Why am I suddenly not inviting anyone over to my place? From what Ive seen, it just makes more sense now.
Ive recently decided Im not having guests at home any more. And no, it isnt because Im trying to save a few quid I live in a semidetached house in Manchester, Ive got a decent garden, a proper oven and enough dishes to set a table.
So, let me tell you why Ive put an end to these visits. The biggest culprit is the endless time spent cooking for people and then the cleanup afterwards.
Dont get me wrong, Im a decent cook and I love it, but Im not keen on spending half the day hunched over the hob just to keep everyone happy. For Jack and my wife, Ill still go the extra mile, but for friends or relatives I just dont want to waste that energy. When they turn up, Im forced to turn the kitchen into a warzone for a few hours, and it drives me nuts seeing everyone else relax and have a laugh while Im stuck stirring sauces. Of course they dont pitch in theyre there to unwind, not to help. Then, once theyve left, Im still stuck picking up after them for a good while.
I even try to tidy up while theyre still there, but it never really works. They dont leave piles of rubbish or candy wrappers all over the floor, and the house doesnt look like a dump when theyre gone. The real problem is the chaos they create: furniture gets shuffled around, toys are scattered everywhere, the duvet needs changing, and there are stains on the tablecloth and curtains from the kids. Ive had a little one knock a vase off the windowsill we ended up scooping soil, washing the floor and replanting the flower. Sometimes they even manage to jam door handles or break a lock.
Thats the kids for you. You cant babysit every little troublemaker, and you cant really scold someone elses child when their parents are busy chatting with other guests.
So Im not just cooking; Im also playing janitor for the whole house.
Guests also love poking around your personal life. If I know relatives are coming, Ill skip doing the laundry (yes, even the underwear) and stash anything I dont want seen in cupboards. Yet theyll still ask to open the closet and see whats inside. Some will even sniff around the kitchen like its a crime scene, which feels like a massive invasion of privacy. My flat is tiny, packed with furniture and a few vases, plus a bunch of hanging plants that strangers keep plucking a stem from to take home.
I used to wonder if maybe it was me that Im just a terrible host. But after counting how many people have come over, I realised Ive simply run out of steam to cook, clean and keep my head above water. Id rather meet you for a coffee somewhere, go for a stroll, and get back to a tidy house.
So thats why Ive turned my back on having guests at my place. Its lighter, less stressful and I actually get to enjoy my own home again.
