If one more person tells me they are not coming by this month (the monthly church visitors included), not calling me to make a meal for a neighbor or not inviting me to do something because "It's the holidays, and I know how stressed and busy you are...." I might just have to stop biting my tongue.
I am not stressed in the least about the holidays this year, and I am certainly not busy. On top of that, I'd like to make my own decisions - if I sign up to bring someone food, it's because I think I can handle it. If not, I will tell you. It's one of the best things I learned from my 9-month anxiety/depression saga after Woodstock's birth. I've stopped feeling guilty about some things. Right? Wrong? Doesn't matter - I haven't had a panic attack in months.
Do I get everything accomplished every day? No. Do I have laundry sorted in the basement but not washed? Laundry washed but not put away entirely? A bathroom that needs cleaning? Picking up after Woodstock to do? Of course. It doesn't mean I'm too busy. At the moment, what it means is that I've a)completely lost the desire to do it that day b) have chosen to spend time with people rather than things c)I didn't sleep well (that would have been yesterday's excuse) or d) have totally mis-prioritized, in which case it is my fault I'm insane, not yours.
Since I've opted to DRASTICALLY simplify my life this season, I'm not busy. Instead, I'm enjoying myself (as long as I don't look too closely at the clutter that needs sorting). Don't get me wrong - I like staying home in the evenings, snuggling with Woodstock and, occasionally, Himself (who doesn't like to snuggle so much). I am just irritated.
Now, if that person herself (or himself) is busy, fine. I can understand that. Been there. Done that. Trying to reform. But rather than using me as an excuse, just let me know what's going on. "I'm so busy/stressed/over committed this holiday, do you mind if I skip December?" I would likely say, "Nope. Anything I can do to help you out?" And for crying out loud, don't tell me you're doing something, but not going to invite me because "I know how busy you are." That just says "I'm doing X, but you're not invited, and I want you to know that." And that is just rude.
Don't tell me you're saving me from myself. Let me decide that all on my own.
And ... if you want to bake cookies on Saturday ... well, I'm baking and I'd rather not eat them all myself.
1 comment:
That's really lame. It's like when people try to get off the phone with you by saying, "Well, I'll let you go now, you probably need to..." when really they just want off the phone. Not that I do that.
But I'll cut this comment short, I know you're busy and I don't want to keep you on here too long... ;)
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