on being free

Around this time of year we are generally bombarded with commitments to others, both social and professional. Actually, it continues throughout the year, and in some cases our entire weekends are booked months in advance. These are not necessarily commitments related to Young One's activities. {Sigh.} It's difficult to refuse invitations to explore or to be with others, but we are doing it. Yes, we are. We are committed, together, to reclaim and protect our free time. I hope our gaggle of extroverted friends understands.

Neither of us would ever shirk from professional responsibilities, but those lines are often blurred for us, making this even more complicated at times.

Being free, without obligations, does not mean being available to others. That's a new concept for us.

Right now our absolute favorite place to be is our front patio, and while we enjoy the company of others in that place, we are just as content with just the two of us. Hello. We each like to be out there alone, as well, reclining in our spiffy new French chair, my back-to-school gift to myself this year.

We need downtime to be able to be our best selves.

........

If you are passing through the paese and see us out there, please accept our invitation to stop by for a drink. We'd love to see you. We do enjoy your company. We likely can feed you. We even have enough bug spray for everyone. Just understand that when we aren't up for that outing with all those people...that it has absolutely nothing to do with you. We are introverted homebodies who have been masquerading as social extroverts. This gig is up.

#protectingourfreetime