Bonnie Bing
One of the best parts of being retired is Sunday evening. For many, many years on Sunday evening I would get out my date book and take a look at everything that would be happening the coming week. Deadlines, meetings, volunteering, giving talks, lunch dates and more were listed.
By the time I finished I would sigh and think, “Bing, why don’t you ever say no?” Some things you can’t say no to, such as a column or story deadline. Meetings? Sometimes I could have, but I was afraid of missing something important. Volunteering is important to me, and there are so many great causes. Giving talks was and still is one of my favorite things to do. Lunch dates with friends was always a welcome break.
So see? My book was full of necessary tasks. My friends have made fun of me for years about my schedule and how I always have my calendar with me. I still do.
The difference now is the pages aren’t filled to the max, with notes in the margin. These days, I limit myself to no more than three commitments a day. Usually, it’s a combination of fun and “business.”
An article in The Wall Street Journal by Ray A. Smith explained that as workloads are mounting, people struggle with the “Sunday Scaries.” The term, now in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, refers to a feeling of dread as the week ahead approaches.
This isn’t limited to those in the workforce. Remember when you went to school, and Sunday meant getting the homework you put off until the last minute finished? And working part-time and going to school was a real challenge with the Sunday Scaries throwing your weekend mood into a deep hole.
Sunday evenings are great now. Sunday naps are guilt free. Usually it’s not necessary to set an alarm, and looking back at old date books will make you wonder how in the world you got everything accomplished.
Reach Bonnie Bing at bingbylines@gmail.com
