It’s Friday. Here’s what I’m looking at, for today:
- For the second day in a row, I have to get into work earlier than usual (which leaves me limited time to blog);
- I have too much to do today. I won’t be able to do it all. There’s no way.
So how am I feeling, in the moment? Rushed. Annoyed. And I’m having anticipatory guilt.
Anticipatory guilt? What the hell is that?
Well, I’m expecting that guilt will be on my plate today, because
- I don’t like being annoyed.
- I will have to prioritize and make decisions about what I do and what I don’t do.
- I will probably question some of those decisions.
- Some tasks will remain undone by the end of the day.
So, my dear readers, we’re looking at a Friday that is Fraught with Guilt Potential.
I’ve noticed that, these days, there are catchy names on the internet, for the days of the week. For example, I’m aware of Throwback Thursday.
I wonder if there are catchy names for Friday that involve the potential for guilt? Somehow, I doubt it. I think most characterizations about Fridays have to do with relief, not guilt.
For example, I’m aware of this one:
Thank God It’s Friday, often abbreviated to TGIF.
Personally, I’m looking at this kind of TGIF:
Try Guilt, It’s Friday
Arrghhhh!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t find guilt a helpful feeling. Like worry, guilt doesn’t do me any good these days.
So as I’m looking at my own Special of the Day — that offer of “Try Guilt, It’s Friday” — THIS is how I’m going to reply, right now:
Thanks, but no thanks. And, I would like to take this opportunity to change that TGIF to something else. How about these, instead?
Try Groaning, It’s Friday.
Try Griping, It’s Friday.
Try Grinning, It’s Friday.
Try Gratitude, It’s Friday.
Try Growing, It’s Friday.
I’ll probably do all of the above, at some point during today. And that’s fine, because those are all better than guilt.
I don’t know about you, but I feel better now.
What’s missing, before I end this post? A picture, of course! Haven’t you been paying attention???
(As I mentioned at the top of my post, I’m starting out this morning annoyed. And when I’m annoyed, I tend to get pissed off at certain things, including my sense that people aren’t paying attention. So don’t take it personally. It’s not you. It’s me.)
So where was I, before that digression in the parentheses?
Oh, yes. A picture. Let’s see what I have, on my iPhone ….
Here’s a photo I took yesterday, of something I have in my office:
It’s a gift I got, around this time last year– an action figure of one of my heroes, Carl Jung. I took that photo, yesterday, because I thought I might want to use it in today’s post.
I was right!* So let’s end with this one:
Try Goofiness, It’s Friday.
Gotta run! Thanks for reading, today.
________________________________
* I’m a good guesser. Here’s another guess of mine: I’m not going to be the only one who uses this title for a blog post today.
Hope your day gets better!
It is getting better, especially now that I’m reading your kind comment, Diana.
Greetings. Thanks for the helpful and humorous post, as always. Seems we are on a similar path, as I just looked at my to-do list yet again to see if somehow it had shrunk or I had gained superpowers that will enable me to swoop in and accomplish everything. Nope. So, I had been tinkering with how to change my approach and found this terrific post. I think I’ll “try gratitude, it’s Friday” along with “try goofiness, it’s Friday.” Ahhhh-yes, I feel better. And who couldn’t after seeing a Carl Jung action figure?! Say, what? I have toy envy :). Hope you have a goofy, grateful, GLORIOUS Friday…. guilt gunk free. xo
I am so glad that you are finding this blog helpful. That (as well as all the other wonderful parts of this glorious comment) helps make my day a terrific one. Thanks so much. (And, I LOVE the phrase “guilt gunk free.”)
Cute! I love the acronyms for TGIF ~ especially the grinning and gratitude! I hope your day goes great! xo
Thanks for the x’s and the o’s and for the rest of this comment. That is helping my day go great, indeed.
