“Instead of saying ‘I don’t have time,’ try saying ‘it’s not a priority,’ and see how that feels. Often, that’s a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don’t want to. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don’t like how we’re spending an hour, we can choose differently.”
― Wall Street Journal
Let me be honest.
Blogging hasn’t been a priority of late. I could say that I don’t have time to write, but it wouldn’t necessarily be true.
Sometimes, Gibbs and I lay on the couch and take a nap.
Sometimes, I spend time with cookbooks and crossword puzzles.
Sometimes, I binge on NCIS or Star Trek episodes that I’ve already seen two or three or six times.
Sometimes…laziness…
Although I actually will be busy this week with appointments, a lunch date, food prep and the usual Thursday wine/food/TV day with Natasha, I had time on Sunday afternoon to make a small, bloodless sacrificial offering unto the blogging altar.
Our weather continues to offer only peeks and pokes of spring-like weather. The weekend was actually beautiful, in the 60’s and 70’s F (@18-23C), sun, blue skies, and, of course, 20 mph (32 kph) winds. If it’s not cold and windy around here, it’s warm and windy. Spring has been sucky in Wisconsin, but I hope the same is not true for you.
On the positive side, Saturday was a good, life-affirming day, winds be damned. I bought potting soil from Wal-Mart and bought yellow Thunbergia and pink Lofos climbing vines (it’s too early to plant, but these go fast at the greenhouse). My plan is to keep them watered when outside and away from Gibbs when inside. Last year, without thinking, I bought begonias and coleus for the main balcony, not realizing they are poisonous to cats until after I planted them. Duh! This year, I’ll have hanging patio boxes that Gibbs cannot get near in order to keep him safe. Little buddy is too precious to favor flowers over his adorable whiskers.
Saturday also included a walk with one of my neighbors, eating lunch outside and a short bike ride around the neighborhood. The latter was excellent mental health therapy and a little something to hold me over until a day when I can go again. My goal was to start biking regularly in April, but that has not seen fruition. May, perhaps.
For me, the “I don’t want to” non-priority of blogging means losing a bit of writing mojo and adding in the alternate choices I make. Winter was long and extended its visit into spring. At times, when I wanted to write, it was to either whine about the cold, crappy spring or vent about a horrible war and laws that hatefully target historical knowledge and specific groups of people. Topics that not everyone wants to read about or has been overwhelmed by, so my choice was to scream in my head rather than write on the internet.
Priorities.
Right now, it’s time to end this post because Gibbs is sadly wanting attention and the last of the laundry won’t finish itself. Plus, it’s NCIS Sunday on Ion TV and there are weights sitting on the kitchen table, tempting me into a better shape than what winter laid down.
Choices. Time.
I have the right to do different.
But I don’t have to iron sheets. Ever.
Mary J Melange 
A great shift
Thanks Beth. I’, hoping the weather shifts too. 🙂
Self love is the best way to prioritize 🙂 Sometimes all we need is to sit back and relax. Enjoy!
Thanks for your encouragement and support, Damyanti. I have an appointment and a few errands to run today and then I’ll relax again. Maybe with a good book…
That dang laundry, slacking off again. I can almost hear Gibbs howling for you to come help him fend off starvation.
You spent a long time focused on other people’s priorities. Now it’s time for yours.
I hope you have a great week, and I hope spring finally kicks winter to the curb in your neck of the woods.
Gibbs is quiet now. He’s on the bed, half sleeping, half watching the window for birdies. It’s like a Star Trek yellow alert status.
Oh spring, where art thou? It is gone again today, but as I said, it’s a busy week coming up. No opportunities to go for a bike ride until Friday, so perhaps it’s for the best that it’s not great outside.
Thanks for the support, Dan. I still don’t know how you manage to blog so regularly, be the door master and write books. Are you bugging MuMu too much? Does she need to relax? ;-p
Happy Monday. Have an awesome week!
MuMu does get annoyed at me when I’m writing. She looks down as if to say, “This spot was quiet before you retired.”
I will move shortly into my Monday Photos-Only phase. And, father the Thursday Doors Writing Challenge ends, I’m taking a week off from doors. I hope you have weather to ride when you have time.
It is going to be in the 40’s here most of this week. Bah humbug. If we can start getting days in the 50’s without howling winds, I will definitely be on the bike, even if it means wearing some winter gear.
#1 make sure that iron is in a closet on the back of a shelf. 🙂 I think blogging has become challenging because our lives dramatically changed because of Covid, the world events, and aging. Boring doesn’t equate to a scintillating blog post in my case at lease. Happy Monday!
Lol, Judy, no worries about that iron. I drag it out very rarely since I no longer press clothes for work and try to pick out clothes that don’t wrinkle. Life’s too short to be standing at a horizontal board with sweat beading up on our foreheads.
Covid and boring is part of the equation. Life is not quite as exciting as it used to be, so there’s not a whole lot to report. In my case, too many stories about a sleeping cat or what I’m eating for lunch would not make for good reading.
Have a wonderful week!
If you don’t wanna, you don’t hafta. This isn’t a job. Write when you have something to say. We’ll all still be here ready to listen when you do.
