It’s been a rough week, personally and professionally, and I don’t have a coherent post in me right now. But I have some thoughts on various things (don’t I always?) so thought I’d share some of the snippets of what’s on my mind…So, one thing I’ve managed to actually get better at with age is admitting when I am wrong. I’m a pretty stubborn person and (to put it mildly) this is something I did not excel at earlier in my life. And yet, as I’ve gotten older, it’s become easier. It’s not that I am any less passionate or stubborn. It’s more that I realize that things change. Or that, um, the story I was telling myself about something isn’t actually what is true.
This happened last weekend, when I was planning to have dinner an hour and a half away with old friends. Old friends who have drifted away over the last 5-6 years due to, well, political disagreements. I’m quite passionate about my politics and beliefs, and to know that these old friends held opposite views was… hard. Really hard. So I was kind of dreading dinner. I felt like a kid having a tantrum, because I just didn’t want to go.
But I did. And you know what? It was really, really good to see them. We didn’t touch politics with a ten-foot pole. We talked about what their kids are up to. We talked about jobs, and life in general, but nothing too, well, sensitive. And it was fine – it was good, even. I’m glad I was able to see them and that I talked myself out of my self-induced tantrum. I’m glad I was wrong about how hideous it was going to be.
Also? You’re stuck with me for a few more years, at least. I renewed my domain this morning for 3 more years, which means I’ll be randomly showing up here to share, well, whatever is on my mind. I’d say you’re welcome, but you might not be thanking me for doing that. 😉 (Seriously, thank you to those who have wandered here and read my ramblings the last few years… it means a lot)
Hm, third thing? Let’s just say the to do list is so out of control right now that I’m kind of ignoring it to write this post. I just needed a bit of me-time this morning. It’s been hard to come by this week, and I needed a bit of normal. This weekend will be another working one, sigh. But I do hope to take a bag of books to the half price book store and make a few bucks back, so that will be kind of fun? I hope your weekend plans involve more fun than mine! Oh, I do have one fun thing – the family Zoom is this afternoon so that will be a nice break before I dive into the weekend and work.
And, it seems winter is on the way. Next week – highs in the low 40s and lows in the 20s. Quite the 180 from a few weeks ago! It seems like it’s been this way the last few years – really warm for longer than we like, then all of a sudden the cold descends and overstays its welcome.
I’m hoping to share something a bit deeper than just these forays into my scattered brain sometime soon. I have a post brewing about conformity, middle school, and why that’s important for me now, when I am … definitely not in middle school. (And good grief I would not go back if you paid me lots of money…)
I hope, wherever you are, you have a wonderful weekend, filled with the things and the people that you love. Thanks again for being here, even when I’m less than coherent and posting rather intermittently.
Do not overlook the little joys! ~Hermann Hesse
I am going through some professional struggles myself, so I really feel this! Good luck getting through it.
Also, congrats on the three-year renewal. It always seems like such a big commitment, doesn’t it?!
Totally agree – for whatever reason, knowing they’ve committed to supporting me for another 3 years puts a lot of pressure on. Here’s hoping I can hold up my end of the bargain. (It would be good if I could get a few stalled projects moving forward instead of standing still…)
And, yes, professional struggles. Ooof. I hate it when they seem to take over my life.
I am sorry you were having a rough week, Anne, but I am glad you just got some random thoughts on paper. Sometimes it’s good to just “write”… not planning the post, but just put down your stream of consciousness.
I am glad you got to see the old friends and had a good time. I feel like it’s hard to keep close relationships that I disagree with politically (esp. in recent years), but I know a couple of people that are otherwise (LOL) lovely human beings and I have just chosen to leave politics out of my interactions with them. Doesn’t mean I accept their point of view , but I can “live and let live”.
I, for one, am thrilled to hear you have renewed your blog domain and will continue sharing here… I’ve been so glad to have met you through the blogosphere.
Hope you’re having a better week.
Thanks so much for the kind words, San. I’ve reached a better place – sort of – and hope to post this week on how a shift in perspective has helped. At least a bit. (I am never, ever going to lose my social or work-related anxiety, so I need to figure out how to deal with them, instead!)
Your point about “live and let live” is well-taken! It’s definitely the lower-conflict approach to these types of relationships. The other challenge is that I have much less in common now vs. 20+ years ago with these particular friends, so it’s more maintenance for historical purposes, if that makes any sense. 😉
Thanks for your kind words about my blog! I hate not being able to write more frequently, but I am so, so grateful for the connections that I have built here. They mean a lot!
I am so glad dinner turned out to be great! I really think most groups of people should just avoid the political discussions. Most don’t actually want to hear another viewpoint, and definitely aren’t in the mood to have their mind changed, so it’s pointless anyway!
I hope your days have gotten better!
You’re absolutely right – politics is definitely something that should stay out of most interactions. I know those people with whom I can have a spirited but civil debate. Unfortunately, there are not many of them left! That said, I avoided politics like the plague during that dinner. Benign topics only!
Days are improving, thank goodness, but still pretty bonkers. Every time I think I make some progress and cross something off, I swear 2 new things pop up! 🙂
I’m sorry it’s been a rough time for you. <3 I hope things start looking up soon!
I totally understand having friends with differing opinions. My issue has been friends who have decided not get vaccinated and I've had such a hard time not spewing my opinion about that! But sometimes it's best to just not touch those topics and find other ways to connect with people. <3
Hooray for three more years! I, for one, am very happy about that!
Things seem to be smoothing out, thank goodness, but I so appreciate all of the support and kind comments I’ve gotten here. I know it’s been hard for a lot of people, so I almost hate to say anything. But when the hard stuff is consuming your entire day, well, sometimes it’s hard to avoid!
Oh, man, the vaccination denial would drive me bonkers. Absolutely bonkers. I have family members I disagree with (and close ones, at that) and that made for some rough times. But as Kim said, now I just try to avoid political discussions with them. Occasionally things will slip out, though, because I just can’t let something slide. (Usually, though, it’s pretty darn bad… so the benefits of speaking out outweigh the need to avoid politics…)
Aww, you’re so sweet. I so appreciate that people read my random, intermittent posts that follow no discernible pattern or template. 🙂 I just love the community that I have found in the blogosphere (and the IG-o-sphere) this year.
I just stared blogging this year, so huge gold stars to everyone that has done it for years and is continuing on. I think it’s a great medium for building a community.
I, for one, love the random posts! They’re very “real” and I think everyone can relate to overwhelming to-do lists and also dreading certain social situations that can, in lovely ways, turn out to be better than we anticipated!
Oh, I’ve only been around on this site for a year or so. Before that, I was hanging out on Blogger, then decided I was annoyed with that and created this site, instead.
Usually my random posts are glimpses inside my mind… which can be scary, sometimes! But you’re right – they’re very “real”, and not much like the sanitized “life is always rainbows and bunnies” “lifestyle” blogs out there. (Those tend to scare me a bit… random posts show the real person behind the screen, in my opinion.)