Stop all the socialising, I want to get off
How many nights out can you take before you break?
I’ve had three nights out since last week. Three! Not since pre-children have I put myself through such a social overdose. And it does feel like an overdose. Introverts famously get their energy from being alone, while extraverts get theirs from other people. I am very much the former and can confirm that I am now broken. I have done all the talking and all the people-ing and now I’m empty.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the nights out. I loved them. Reconnecting with old friends, dancing in my kitchen to Like a Prayer when we got kicked out of the pub (at 45, I feel quite proud of this) and ‘cracking out the vapes’ like they were class A drugs. It was all the spectacular sort of fun that I don’t have when I’m at home watching murder documentaries and falling asleep on the sofa.
But there is a limit. My Friday night finished at 1.30am and then my kids woke me up at 5am. With no co-parent to sub in, this almost killed me. I thanked the Gods that a party straggler stayed over when she couldn’t face the schlep home. It was her that was playing Snakes and Ladders with my four-year-old at 8am instead of me and for that, I am eternally grateful.
While I was clearing up the detritus from the party, I saw my sober friend’s almost-empty mug of green tea sitting on the kitchen island and I have never agreed with her life choices more vehemently. She was dancing to Madonna as happily as the rest of us, and yet she was probably up doing hot yoga or something while I was stuck in a loop of existential dread, parental guilt and hangxiety for the rest of the day.
So, I’m ready for at least two weeks of blissful hermitdom (gosh, that could almost be my actual name). Coffees yes, cocktails no. I shall be in bed by 10pm every night and will be communicating strictly by voice note, text (and newsletter). I’ll see you on the other side.
HOME COMFORTS WITH… NINA ZENOVYA
Nina is a half-Punjabi, part-Ukranian, self-taught private chef with some rather high-end clients (like, ahem the actual King of England). Her Instagram page is a thing of beauty – full of colour, summer vibes and delicious food. I spotted the strawberry and tomato gazpacho on there earlier and wished I could magic it out of my phone.
Where do you live and how long have you lived there for?
Quite unconventionally, I live with my parents, back in the home where I grew up in, in Maidenhead. I moved back here just before Covid, as I was travelling a lot for work and wanted to take a bit of time out to consider my options. I thought it would be temporary but I’m still here, now with my fiancée!
Your favourite thing about the house and your biggest niggle about it?
I love the deck, overlooking the garden. And it has a lot of warmth. It is truly a home; everyone is welcome here. My biggest niggle is that it hasn’t really been updated for about 15 years, so I live in my parents’ taste. That is about to change though as we are about to renovate (but still all stay together).
Best home comfort meal?
I love my mum's keema and rice with raita. The all-time best. Otherwise, it's got to be a whole chicken on the BBQ with a crisp green salad and vinaigrette.
Top hosting tip?
Prepare dishes that are ready in advance to stop you fussing at the time. AND remember not everything on the table needs to match – mix up glasses and napkins for fun times.
Best restaurant in London?
SO DIFFICULT. Probably Lita. Eye-watering prices but the food almost brings you to tears.
My garden is….
So pretty and currently full of edible flowers and vegetables grown by my other half.
What’s your current TV obsession?
I’m not very good on television as I rarely get the time. When I do, I like low-key, amusing things – Rob & Romesh Vs on Sky is the current pick when we have a moment. Nothing too taxing.
Book currently on your bedside table?
So many! Just started tucking into Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers. I dip into Eating Out at Home by Jay Rayner and was recently recommended Sum, Forty Tales from the Afterlife by a terribly erudite friend.
Your favourite home from home?
I’m lucky enough to go out to Provence each year to cook for a client. This year will be my fourth year with them; I know the team who run the house, the small towns in the local area and even the market stall holders now. France is so full of nostalgia for me as I spent so much time there on holiday when I was younger.
Follow Nina on Instagram here.
DRINKING STUFF
Christopher’s cordial
I spotted this on Esther Coren’s Instagram when I was at my most hungover and parched on Saturday and I desperately wanted someone to deliver a pint of it straight to my bedside. It’s posh cordial, by Tom Parker Bowles and it just hit the shops this month. Get the gooseberry and lime flavour and top up with sparkling water.
SHOPPING STUFF
M&S trousers
Oh God I know, I’m back at M&S. Look at these trousers tho? And they come in different lengths. Easy breezy.
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M&S Shorts
Pretty much the shorts version of the trousers. Snapped them up, too.
TV STUFF
Too Much
Lena Dunham’s new show, Too Much is out on July 10th and I’m beside myself. Imagine if it’s as good as Girls? Gah! Here’s the trailer. It’s billed as an ‘expat romcom for the disillusioned.’ Sign me up.
Ok, I’m off to start #hermitlife. Remember (because friends have said I’m not clear enough about this) I alternate between free and paid posts, so to read next week’s Nesting you’ll need to upgrade. Thanking you!
Dx
P.S
🩴These are nice aren’t they? Very ‘I’ve been on holiday in the Balearics,’ but in a good way.
🏠 Anyone looking for a nice country pile? India Knight is selling hers.
🍷 I’m SO over having to wash all my wine glasses by hand, so I’m planning to invest in short stem ones that I can throw in the dishwasher instead. These ones are a massive bargain.