PS I used to have to iron sheets when I worked as an au pair in London. Years later when one of the kids I ironed sheets for came for a visit, she wouldn’t believe me when I said I used to have to iron her sheets. She also couldn’t believe the pittance I got paid for it.
Your visitor probably thinks of you now every time she washes her sheets. My mom never ironed sheets, so I suppose that was handed down to me. I laughed, though, at a friend years ago when I realized she was ironing her husband’s jockeys and jeans. I thought that a little crazy, but to each their own. I have better things to do!
I’ll be back again, at some point. Blogging depends on my schedule and desire, but also if I have the time to read others’ blogs. It’s only fair and mostly it’s not a job, although I thank you for reminding me about that one. Have a wonderful day, H!
I absolutely understand you on the ‘it doesn’t feel right to post when I haven’t read’ but I’d still love to hear from you even if you don’t have time to read.
Reading your post now. Commenting soon…
You don’t have to, you know.
I’m enjoying the views!
Iron sheets or do nothing? Do nothing for the win! I hear you about toxic plants. I so wish I could add some greenery in the house, but it’s too much checking to make sure the plants and the cats will be compatible. We can all look out the window when we have the urge for green. Kermit knows of what he speaks: it’s not easy being green.
I rarely have any plants in the house, Lois. Over the winter, I had a small gerbera daisy for about six weeks, to have some color. It’s not toxic to cats, but unfortunately, winter and a northern exposure didn’t give it enough sun to survive. Soon, sometime in May, I’ll be planting my annuals and have something to look at from the comfort of the couch. That will be good times!
I feel you! The weather here is crazy. It got to 78 on Saturday but we had gusting winds that could knock over tables and plant stands outside… I loved seeing this in my feed but I can understand. You do what your heart tells you – enjoy your TV marathon and give Gibbs a chin scratch from me!
A friend said last year and most recently, “You do you and I’ll do me,” and although we were talking about our personal Covid protocols, it’s a good reminder to not stress over writing and posting. I welcome yours as well.
Gibbs has been brushed (I’ll tell him it was your idea) and will soon be fed and napping while I go see my hair stylist and pick up a few groceries so I can snack on the couch later.
It’s not just inanimate objects that need to be recharged. We need downtime. When blogging becomes a chore it isn’t fun. I have reached an age where I’m going to do fun whether it’s popular or not. That is my priority and sometimes my priority is an in-depth analysis of the inside of my eyelids.
Lol over your in-depth analysis! I may have to do that this afternoon. You’re correct, Pam. Blogging should never be a chore so I’ll do the fun until it’s by choice that I write again.
Laying on the couch and take a nap with your cat… Watching Star Trek episodes again… Count me in, these are some of my priorities too…
We are soulmates in many regards, Herman. Cats, coffee, Trek, chocolate, naps…
Enjoy your week with Jimi, whatever enjoyable thing it may bring!
Priorities are important! Do what’s more important to you.
Will do! I’m about to go shopping and depending on what I buy, it may be very important to my priorities.
All the best Marry
Hear, hear. I’m finding the same thing. I’m doing things differently this spring because my priorities have subtly shifted and not everything [or everyone] is part of my new approach.
New approaches are good. Shake things up. Get out of the regular and ordinary. It’s what we need to keep going and stay sane, Ally.
Uggh… you just reminded me I ‘want’ to iron. I figure if I iron my cotton pants and tops I won’t have to stop and do it when I want to head out the door. I’m sorry Spring is dragging her butt up there. We are entering rainy season down here but it is not as severe as when we lived in CR. Mixing things up works for me. Yesterday morning I hiked down the hill and back up. This morning I made homemade English muffins and spent 30 minutes peeling and seeding a soursop. But so worth it for smoothies and health benefits. Oh! I’m having trouble replying to comments on Blogger. 🤦♀️Thanks for the comment on the Manatee. Many have scars from motor boats going places they shouldn’t. 😞Sending you sunny thoughts!
Speaking of CR and healthy, I bought a blue zone cookbook and there is a chapter on Nicoya. Need to try the bean soup and baked donuts!
You need to buy no-iron clothes, Cheryl. Life is too short! 🙂
I have two family tidbits for you. My father has been binge watching NCIS all day every day, for the second time through. He’s up to season 11 today. His sister ironed four pillowcases this morning. Gracious, sakes. I think I’d rather lift the weights than do either, hahaha!!
Lol, I think I like your dad! Since I’m retired, most often the NCIS and Star Trek episodes are background noise for me while doing other things, like cooking and lifting weights. And believe it or not, there are a number of other TV programs and movies that I watch as well. 🙂
I totally get Star Trek and NCIS as background noise – the familiarity is comforting. I often have Trek reruns or old movies on (Forest Gump right now) while I am on the computer so I can look up at my favorite parts. I’d be concerned about anyone who irons sheets. I don’t iron anything anymore and stuff my clean sheets inside pillowcases for storage. Most of the wrinkles come out once they are on the bed, if I cared. So many more important things to do, like nap!
I like how you store sheets, JoAnna, and may have to try that. As soon as the weather improves around here, my important thing will be the bicycle and outdoors. It’s so much better than being indoors doing menial tasks. Hope you are having a good weekend!