Things I Don’t Do

/ khays41

There are just things I don’t do.  I think once I realized that it was perfectly fine not to enjoy some things, my life became more joyful.

I used to feel guilty when I said yes to things I didn’t enjoy and guilty when I said no. Basically, I was feeling guilty all the time.   That feeling had to end.  Guilt can suck the life out of me like a teacher sucks the life out of a Dr. Pepper on a Friday of a four day week (because we all know that 4 day weeks are the longest. weeks. EVER).

So when I gave up doing things that made me feel guilty, I could actually do the things that I enjoy doing.

I don’t do outside of school staff functions.  When my kids were younger and in day care, I couldn’t bear leave them with a sitter at night as well.  As my kids grew, we were busy doing their things at night.  Now?  I have to recharge.  Recharging for me is spending time with my family, a book or one of my current Netflix addictions.

I don’t do church committees. I have tried and they are not for me.

I don’t finish books. If I read 25 or 50 or even 100 pages and I am not captivated by the book, I just check it back in. I used to think if I started a book, I had to finish it. Turns out there is no law that says I must finish a book.  Life is too short to read bad books.

I don’t run.  I know plenty of people who are enamored with the high that running gives them.  Fortunately, I came to my senses early on about this one.  I don’t really enjoy all my parts shaking their groove things in different directions.  Also, running was never easy for me.  I had to be taught to run when I was 8 years old.

I don’t eat off brand meat.  By off brand meat, I mean deer, pheasant, quail, buffalo, goose, or duck. I have eaten all of those things in my lifetime and some of them, like pheasant, I actually liked.  I don’t like them enough to burn calories on them.

I don’t spend time with people who suck my energy.  This was a tough one.  When I realized that I had been teaching my kids to spend time with people who made them better people and I wasn’t walking that walk…OUCH.  This one took a lot of time to work through.  I had to say ‘no thank you’ to invitations, shift friend groups, join activities that did make me a better person–none of those things happened overnight.

None of these things happened overnight.  I had to dig deep and find what worked for me.  Just sayin’.

 

 

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7 thoughts on “Things I Don’t Do”

  1. What an empowering piece! Yes, the four-day weeks are the longest. It is nice that you have put guilt aside and claimed your life and all the surrounding positive influences. Yes, recharging is key! Enjoy the time with your family! Wishing you a good Spring term.

  2. I agree, this piece really makes you think. Why should we do things that we don’t have to do just to keep others happy. It is time to start doing what is best for you and your family. What a good reminder of this.

  4. I think one of the hardest things we humans have to learn is to say no to the things we do not want to do. And I don’t mean everything, let’s face it, no one wants to clean a bathroom but they need to be cleaned by somebody! What I mean is exactly what you posted about, making personal choices for personal reasons. Your post is empowering and very well written! Thank you.

  6. You must be Catholic! That’s inbred in us. What a great attitude you have to break free. I have yoga pants and running shoes because they look cool…..don’t do either. 🙂

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