Figgedaboutit!

There was a time in my life when I was perfectly able to juggle boyfriend(s), work, school, dormlife, and even pull a couple of all-nighters per week. Sometimes for no reason at all than smoking and chatting had been so entrancing that when we’d look up, my roommates and I would realize it was 4 or 5 am and it wouldn’t be worth it to go to bed for only an hour or so. So after a vigorous shower and some strong but crappy coffee, we'd skip sleeping, head out to work/school/whatever, and start it all over again.

 Figgedaboutit! Those days are gone.

I am now an old woman, by my twenties’ standards. If I sleep one less hour than needed per night, I wake up with a migraine and it takes me a few consecutive good nights’ sleep to bounce back to my usual self (and I am still worthless without my morning 2, 3, or 4 cups of coffee, except now I can afford the good kind). Which means that my time has become even more precious than before. Which means that people and things that drain it unnecessarily must be dealt with swiftly and sometimes unceremoniously. Which means that I am no longer open for the business of time-suckage.


Gone are the people who constantly whine about their problems and always seem to have some sort of drama, legitimate or worse, otherwise. If you are not someone who can once in a while (not all the time just once in a while, that’s fair right?) get outside of your petty self and be grateful for the abundance of good in your life, then buh-bye!


Gone are the things that require too much time, like cooking daily elaborate meals that are wolfed down in a few minutes, or organizing elaborate parties for which I would have only aching muscles and a couple of good photos to show. After this year’s simple birthday party, even my spoiled little miss Em is on board.


And by the same token, gone are the themed chocolate lollipops that I used to make for every event/occasion/holiday to all the kids in my daughter’s class as well as the staff at her school. They all seem to have major oral hygiene issues anyway, so their parents must actually be thankful… the staff is just gonna hafta learn to deal with the disappointment!


Gone are the board meetings in charitable organizations -- where the purpose has long ceased to be swift action but turned into an excuse to get together over some sort of potluck foods and “socialize” (code for gossip)--, where the same tired (and as of yet) unresolved issues are needlessly argued over ad infinitum. Charity begins at home, or more lyrically in French, Aides-toi, le ciel t'aidera. Amen!

Gone are the so-called friends who call only to want something from me. If you cannot even manage some semblance of reciprocity, don’t even bother barking up this wrong tree.


Gone are people who make plans and flake. Worse, flake after you took the time to get there or cleared your schedule for their sake. And worse still, don't bother answering texts inquiring as to their whereabouts. Or the worst yet, who call you back after a couple of hours, or the next day, to tell you they forgot, or fell asleep, or just didn't feel like it. AGAIN AND AGAIN! Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!


Gone are people who cannot tell time and are therefore always late. Being on time once in a big while, by mistake, does not indemnify you. 
Get a watch and wear it!


Gone are the days where I would jump and volunteer for every Tom, Dick and Harry who pitifully relayed their woes to me -- I am understandably becoming bitchier choosier. I come first, I choose how to spend the limited resource that is my time. That said, I am still a softie, so this list may need to be altered to reflect my better mood days. Right now, I’m liking the sound of my new simplified life and am totally digging my crisp new lighter schedule.


What have you or would you give up to increase your quality of life?