Before I even got out of bed the other morning, I reached for my phone and cancelled lunch plans, a gym date, movie and dinner with a friend and a doctor’s appointment. I also decided I wasn’t going to pick up the dry cleaning, go to the super market, touch a stitch of laundry or buy the three birthday presents we need for parties this weekend.
I just didn’t feel like running all over town.
I didn’t want any of those obligations.
I needed a day of calm.
When I announced my cancellations to my husband, he asked if I was feeling okay.
I love being busy. I think it’s how I operate best. Under pressure, with To Do list in hand, scurrying from here to there, seeking tasks and accomplishments, fitting everyone and everything in.
My family and I are extraordinarily busy and always on the go, but we juggle our multiple stresses with ease (some days more so than others).
“I’m so busy” is a phrase I hear and use too often and I worry… am I glorifying busy?
There’s no medal for the busiest person and it has taken me a long time to realize that my time is valuable and it is okay to say no. I don’t have to be the first one to RSVP yes to an event or volunteer for something I really don’t want to do. And it’s okay to cancel plans.
Even if it’s the day of.
No is a powerful word when you are trying to tame the habit of being busy all the time.
Down time is SO underrated, especially once you have children and having a little free time isn’t a bad thing.
Instead of all the things I had planned to do that day, I took Lola for a long walk, we spent some time at a park and then picked up Lucas from school. The three of us shared an afternoon snack of crackers and cheese and then rushed off to his karate lesson.
We were late.
For me, for you, for everyone:
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Amen to this! It is almost as if we are expected to be busy ALL THE TIME or we aren’t contributing to society. I do well when I have things on my plate too, but I need to learn how to not be busy.
I totally understand. I actually HATE having appointments etc on my schedule, I just want every day to be free flowing (wishful thinking). I’m glad you took time out to just be.
Like you I thrive on being busy. It doesn’t make sense to most people but the more I have to do, the more i get done.