Yesterday I mentioned that I am leaving a job because I felt “it was time.” There was no specific moment or incident that precipitated my decision. Nor had I checked all of the boxes on a list of things I wanted to accomplish. I can’t even say that I was bored or needed a new challenge.
Have you done something simply because of a want or need that you have because, well, you have it? Some people will feel superior and be condescending to you if you can’t give them a rational explanation—or, at least, one that fits into the ways they frame their own narratives. I spent decades as the round peg trying to fit info a square hole, or the square peg in the round hole, because I couldn’t explain, at least in ways family members, colleagues, authority figures why I didn’t couldn’t make the career, lifestyle or other choices they proscribed for me.
The funny thing is that, as often as not, they didn’t or couldn’t make the same choices they were trying to make for me, or they were miserable with them (example: marrying and having childfen). Or had ideas about how I should be doing what I did, even if it was something they didn’t do themselves. I have had completely sedentary people wonder why I ride my bike as much as I do, why I don’t ride more or why I’m in the saddle when it’s “too” cold or wet or whatever.
I admit I have my limits: We had combinations of rain, sleet and snow through much of today. I didn’t ride. There wasn’t anyplace I had to be, so I didn’t go anywhere, except to the store next door and the cafe across the street to pick up my dinner. (Taco Tuesday!) I curled up with. Marlee in the middle of the afternoon. It was time for all of those things, and perhaps it will be time to ride again tomorrow. Only I can decide.
