OK, the title is a bit over-dramatic. But there has been a lot of soul-searching amongst some members of the Novel Racers group recently. Including me.So, in the last three days I have made some decisions to try to simplify my life. On Tuesday, at the committee meeting, I told my colleagues that I intend to stand down as treasurer of the voluntary group in November. I am happy to stay involved, but I want the time I give to be on my own terms, rather than dictated by others which it has been in recent years. After all, it is unpaid voluntary work, it shouldn't require so much input.
Today I have just cancelled my gym membership. Not because I don't like going, but my gym is a 15-20 minute drive from home and a visit there for a yoga class or swim, plus a coffee and a browse around the adjoining shops easily takes the best part of half a day. For cost reasons I only had off-peak membership, but couldn't get there at all in school holidays. Even going twice a week in term-time, the fee was barely cost effective and right now I don't think I have time to go that often. I need to be around to taxi son 1 to appointments and of course, Iwant to study and write. I'm not Superwoman.
So, I've freed up more time to write. I won't give up yoga entirely, as it does help my bad back. I will try to do it seriously at home and later perhaps look around for a suitable more local class. I've been doing it long enough to practice safely at home, I think. In the eighteen months since son 1 became very ill, I have got out of the habit of doing organised exercise anyway. I can walk. I can use our new crosstrainer if I feel like it. I might even join the low-key exercise club my friend attends, which is just down the road. Life moves on.
Anyway, if you will excuse me, I am off to Amazon to order some yoga DVDs...
Three notable things:
1. Making pressure-reducing decisions to allow myself more time to write and study.
2. Reading almost half of 'The End of the Affair' while son 1 was in an appointment this morning.
3. Feeling very sad watching the current events in Burma, yet so glad that the internet is enabling the world to see the sort of atrocities which are perpetrated to suppress free speech there.
Image by Free-StockPhotos.com
8 comments:
Isn't it great having a sort out, clearing the decks, and so on. Especially if it makes more time for the things you want to do.
That's really great news, Cathy - good on you!!!
A
xxx
Hope I'm not repeating this because the last comment I typed wouldn't publish!
Yoga. A bit too strenuous for me. My gym membership is costing me far too much, money which could be far better spent.
Crystal xx
Well done for scaling back and making more 'you' time.
xx
I agree, we need to declutter our lives as well as our wardrobes. Forget trying to be superwoman.
Some classes are really helpful, but half a day of valuable time - sounds a waste. My last Pilates group was no good, I pushed myself to get there each week but ended up doing my back in during some badly-timed manoeuvre! Ah well, I'm better off practising alone with a DVD, definitely.
What an excellent idea Cathy. I made a similar decision when I decided to cut back on my cake making business, and after getting (needlessly) stressed this week because of a cake I had to make I know I've made the right decision.
Well done for positivly acting instead of just thinking!
I bet you feel great after making decisions like those.
Sometimes it takes one ages to decide but once done,there's a marvellous feeling ..
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