The reasoning behind her advice was subtle yet powerful. Flipping on the lights immediately can signal your arrival to anyone watching from outside—revealing not just a home, but a moment of vulnerability. For houses and apartments facing the street, that sudden glow can unintentionally disclose where you’ve gone, and when.
Mary Alice explained that this awareness came from her own experience.
One evening, while walking home, she felt uneasy. Not threatened—just observed. It was the kind of discomfort you can’t quite explain, but can’t dismiss either. When she stepped inside, she hesitated. Instead of flooding the room with light, she remained still, letting the exterior stay dark. From the outside, nothing had changed. No signal. No confirmation.
That pause mattered.
