The thing I'm the most grateful for about modern life is thanks to technology, one rarely has to leave their home if they don't want too and still be able to live a comfortable, full life. Of course if modern life didn't bring about more crime, accidents, danger, lunatics and high gasoline prices in the first place, we probably wouldn't feel the need to stay inside! Twenty years ago, parents encouraged their kids to go out more. Now it's the opposite! I know that my ex-girlfriend and I rarely left our cozy cocoon.
Other than work (and and even that is changing), health care and travel, most people can enjoy the comfort and safety of their own home without having to leave it and be quite fulfilled. You can buy almost anything you need online and at cheaper prices then you would in a store and don't have to deal with the hassle of crowds, bad service, spending a fortune on gas, etc. You can have excellent food and groceries delivered to you without having to go out, books, CDs, clothes. DVDs, virtually anything. Of course, if the atmosphere of a good restaurant is important to you or their food isn't available for delivery, you might want to go out on occasion.
I rarely go to movies as I can watch them on DVDs rented online from Netflix, view them on my big screen HDTV, listen in great 7.1 surround sound on my Home Theater System without paying $10 a ticket, $12 for popcorn and oversized soda, listening to babies cry, cell phones ringing, teenagers misbehaving, waiting on line, etc. Oh yeah, I forgot the price of gas! Of course, if a movie sounds so awesome that I need to see it before the DVD comes out, I'll see it in a movie theater but that happens rarely. Same thing with sports events. I'd rather see sports in beautiful HDTV with replays, no crowd obstruction, not paying a fortune for tickets, transportation and food, not standing in line to use the bathroom and not having beer thrown on me from the upper deck!
No need to pay and join a Health Club as I can work out at home with my Bowflex home gym which pays for itself in the money I've saved. I can run on a treadmill and not on a track. I can play basketball on the court I have in my home- of course that is technically going outside!
With health insurance, I can have any prescriptions sent to my home at a much cheaper price than if I had to go to a pharmacy and wouldn't have to waste my time waiting for service as well.
As far as meeting someone to date, one can initially be introduced to a potential date through online dating so you don't necessarily have to go bar hopping, go to dances, social functions, etc., to meet someone but chances are at least initially you'll want to go to a nice place for a first date.
In regards to work, there are jobs that will let you work at home using your computer and you can also start your own e-commerce business from home as well. As an example, I've listed my E-Commerce businesses selling HDTV's and Home Theater and Books, below. Feel free to shop!
Of course if you just enjoy being around people and feel that outweighs the comfort and security of your own home, be my guest. Me personally, there's nothing better than cocooning at home with that special someone and family.