The circle of (modern sedentary) life.

Occasionally you come across a trend or opinion piece to which the only appropriate reaction is, “Umm, I think that’s just you.” Getting to judge fancy writers for fabricating a societal trend out of personal experience can be fun and satisfying.

Here’s one: The Times Magazine, “Is Staying In the New Going Out?”.

In it, the author suggests that with all the great technology available to us, from on-demand entertainment to one-click food delivery to right-swipe dating…

…Food, entertainment, romance: The traditional weekend staples are now available entirely on demand. The centripetal force of our homes has never been stronger…

We have memes about staying in (“Netflix and chill”) and phrases like “binge watch,” which suggest pathologically homebound behavior. We no longer dismiss the urge to remain warm, hidden, fed, cushioned and entertained indoors as a lamentable womblike regression.

Though if we were to use actual data, one could reasonably assume that staying in vs going out is a function of some combination of:

1. Aging – having less energy, settling into a comfortable routine, having more obligations and therefore less free time.
2. Relationship status – Not being single, and therefore less pressured to go out to meet potential love interests, or even having a reliable social circle and seeking fewer new friends.
3. Temperament – Being the kind of person that was never that into going out in the first place, and therefore feeling less pressure to do so with each passing year just to impress others.
4. Financial situation – Not having a lot of money to spend on restaurants, shows, Uber/cab fare, bar-priced drinks, and so choosing to stay in out of necessity.

For any given person not still in college, the statement is probably true that “I go out less than I used to” or alternately “I go out less than I’d like to”. I’m just super skeptical that it’s directly related to the rise of mobile apps or streaming services. What do you think?

Do you go out less than you used to? Or less than you’d like to?

What are the reasons behind your growing urge (or tendency) to stay in?

If you feel bad about it? How might you combat it?
If you’re embracing it, why don’t you feel bad about it?