Want to be on a committee at school? Sure! Want to meet up tonight for dinner? Absolutely! Want to go to a meeting/volunteer/do something you have ABSOLUTELY NO TIME to do? Definitely, yes!
I am a believer in the word yes.
Maybe this is because I don't like to miss out on anything. Maybe it's my perfectionistic tendencies to want to do more, be better, try harder. Maybe it's because I am very, very bad with idle time. Regardless, I say yes. All. Too. Often.
Tonight, I feel guilty. Why, you might ask, do I feel guilty? Because instead of staying at school tonight to go to Poms practice (from 6:30-8:30 p.m.), I came home so that I could finish my freelance article (which, I did, about 12 minutes ago) and catch up on the massive stacks of grading and laundry next to me. That's right, people, I feel GUILTY about coming home so I could get more work done. Okay, maybe really I feel guilty because I can do that other work while sitting on the couch. Either way, guilt is guilt.
Why is it that we as humans push ourselves so hard that we feel guilty when we decide we want one night at home during the week? Or is this just me?
Literally, tonight will be the only night I am home before 8 p.m. And yet, there is 30% of me thinking maybe I should get in the car and go back to school for practice (I'm not, you see, because I'm lazy.).
Some people make the New Year's resolution to say yes -- say yes to new ideas, new places, new opportunities. I think my new mantra is going to be to say no. I won't say no to the things I love, the things I want to do, the things that make me, me, but I WILL say no to those superfluous things that I don't need to be committing too.
And now, I'm going to watch frivolous television while I grade papers and make a fast, easy dinner. Ahhhh. Better already.
P.S. Happy Birthday, E!
P.S. Happy Birthday, E!
I've had that problem most of my life (not being able to say no) but as I age I get better. It's good to help out but you also have to take care of yourself. You've been training hard & lots of other things going on & you need a break. Sometimes you just need to be there for yourself :) Don't feel guilty - you deserve some time - to sit on the couch, watch TV, or, just do nothing - it's OK. Keep up the good work!!!
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