Comments on: The Separation of Labor and Leisure http://tendollarthoughts.com/2012/09/04/the-separation-of-labor-and-leisure/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 23 May 2013 13:44:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Cathy http://tendollarthoughts.com/2012/09/04/the-separation-of-labor-and-leisure/comment-page-1/#comment-49466 Cathy Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:48:19 +0000 http://tendollarthoughts.com/?p=3651#comment-49466 "I just don’t think I’d enjoy any relaxation as much knowing that work is waiting just around the corner." - EXACTLY! Why are men so able to ignore? I am, however, learning. It's weird. I actually went and watched TV and then went to bed without cleaning up my kitchen after dinner. Unheard of in previous times. I think part of it might be that my kids are older and I find myself with more time now. They are self-sufficient and I really have plenty of time once home from work to address whatever needs to get done - aside from making dinner, there's not much to do. The older two do the kitchen (one on dishes, one on counters) and all of them can shower themselves. I reached some point of criticality a few years ago when I was so stressed out trying to get EVERYTHING done and I broke. I realized I just could not and resigned myself to letting go. The world would not crumble if the boys missed a soccer practice here or a page of math homework was saved to the next day or a load of laundry or two were saved for the week. Since then I've been in a so decline (LOL) of letting things go. I have this marvelous knack for prioritizing and figuring out what truly needs to get done and what can wait and I'm taking advantage of it. “I just don’t think I’d enjoy any relaxation as much knowing that work is waiting just around the corner.” – EXACTLY!

Why are men so able to ignore? I am, however, learning. It’s weird. I actually went and watched TV and then went to bed without cleaning up my kitchen after dinner. Unheard of in previous times. I think part of it might be that my kids are older and I find myself with more time now. They are self-sufficient and I really have plenty of time once home from work to address whatever needs to get done – aside from making dinner, there’s not much to do. The older two do the kitchen (one on dishes, one on counters) and all of them can shower themselves.

I reached some point of criticality a few years ago when I was so stressed out trying to get EVERYTHING done and I broke. I realized I just could not and resigned myself to letting go. The world would not crumble if the boys missed a soccer practice here or a page of math homework was saved to the next day or a load of laundry or two were saved for the week. Since then I’ve been in a so decline (LOL) of letting things go. I have this marvelous knack for prioritizing and figuring out what truly needs to get done and what can wait and I’m taking advantage of it.

]]> By: Gale http://tendollarthoughts.com/2012/09/04/the-separation-of-labor-and-leisure/comment-page-1/#comment-49317 Gale Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:56:26 +0000 http://tendollarthoughts.com/?p=3651#comment-49317 Anna - My sister told me over the phone how she will comment to her husband on a weekend that X, Y, and Z need to get done and could he please help her. He will apparently respond, "Yes, but right now I'm relaxing." She and I (and likely you too) find this mindset astounding. I just don't think I'd enjoy any relaxation as much knowing that work is waiting just around the corner. I've been hard at work shortening the To Do list this week, hoping to make this weekend more restful and less frenzied. We'll see if it works out. Anna – My sister told me over the phone how she will comment to her husband on a weekend that X, Y, and Z need to get done and could he please help her. He will apparently respond, “Yes, but right now I’m relaxing.” She and I (and likely you too) find this mindset astounding. I just don’t think I’d enjoy any relaxation as much knowing that work is waiting just around the corner.

I’ve been hard at work shortening the To Do list this week, hoping to make this weekend more restful and less frenzied. We’ll see if it works out.

