The other day I was chatting with someone whom I had just met. This person asked me what would be considered a pretty common get-to-know-you sort of question: “What do you do in your spare time?” I couldn’t help chuckling; anyone who knows I am a single parent with three kids would probably not have asked me about my “spare time”…
If truth be told, there was a time when I lamented my nonexistent free time. Years ago, when I was much younger (and my kids were too), I missed my free time something fierce! There were weeks when I would have been thrilled to just get to sleep uninterrupted in my bed alone. But, over the years, I have adjusted and I no longer get frustrated at the lack of free time. I’ve learned how to squeeze things that I want to do in and around other things. I could not help but look a little dazed, however, when this person looked at me expectantly waiting to hear about my interests and hobbies.
“I am a single parent with three teenagers and three cats; I run my own business,” I answered. “I like all sorts of things—movies, books, plays, tennis…I just don’t always have a lot of time to do them…”
Judging by the response, I guess I came off sounding a bit boring. I suppose to the childless forty-something, my life does sound a bit droll. After all, my childless peers are taking cruises, going on expensive vacations, building houses and adding on rooms, and taking up scuba diving. I’m still making dentist and vet appointments and figuring out what to make for dinner (depending on who shows up_. I am not so concerned, however, that I don’t have a lot of free time. My life feels absolutely full as it is.
Also: Can You Live Without Alone Time (At Least for a While)?
Never Underestimate the Power of Baths and Naps