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Living Without Obligations
I no longer allow myself to obligatorily live for anyone but myself
“What kills us isn’t one big thing, but thousands of tiny obligations we can’t turn down for fear of disappointing others.”
― Alain de Botton
Monday
Him: “You have Friday off, yeah? Let’s go somewhere.”
Me: “Mmmm. Maybe. Can I let you know Friday?”
Him: “Come on! Just say yes.”
Me: “Fine… yes.”
Friday
Him: “We still going out?”
Me: “Oh, but I’m so tired. I just want to sleep in. Please? It’s my only day off.”
Him: “But you said yes! You can’t back out now.”
Me: “Fine… let’s go.”
Things like that used to happen to me a lot. Not that I’d want to bail on plans (especially plans to which I’d prior say yes), but people would pressure me into saying yes, and then I’d go out of obligation, not out of want.
obligation: an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment
morally or legally bound
Morally, I’m bound by my word — at least, that’s what I used to tell myself. Which…
