PAVEMENTS, PYJAMAS, AND PERMANENT ADDRESSES

enerally, I shy away from commenting on what people choose to wear. Personal expression is something I hold sacred; I’m a firm believer that you should be yourself and feel free to express your identity however you see fit. However, there is one boundary I simply cannot ignore.

It’s a habit that has bugged me for years—one that likely started further back than I realise, yet it still grates. I’m talking about wearing nightwear outdoors. To be clear, I’m not criticising a quick trip to the bins in a dressing gown or lounging in your garden. But heading to the shops—or the pavement—in full pyjamas? That is where I draw the line.

There is a couple I see regularly when I’m out with Magnus on our night walk. They’ll be out walking their own dog in full nightwear and slippers. Even under the cover of darkness, how is that right?

I might get roasted for this, but it’s a hill I’m prepared to die on.

Earlier this year, we lost our long-standing next-door neighbours when they moved on to a new place. Kat and Dave were in a similar position to the one we were in when we first moved here; it’s been a privilege to witness a young family grow and develop. However, their landlord was selling up, and they had to find a new home. The new owner is friendly enough—we’ve chatted over the fence many times—but like the previous owner, he doesn't intend to live there. He’ll be renting it out shortly, which makes me very apprehensive.

I have a real issue with landlords buying up the lower end of the housing market. It strips away affordable housing and traps people in the cycle of expensive private rentals. Of course, the solution is more social and council housing, but since Thatcher sold off the housing stock and prevented councils from rebuilding, the road back feels impossible—especially in an age where home ownership is framed as the ultimate, mandatory target. My grandparents never owned a house; they never felt the need to.

So, we wait to see who comes to live alongside us. I'm not sure who the "ideal" would even be. What truly makes a good neighbour?

The spirit of the Urban Viking—and the occasional absurdity of navigating the modern world—lives on in my webcomic, Northman. 

You can read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

I’ll be sharing more of my journey and the daily reality of staying grounded in the modern world over on social media. Join in:

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