Yes, life's too short to:
Pretend I'm someone I'm not. It's so easy to respond to what others expect of me, and hide my real self. But it just leaves people with a phoney idea of who I am.
Exhaust myself in a gym. Natural forms of exercise like hill-walking are more fun and more scenic. Why struggle with machines in a sweaty gym?
Listen to moaners. The hours I've wasted listening to people moaning away about their workplace, their neighbours, their relatives.
Think about the Royal Family. I couldn't care less about the royals. They're just a bunch of parasites sponging off the rest of us and giving little in return.
Idealise politicians. I no longer kid myself that politicians who promise a bright new future mean what they say. I've seen too many false dawns.
Bear grudges. Better to let bygones be bygones rather than brood over old grievances that will never be put right. Simmering over something for years only makes us sour.
Dwell on things I can't control. There's no point in harping on about things I have little influence over. Like drink-driving or homophobia or religious fanatics.
Keep the house spotless. I'm not one of those houseproud obsessives who clean and sweep non-stop. As long as the place is presentable, that's enough for me.
Shop till I drop. I can't stand shopping. I do it only when I absolutely have to. Spending time in a shopping centre, assaulted by endless Musak, is my idea of hell.
Worry about my failings. Like everyone, I make mistakes and I upset people. There's no point in fretting over it. I do what I can to make things right, and then I move on.
I care about the opinions of those I care about. I don't go out of my way to bother or offend anyone, but if someone doesn't like me, it's their right, as it is mine to not care. It helps that I have become more reclusive over time!
ReplyDeleteSandra: I've got a bit more reclusive as well. Partly because people who're on my wavelength are very hard to find.
DeleteNick, you are ready to join a monastery community.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: I'd probably fit in quite well. But I wouldn't like having to get up at some unearthly hour like 5 am.
DeleteGood list! I support you.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: So I'm not just a weird anti-social eccentric. There are others who share my views!
DeleteYou're right. I worry about dust far too much!
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Jenny worries about dust a lot. She says the place is filthy when actually there's just a few dust bunnies.
DeleteI agree with this. There's no point in not being genuinely who you are or worrying about some of those things. Life is too short.
ReplyDeleteMary: I notice you describe yourself as "your everyday run of the mill weirdo". I think of myself in much the same way!
DeleteI liked this list, Nick, and you said you had nothing to post about when you started out. I agree with so many things in your list and would like to add that I not only do not care about royalty, but especially do not care about celebrities - who's marrying and/or divorcing and having children. These are life events experienced by many not just the rich & famous.
ReplyDeleteBefore my knee injury, I went to the gym which was never that crowded as it's here in the mill apts. I had become obsessed with the 10K/day steps. Since I stopped going, my knee is better and I fell much less obsessive (about certain things).
Thanks for sharing your story about blogging in reply to your resent post.
Beatrice: Indeed, I also don't care about celebs and their latest marriage / baby / divorce / addiction etc. Glad to know your knee is better after too much exercise!
DeleteThanks, Nick, and I am not overdoing in hte future. Just walking is OK with me.
Delete