So I went to ask off for a day next week and realized I’m
maxed on vacation, so on top of the one day next week, I’m also taking this
Friday off and an entire week in February. All of these days off are by myself. Does that
seem excessive? I have no plans, although there are a lot of things I feel like
I should do. I don’t know if it’s a woman v man thing or just a me v my husband
thing, but if C was to have the day off to himself, he would play video games
all day. This is not an exaggeration, and it’s not a judgment of him either – I
don’t mind that he plays video games (except when I walk in and have to ask him
if he’s in battle or how long until I can get more than grunted answers from
him).
It’s more a judgment of me. When I’m off, I feel like I
should be cleaning the house, doing laundry, cleaning out the garage, scrubbing
showers. Why do I do these things to myself?
So anyhow. I’m trying to decide what to do with myself
for these days off. I might go see a movie by myself (would you see Joy? The
Big Short?) or spend some of our Macy’s credit on a new wallet. Go for a very
long walk and not worry about time (if it warms up). Buy cat food (darn it,
adding in errands again).
On the first day of my week-long vacation it is Spencer’s
birthday, and while he’s going to be going to school I think I might take him
McDonald’s and have lunch with him (I’ve never done this before and it feels
daunting somehow) but the rest of the week is completely free. Should I
volunteer at the school? Get a massage? Make a chiro appointment/dentist
appointment/dermatology appointment?
I’m not good at downtime or free time or time for me. Someone
come spend time with me not doing errands. Please.
3 comments:
I think one thing that I am grateful for is that I have learned to be very good at balancing productive time with down time, in situations like this. I give myself one or two (depending on how involved they are) productive tasks for the day and then I allow myself to play the rest of the time. Being a classic introvert, I enjoy sitting in the quiet and reading for a while. Or catching up on one of my shows on the DVR. Or I wander over to WDW for a while, which is such a totally different experience by myself. I might take myself to lunch. Or cook myself something that T doesn't like. Really, the possibilities are endless -- and that is often my downfall: trying to decide which thing to do!
Don't go to the dentist, April. That's all I ask. I know it's a responsible thing, but don't go to the dentist on your well-deserved time off! :)
If you feel like you NEED to do something productive, pick one thing to do on one or two days. But in the end, you'll be better off for having some relaxation and me time. Is there someone you'd like to have lunch with that it's too hard while you're both working? Is there a museum, store, whatever that *You* want to see? GO! And be sure to nap if you can. Because naps are the best thing in the universe (says me, perpetually needing sleep for 20+ years now.).
That's my advice fwiw...
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