on the outside mean

[shinem]

It was the sort of day when I’d be sure to mistake
apples and oranges and, if I were on the outside, try to put
my leftovers in the dishwasher and the dirty cups in the
fridge.

In this sentence what does If I were on the outside mean? Does it mean at most?

Thanks.

[English Freak]

If I'm not mistaken, I guess it means "If I were busy / involved in an activity".
To be confirmed by native English speakers.

[Raymott]

It was the sort of day when I’d be sure to mistake
apples and oranges and, if I were on the outside, try to put
my leftovers in the dishwasher and the dirty cups in the
fridge.

In this sentence what does If I were on the outside mean? Does it mean at most?

Thanks.

I've never heard of it. Did a native speaker write it?

[bhaisahab]

It was the sort of day when I’d be sure to mistake
apples and oranges and, if I were on the outside, try to put
my leftovers in the dishwasher and the dirty cups in the
fridge.

In this sentence what does If I were on the outside mean? Does it mean at most?

Thanks.

Is the speaker in prison or in an institution of some kind?

[shinem]

This is from a book written by an native speaker and I'm translating it. The speaker is in a hospital who has an illness of loosing memory and confusing everything.

So here as you say it can be the meaning of at most or at outside?

[5jj]

It means 'if I were out of this hospital - if I were back in the real world'.

[shinem]

I got it, thank you very much!