Inspiral Carpets is on the radio. "This is how it feels to be lonely". And I think to myself: Am I lonely? And I conclude with a very positive no.
Up until August last year I worked full time. (Sometimes the work burden made it feel like I had 2 full time jobs, actually!) A busy, but good life. Good friends, good colleagues. All you need, really. And then I took a break from all that to be a housewife in Northern England for a year.
After almost 6 months, I'm still not homesick. And I don't long for work. And I find this very strange. And a bit worrying. Especially considering I have no close friends here in York. It seems I'm not such a social creature I thought I was. (The only thing I miss though, is having a cat around to talk to.)
I'm not a complete recluse though. I volunteer once a week at Helena's school, and meet with other volunteers. A bunch of interesting and friendly mums. And I've joined a book club, where I meet other readers and sometimes talk about books but mostly about other subjects, whilst having cake and wine.
But most of all, I have social media. Not that it can replace meeting up with real friends. But it does fulfill most of my needs to feel in touch with the world. Through Facebook and Twitter I get a glimpse of what's going on in my 'previous' life in Tromsø. And I can share banalities from my own life of housework and Englishness. Through Twitter, I also keep an eye on what's going on in the library world, without giving it too much thought:) I have e-mail contact with some of my friends/colleagues. And I chat (online) regularly with another friend. In other words: My life is not an isolated island, even though I spend most days at home, hoovering, cooking or baking bread.
I do wonder if I would have been equally content with a year like this in an offline world. I sincerely believe the answer would be no. So cheers to Facebook and all the rest! And to my next 6 months in York:-) (Wish it was 6 years instead!)
