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I fully believe that quote up there, but three days into college, I told my parents I was pretty sure I’m a workaholic. My dad responded, “There are worse -aholics to be.”
Well, Daddy, that is certainly true.
However, being a workaholic, while not entirely a bad thing, has its drawbacks. For one thing, if I have any work to do, whether it’s due in a two days or a week, I feel like it has to be done – now. This makes me seem incredibly efficient and responsible, but it’s really just a compulsion. Also, it makes me feel like… not a lot of fun.
After a series of scheduling issues I spent the first week of classes trying to resolve, it worked out that I have no classes on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. It sounds like I have a dream schedule (and I’m really very happy with my classes), but for someone with a tendency toward overworking myself, it feels a little less than ideal.
While I’m sure I won’t be hurting for schoolwork to fill my time, I need to make sure I take some breaks and have some fun – and that’s actually kind of tough for me. When there’s work to do, my mode of operation is just to do it.
That said, if I have reading due in a week and someone wants to go grab dinner, I probably need to say yes, because the reading can wait but the memories really won’t. If I really want to bake something for my new friends, I should probably put my calc homework away for an hour or two and head to the kitchen. Sometimes, I might need to realize that it’s okay to stay out late and sleep in a lot the next day if it means taking the opportunity to wear myself out at a party or explore the city.
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Basically, I am generally excellent at doing the responsible thing. But sometimes the technically responsible thing isn’t the absolute best thing. School is important to me and naturally at the top of my priority list, but I’m recognizing that sometimes I need to shift those priorities a little in favor of building relationships, creating memories, and having pure fun.
I’m not so great at letting go and going with the flow, but that’s what I am working on.
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No questions, just your thoughts 🙂
Well said. I think the fact that you recognize all of this after one week of college classes bodes well for your eventual ability to manage it effectively and achieve some much needed balance. Good luck with that.
Thanks, Daddy. You’re the best.
You need to read this book: A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough. It will help you learn to say to yourself that you’ve done enough for the day.
That does sound like exactly what I need. I’ll look into that. Thank you!
You are really a very wise young lady! Many people don’t realize how important those things are until much later in life, if at all.
Thank you! Hopefully, recognizing it helps a bit.