It seems cruel that the older I get, the more interests I acquire and yet the less time I have to pursue them. As a teenager, I used to say in a very know-it-all way that you make time to do the things you want to do. I still believe that, but I underestimated the sheer number of responsibilities that come along with being an adult, even being a young adult with no children!
Time is limited, so I’ve developed priorities, unconsciously if not consciously. There are the things I have to do, most of which I take care of, but some of which I avoid. The things I really want to do and will seemingly make time for no matter what, which has included blogging for the last year. Then there are the things I would really like to do, but my life at the moment just isn’t big enough to include them. I always feel like I’m making excuses, but we all have limits and, as much as I might want to, I can’t do everything. Here are a few of the things I hope to get around to again or for the first time; many of them have been inspired by or intensified by my experience blogging.
The Few I Feel Guilty About
Reading: I’ve mentioned this one so many times. I miss losing myself in books.
Running: This has many times made it into the have to do and really want to do categories, but not in the last year or so.
Writing: I already write a lot and blogging has helped to keep me writing every day, but I always feel like I can and want to write more, especially fiction.
The Several That Intrigue Me
Photography: I swear I never thought much about this at all before I started blogging. The only people I knew who were into photography were my step-dad and my aunt. But now I come across all these beautiful pictures on your blogs every day and it’s got me itching to get into it myself. I want pictures to go along with my words! I especially blame Sophia, Amy, and Elizabeth for this one.
Movies: I’m generally quite aware of the movies coming out (thanks to Filmspotting). I often say things like, “I really want to go see that.” But, I never go see anything. Like, ever. I’ve only seen about 5 movies at the theater this year so far. I made a weak attempt to watch more movies in August, but I got distracted by TV.
Freelancing: It is not my professional aspiration to be a freelance writer. There are few things I know for certain, but one of them is that I’m not cut out to be self-employed. I would surely go insane and probably fail. But, it would be interesting to actually get paid for writing, however minimally. The thought of having to write about something specific does subtly terrify me, but I think it’s a fear I’d like to face one of these days.
Adventure: I really regret not traveling abroad as an undergrad. I was just always too worried about the money. Lack of money is my reason for not traveling much now either. But, I live in Southern California and there are so many places I can visit just by car. I’m busy and not particularly adventurous, but I’m definitely feeling the urge to see more of at least the United States.
The One I Want to Want to Do
Cooking: I always imagine this one will go hand in hand with learning to eat decently. I want to want to cook and eat well, but that’s about where my ambition ends. As for now, it’s not in me to messy up my kitchen and spend the time to cook much of anything. I’m kind of embarrassed about it, but I’m hopeful that it’s something I’ll pursue eventually. Or, maybe Adorable Boy cooks and I won’t have to worry about it.
See, it’s hard for me to even write these out without thinking, “Why don’t you just do them?” But, there’s also something pleasant about getting them out of my head where they’ve been sitting, making me feel guilty whenever I watch TV or surf the internet mindlessly.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I totally understand; I try to fit way more into my life than is practical. I was going to make a short list here, but then I realised it wouldn’t be that short, so it’s probably better suited to a blog post of my own. I guess I’m kind of a completionist though; in a way it annoys me that however long I live, and however hard I try, I’ll never see every film, or read every book, or listen to every album. But that’s just how it is, and that’s why it’s important to make sure that you at least do the things you really want to do in life.
Writing is definitely the big one for me. Especially since I paid for the course over a year ago and still haven’t started it! I’m determined to make a start on it asap though.
Oh my gosh, I feel like I could have written this post myself. The only things I would change are that I’m not interested in writing other than blogging (and hence freelancing), and I am always reading no matter what. What you said about photography, movies, adventure, and cooking are my thoughts EXACTLY. I feel like I need a plan to start implementing these things into my life!
I feel you on this. I found that things get a lot easier when you get out of school and move to a town where you don’t know anyone. Or just get out of school.
Maybe take some time every day to do one of these things. It’s tough balancing everything out, but you can spend a little time from somewhere else on one of these, right?
yay photography! You don’t even need a fancy camera or anything…half of my photos are from my 3-inch point-and shoot.
re: running, perhaps you could sign up for a 5K or something if there is one in your area! Better yet, you could sign up for one in an area of so-cal that you haven’t seen yet, thus combining it with adventure!
every once in a while i’m astounded at how similar we are in some aspects. i’ve also be thinking a lot about the things i want to do versus the things i need to do. over the last couple of days i’ve been working on one of those “100 things i want to do” lists, which i’ll post to my blog when done. i’m determined to start checking things off that list.
What a great list, I think I’m gonna have to do this one for myself. Priorities are really hard to get into place some time. I think everyone should have a list like this to start working on.
I haven’t written fiction in a while. With NaNoWriMo coming up I need to get back in the game.
Yay for photography! Usually my photos have no correlation with what I write, which I like.
Adventure, go go go. You can make anything an adventure!
I know exactly what it’s like to have things you want to do, but not have the time to do them/not use the time you have to do them. I’m trying to get my rear in gear on several things, but we’ll see what happens there.
I am like that too. There are SO many things in my head that I WANT to do and that I SHOULD do, but it’s hard to prioritize them and fit them all in. I should make a list like you! I definitely want to get more into photography over the next year. And I’m hoping to start doing some travelling once I’m done my undergrad degree next spring. Those are a few must-do’s on my list right now!
I’ve recently taken up freelance writing and it’s so great. Though it’s not the greatest pay in the world, it’s a great way to supplement income. I will admit, its very hard to stay motivated through the whole thing. Especially working from home when Soap Operas are on?
Seriously. HARD.
Same here. There are about a BILLION things I want to do but I feel as if half of them will remain undone. The number does increase with age. I’ve noticed that recently.
When you are ready to do these things, I have no doubt that you will. I’ve learned that its all about timing. Even something like learning to cook.
I hope adorable boy cooks. That would make him much more appealing. Also, I think you should get more into photography!
I am with you there. There are so many things I want to do, but don’t have time to do them. And the list keeps growing every year.
Cooking! I have no problem cooking dessert…but I really want to learn how to love cooking food in general and meals without thinking it’s a chore or a hassle.
Here’s to one day when we actually do something we want to do!
Where the eff does all the time go? I always admire people that can devour books like it’s nothing. I love cooking, just wish I had more time. Writing, always. And I NEVER watch movies. I don’t have the attention span for them. Haha.