I don’t think of it as contracting. I think of it as pacing myself, lol. That definitely applies to work life. I am content to glide along and not kill myself in the short term in my 50s, while planning to work to 65-67. On the social side, we are trying to practice saying “yes” to opportunities and invites we might previously had declined when too busy (or tired) with the kids. A couple of years ago two high school friends I’d socialized with in a group but never with just them had an extra ticket to see Smashing Pumpkins. I could care less about Smashing Pumpkins, but I said yes and had a great time. We still laugh about that night. Just yesterday my wife and I went to see a local summer theatre production of Sweeney Todd that I’d talked her into. It was awesome. During the performance some mutual friends who lived a few blocks from the venue texted us and invited us to come over to sit by the pool, bbq and watch a soccer game. We were not dressed for it and it was a Sunday night, but we said yes and had fun. Yes is my new mantra!
13 Likes