It’s for your own well-being. There’s just times when
you have to say, “No, I can’t do that today, I’ve
already made plans.”
It’s always nice to keep those grandkids or be able to
run errands for this person or that. Just plain
helping someone out. But, don’t you find that
sometimes you’re doing and going for everybody but
yourself?
I don’t believe everyone (or at least most)
intentionally are trying to take advantage of you,
it’s just that you are always THERE to do for others
and you seem to make it easy for them to ask, (you
know the sound, “Mom, I’ve got to go shopping, can you
keep the kids for a few hours, Mom, going away for the
week-end, can you keep the kids (etc.!)? or “Mrs. ???,
I’ve got a lot of errands to run today, would you mind
so much taking me in you car? How about, “We need a
volunteer to handle the church bake sale, will you do
it?”) I could go on and on, but I think you get what
I’m talking about!
So, try to set aside a little time just for yourself!
Even if it’s an hour or two a couple of times a week.
(a whole day would be even better) Have lunch with the
girls, go shopping by yourself, have your hair and
nails done, try reading a book! Join a bowling
league, play golf or tennis. Maybe even take some
classes of some kind, art maybe, writing, cooking? The
list is endless of the things you can come up with!
Isn’t that what these “Empty Nest “ years are suppose
to be about? Having more time to do the things you’ve
been wanting to do?
If you have a spouse, take some short week-ends just
for the two of you! Get to know each other again, (get
to know yourself again!) just have some fun with each
other. The rest of the world can manage to get along
without you for a little while.
Now, the next time you’ve just made special plans of
your own and someone calls to ask you to do something
for them, (with the exception of a REAL emergency!)
don’t feel guilty about telling them that you already
have plans!
Remember, it’s for your own well-being! Everyone needs
a little private time now and then. It helps keep you
sane!
So, it’s ok, to be selfish once in a while!