]]> By: Anna http://tendollarthoughts.com/2012/09/04/the-separation-of-labor-and-leisure/comment-page-1/#comment-49305 Anna Wed, 05 Sep 2012 17:01:38 +0000 http://tendollarthoughts.com/?p=3651#comment-49305 I am this way too! Tommy even has a term for it, which I will not share because it's not that flattering:) He has the ability to look right past a sinkful of dirty dishes or overflowing laundry baskets, if he wants to watch football. Me? Not so much. I am looking for a way out, because between work, the kiddo, the house, the extended family, the dog...it NEVER ends. I love being productive, but now for me, even being productive isn't enough to keep up. I too want to spend more time doing things I find refreshing and rejuvenating. So, I'm going to find a way to keep my list shorter too. It's a worthy goal. Thanks for posting this, I loved it! I am this way too! Tommy even has a term for it, which I will not share because it’s not that flattering:) He has the ability to look right past a sinkful of dirty dishes or overflowing laundry baskets, if he wants to watch football. Me? Not so much.
I am looking for a way out, because between work, the kiddo, the house, the extended family, the dog…it NEVER ends. I love being productive, but now for me, even being productive isn’t enough to keep up.
I too want to spend more time doing things I find refreshing and rejuvenating. So, I’m going to find a way to keep my list shorter too. It’s a worthy goal.
Thanks for posting this, I loved it!

]]> By: anne http://tendollarthoughts.com/2012/09/04/the-separation-of-labor-and-leisure/comment-page-1/#comment-49273 anne Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:23:25 +0000 http://tendollarthoughts.com/?p=3651#comment-49273 Okay, not to jump into gender stereotypes, but this sentence is just SO MALE: “But why can’t you do that at home? GAP asked. “If you want to take a step back and enjoy some deep relaxation more often, there’s no reason you can’t do it at home.” I'll tell you why, GAP. Because there is LAUNDRY TO DO. And TOILETS TO CLEAN. And at least with my husband, he's much better able to ignore those things if he needs a little relaxation time, whereas it's hard for me to relax when I just KNOW the bathroom floor is filthy. I'll say, "Isn't it driving you crazy how the living room floor needs swiffering?" No, it's not driving him nuts. So sorry...I love dear GAP, but dude. He's being a dude. Okay, moving on. I agree that a full-fledged relaxation-fest is easier done away from home. It just is. BUT, I guess to support GAP's point and your conclusion, I also believe you can carve out itty bits of relaxation time for yourself, and it does a world of good. I'm a really productive, list-oriented person too, and I enjoy crossing things off at home, and vegging on vacation. But lately I've been getting up earlier JUST so I can have some downtime. Usually I write, but lately I've been absorbed in a totally fun book, and I've been getting up early (before the baby wakes) so I can curl up in a chair with my coffee and just read....for the love of reading and relaxation. And it puts me in a better mood, and probably ultimately boosts my productivity the rest of the day. And now that I'm used to it, I miss it when I don't have it. One final note. Next time you're on vacation, why not split the difference? Spend 75-80% of the time doing your usual tourist thing, and then give yourself a day or two to just chill. I think you'll like it:) A girlfriend forced me to do that once, and it changed my vacation-ing perspective. Okay, not to jump into gender stereotypes, but this sentence is just SO MALE:

“But why can’t you do that at home? GAP asked. “If you want to take a step back and enjoy some deep relaxation more often, there’s no reason you can’t do it at home.”

I’ll tell you why, GAP. Because there is LAUNDRY TO DO. And TOILETS TO CLEAN. And at least with my husband, he’s much better able to ignore those things if he needs a little relaxation time, whereas it’s hard for me to relax when I just KNOW the bathroom floor is filthy. I’ll say, “Isn’t it driving you crazy how the living room floor needs swiffering?” No, it’s not driving him nuts. So sorry…I love dear GAP, but dude. He’s being a dude.

Okay, moving on. I agree that a full-fledged relaxation-fest is easier done away from home. It just is. BUT, I guess to support GAP’s point and your conclusion, I also believe you can carve out itty bits of relaxation time for yourself, and it does a world of good. I’m a really productive, list-oriented person too, and I enjoy crossing things off at home, and vegging on vacation. But lately I’ve been getting up earlier JUST so I can have some downtime. Usually I write, but lately I’ve been absorbed in a totally fun book, and I’ve been getting up early (before the baby wakes) so I can curl up in a chair with my coffee and just read….for the love of reading and relaxation. And it puts me in a better mood, and probably ultimately boosts my productivity the rest of the day. And now that I’m used to it, I miss it when I don’t have it.

One final note. Next time you’re on vacation, why not split the difference? Spend 75-80% of the time doing your usual tourist thing, and then give yourself a day or two to just chill. I think you’ll like it:) A girlfriend forced me to do that once, and it changed my vacation-ing perspective.

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