Following Spo's Lead on Not Being Busy

     I read one of my favorite bloggers post Monday morning and it home-really hit home-with me. Over at Spo-Reflections, his piece, in his witty and non-judgmental way, wrote about the virtues of not being busy. I thought about it and decided I want to stop wearing the "so busy" badge at all times as well. Now that the party is done, my youngest is leaving the nest, undoubtable, I will have more time on my hands. Time I can spend loading up the calendar, the project list, and trying to fill the formerly mother filled moments with random commitments and other business. Attentively, I could also read for fun more, take slow and untimed to any clock walks, take naps, and generally, slow down. 

     At the cabin on Sunday, my super annoyingly judgmental sister-in-law asked how the book and  recipe blog was going. I felt the condescending tone and her real reason in bringing it up was to confirm her doubts that I'd ever finish either project. I honestly said both are going slow because I haven't spent much if any time on either. I added come fall, I'll have more time on my hands and will probably be more focused again. She laughed in her very deprecating way she does, "Oh everyone told me I'd have so much time after T went to college, but I'm just as busy as always." Both me and my older daughter commented more or less that it is matter of where to prioritize. Her response, was, "Well, I guess I just know too many people." I try to let remarks like hers slide off my back-she doesn't think anyone works as hard, is as cunning and intelligent as she is, or cultivates as much opportunity as she creates for herself. And for what? So she can find fault with everyone else's choices, while verbally touting a "live and let live" fake message? No thank you. The next time she brings anything up about what I or DH might be doing, because of course it won't be as important, fulfilling, or successful as what she is doing, I might out right respond, "Nothing." 

     Catty talk about my sister-in-law aside, I do wonder why I have always felt compelled to keep my plate so full, so busy? Do I feel like working full tome and raising kids wasn't enough? Do I feel guilty that I've had a relatively easy life in comparison to most people in the world, and feel like I need to pay my dues in numerous ways? Do I take on more and more because then I feel like I appreciate the down times the vacation of life more? Whatever my subconscious motivation, it if a fine time to stop putting  having a full and busy calendar as worthy of any pride. I suppose on one hand, it means I have a vibrant social circle and people want me around. But then I think about who  I enjoy spending time with the most, and that I really am not making enough time for them-which is silly. So there you have it. I'm going to pursue the worthiness of doing less, having more space, and generally embracing what life could be like without being run by a calendar.