Good! Happy to make you smile. ♥
I just love the sight of Jung Love. Thanks for sharing that particular guilty pleasure — deep-thinker action figures, who knew! — on your guiltless Friday, Ann.
Thanks for reminding me that my Friday could be guiltless, Mark. I am working on that, in the moment, and you are helping me!
Try Gratitude It’s Friday: Today I’m thankful that I read this…. hope your weekend is rejuvenating to your mind and soul.
Thank you for visiting and for this wonderful comment. Your kind wish did rejuvenate my mind and soul.
Hi Ann …. If only all of us could produce such a delightful post while rushed and annoyed! You are very productive with your potential guilt and possibly with procrastination as well. I love Frought With Guilt Potential Friday, or whatever you have dubbed it. (Acronyms don’t matter as much as aptness to me.)
Maybe it’s the Jewish half of me coming out, but I like a little guilt. Not overwhelming guilt. But a little guilt. It’s such a nice feeling when that lifts. And potential guilt is the best kind of guilt because it’s motivating and it makes us interesting and human in a frazzled-emoting-and-staggering-into-things kind of way but it can be lifted by something as simple as an unexpected visit from a friend or a job well done or an uplifting post.
Thank you for the gift!
I LOVE your comments. I feel very lucky to have you as a reader. Thank you for your gift today.
PS I am delighted by your Carl Jung action figure. I wonder if it comes in a Carl Sagan version?
I checked for a Carl Sagan action figure and found this.
I love the positive spins you came up with but want to make sure you address the guilt directly.
So . . .
Trash guilt – it’s Friday
Trounce guilt – it’s Friday
Thwart guilt – it’s Friday
etc!
Happy weekend and thank you!
Kit
Kit, thank YOU, for this wonderfully helpful comment.
I find it interesting that in a blog and year dedicated to living non-judgmentally, you have included feelings of guilt, even if only to try and substitute for it. Guilt is often the very essential result of judgment, after all.
It is interesting, isn’t it? Welcome to my (blogging) world and thanks so much for this comment.
I’m going to go get a Carl Jung action figure! I wonder if there is a Freud action figure, too, so you could buy both and make them fight!
Have you tried making a list and checking it twice? I love lists. Add a couple of ‘to do’ items that you’ve already done (get up, drink coffee) so you can cross them off straight away for a sense of accomplishment! 😆
I love lists, too, and I’ve used (and recommended) that very technique to people — about padding your list with things you’ve done or really want to do. I’m so glad you visited and commented!
Didn’t realize I was so judgmental until I decided to live non-judgmentally. Difficult, but it’s a work in progress.
Yes! It’s all a work in a progress. Thanks so much for the visit and the comment, Yvonne.
I didn’t work on Fridays for many years (I put in 14 hour days M-Th) so I had TGITH, and “yippee ay aa” it’s Friday; but then some things changed and I started working more on Fridays. This summer I hired temp staff through a temp agency, and to make life easier and more efficient for them, I send in their time sheets to the temp agency, and I pick up their checks from the temp agency every Friday morning on my way into the office. So as long as I have the temp staff, I have to go into the office every Friday morning, whether I really need to or not. So much for my TGITh;-) Interestingly enough, you can’t imagine how happy and productive the temps are over me taking care of those two simple things for them. The temp agency tells me I’m their only client who sends in the temps time sheets and picks up checks for their temps. They said I’m also their only client who doesn’t complain about the productivity of the temps the agency placed with them (I love the temps and hoping to get enough work to hire them as regular staff).
Sounds like you’re lucky to have the temps and the temps are lucky to have you. I worked as a temp for two summers when I was in college: I found that really valuable experience (and kind of adventurous, too).
I know the feeling,anxiety can be such a pain. But at-least we know the sun must shine at some point 🙂
Absolutely, Adam. Thanks so much for the sunny and hopeful comment.
Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while today. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as good as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
Thanks for being such a great visitor. Come back any time. Maybe we’ll toast some marshmallows!
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