Not necessarily not interacting with others just…time without other obligations. Time which is exclusively mine to do with what I want. Not working. Chores done (or at least the ones that need doing). Kids in bed. Finished for the day.

Whether that’s alone or with a partner or with friends doesn’t matter. What matters is, I’m in charge of the time, and anybody around me is on my wavelength.

I’m an introvert and a homebody, tho, so most of the time it’s gaming, doom-scrolling, wiki-diving, or shit-posting. As long as it brings me joy (so trying less of the doom-scrolling…).

So really I’ve just shifted what I’m doing with that time, and where that time is. Now I’m reading in bed with my partner. She does the same. Not that I don’t like sitting quietly with her (believe me, I love it), but sometimes I just want to sit quietly without her, or anyone or anything in particular…ya know?