I love london’s anonymity, privacy and there is always something to do here, but I know personally that living in this city has made me a more closed off person and I hate to admit that!
Gosh Francesca... this really feels like a crystal ball for me. My partner and I (both early thirties) have been living abroad for the last 3ish years but are planning on coming back to England more permanently next year. Our current weekend routine is very similar to the one you had in Spain (except with Vietnamese beers and grilled oysters instead of a happy hour), and I’d been feeling some low-key anxiety about how that will change when we come back. It’s really reassuring to see someone further ahead in the transition and that spontaneous plans can still be possible!
Very interesting and great ideas. I wonder what the split is of people lying about weekend plans between (a) wanting to sound more interesting/active and (b) wanting to get out of doing something they don't fancy doing ("oh, sorry, I can't make that as I have plans already"). I've definitely done (b)!
Great piece. I love my gym classes on a Saturday and Sunday morning at 9am. Not just for the exercise more that I get to hang out with a varied and lovely bunch of people. Sometimes we go for coffee after, sometimes not, but I know that if I don't see anyone else that day I will have had my human fix.
Really identified with this post 😊
I think underlining this piece is something I’ve always thought about living in London - everyone is just so busy doing their own thing particularly, as you say, once you hit your 30s. London’s geography alone makes it a huge effort to get everyone together, it certainly ain’t happening spontaneously. I’m from the North-West originally where I was accustomed to friends, neighbours, family just popping in, unannounced, on the way past. My southern friends balk at this idea! My sister lives in Spain and her life is centred around community, there is an ex-pat solidarity, sometimes I envy this. I love london’s anonymity, privacy and there is always something to do here, but I know personally that living in this city has made me a more closed off person and I hate to admit that!
Gosh Francesca... this really feels like a crystal ball for me. My partner and I (both early thirties) have been living abroad for the last 3ish years but are planning on coming back to England more permanently next year. Our current weekend routine is very similar to the one you had in Spain (except with Vietnamese beers and grilled oysters instead of a happy hour), and I’d been feeling some low-key anxiety about how that will change when we come back. It’s really reassuring to see someone further ahead in the transition and that spontaneous plans can still be possible!