Ferris says life comes at you fast, so treat yourself
I have a weird habit of not letting myself have too much fun. Sure, I can be talked into it, and I do recreational things, but the whole time I have this guilty feeling, like I shouldn’t be there.
Think Cameron Fry in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” only not quite as miserable and without the overbearing father.
This was evident at lunch just today. I’ve recently started an exercise and healthy eating routine without telling anyone about it. No ‘New Year, New Me’ social media post – I just did it. I guess I’m announcing it now, but you get the idea.
I started at the beginning of January, and I’ve been more consistent than I have in years – three days a week in the gym, avoiding fast food and trying to adopt better sleeping habits.
My life doesn’t make all this easy. I’m busier than I’ve ever been. Between my radio work, this column, hosting trivia and karaoke every week, and DJing weddings on weekends, I don’t have a lot of time for myself.
This week has been particularly busy. I haven’t had a ton of time to meal prep. I convinced myself that today would be a “cheat day” and, for lunch, I’ll grab some of the fast food I have been avoiding.
Upon receiving my paper bag full of fatty, oil-fried deliciousness, guilt immediately took hold.
Shame on me. Not for eating the food but for having the thought.
Many of us forget we deserve a little leeway from time to time. After all, I have been working very hard on pretty much every aspect of my life. Just yesterday I was choking down raw veggies and abnormally dry grilled chicken. I deserved my grease-soaked bag of happiness.
I do this a lot. I don’t allow myself to enjoy the little nuggets of happiness I stumble across. Anytime I get an idle moment or do something I enjoy, I immediately think I should be spending my time doing something more productive. It’s some weird mental thing. I’m working on it.
I find myself envious of friends who embrace their happiness. Friends who travel regularly, who go out to dinner every week, who have hobbies that they love. As I write this, Maney of the Maney & LauRen Morning Show is in Cabo for his birthday. My daughter’s future in-laws go out to dinner with friends almost every week. I have this friend Jon who has a new hobby every time I see him. He acts as excited as a kid to tell me all about it. They are each an inspiration.
I think we all, from time to time, feel the same way. It’s human nature. But here is a bit of advice I’m trying to follow myself – slow down & treat yourself. It’ll be fine. All those responsibilities will be there waiting for us. Nobody on their death bed says I wish I’d worked more.
In the infamous words of Ferris Bueller – the aforementioned Cameron Fry’s good time role model – life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
You said it, Ferris.