Boundaries and Boxing Day
We talk a lot about boundaries as writers. How do we set boundaries for our own writing time? Our own space? How do we give all of ourselves in our craft, without giving all of ourselves, period?
I struggle with boundaries as much as the next writer—only, I realized, I’ve actually succeeded in setting boundaries in one important aspect of my life.
Boxing Day. TODAY! My absolute favourite day of the year—even over Christmas. Here’s why: Boundaries. Years ago, before kids and even after, I put my foot down about my responsibilities on Boxing Day: ZERO. Everyone in my entire family knows that on Boxing Day, they are not to expect me to do a single chore. No cooking, no clean up, nothing. It is my day to pick up my new book (the one my family must give me on Christmas) and read. That’s it.
And I feel ZERO guilt. My husband could (and does) pick up the slack on that one day, and my girls grew up thinking it was normal. In fact, they’ve all gotten into the spirit; it is the laziest, most relaxed day of the whole year in our household.
How did I manage it? By deciding I deserved it. I wasn’t selfish to demand this one day. I wasn’t neglectful, nor would it harm my children or my husband.
Boundaries. When you recognize you deserve what you are demanding.
The key to writing. The key to life.
Happy Boxing Day!