There’s a song by the band Alabama called “I’m in a Hurry (and Don’t Know Why).” This song aptly describes me. I am constantly in a hurry, always rushing from one place to the next, one task to another. Focusing on just what’s in front of me becomes nearly impossible as my overactive mind dashes off to something else while whoever or whatever is in front of me is left with far less of me.
I used to think, “Of course I’m in a hurry! I have so much to do there just isn’t enough time in the day!”
Well yes, it’s true that I do have a lot that I cram into each day. I’m not sure speeding from one to the next actually saves me any time though. I’ve honestly tried to calculate this in my head, in an attempt to justify my frenzied approach to life. (I’m a logical person who loves math, don’t judge!)
The numbers don’t add up. I don’t save enough time scurrying around, worrying about saving a minute here or there, to make up for the fun that is lost in my life.
The song begins:
“I’m in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun.
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why.”
This song runs through my mind sometimes while I’m fighting traffic on my way to pick up the kids after work. As I lose patience with the person going faaar too slow in front of me, I anxiously wait for an opening in the adjacent lane so I can move to where the traffic is going faster. I zip in, only to hit a red light. As I sit there, my frustration building, I become angry with the person who had been crawling along…the one who made me miss the light…the reason I’m sitting here with NOTHING TO DO but wish they’d go back to wherever they’ve come from, certain that only tourists have time to drive so painfully slow.
Then the light turns green and I race off, grateful to be moving again, away from my thoughts.
I do this nearly every day, even though I’m aware that this is taking any fun out my commute. I have had some success by using my time in the car better. I have found when I’m using the time listening to podcasts I at least feel like I’m being somewhat productive. But then I end up behind another tourist (has to be) and I find myself looking for the opening in the next lane instead of truly hearing what is being said on the podcast.
In fact, I find myself doing this even when I’m not in a hurry at all, when I know that no matter how long it takes me I am going to be early arriving at my destination.
But I am aware I am doing this, and because I am aware I can eventually change my behavior. I can change the way I think, the way I feel. I have been congratulating myself for years for being so efficient, so productive; it will take time to undo what I have taught myself. This is not how I want to live my life. I want to enjoy every minute of my life, even the ones spent commuting to and from work next to the tourists.
This post is in response to the daily writing prompt Rush
Thriving Not Surviving 
I’m like you! I want to slow down. take time to breathe. stop and think. and not rush around! xx
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Knowing that’s what we want…And being aware of what we are doing instead really does help give us control. It’s not always easy but I’m learning to do it!
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Good use of the prompt ☺ Do you live in Florida? Based on your tourist comment, I’m guessing somewhere around a heavy tourist area. ☺ I lived in FL for 20 years before moving here to TN. I too was always in a rush, but age has a way of slowing you down. ☺❤
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Yes I’m in Florida and the snowbirds are enough to drive anyone crazy. 😂 This year was especially bad because areas further south were hit hard by hurricane Irma right before they came down so they came here instead. How do you like TN?
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Some of us hurry and forget the beautiful things around us. I would prefer to do things at my pace.. But I will also make sure I don’t lag behind. Rush slowly 🙂
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Lol I love the idea of “rush slowly”. I am getting better at slowing down…But I still find myself rushing sometimes…Even when I know I don’t need to (or want to). I am a work in progress!
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Having to slow down while driving because of someone else can be so annoying! I totally get that. But it is not worth the stress.
But listen to this voice of experience 😂 Take things easy. Heavens didn’t fall on me when I didn’t fold the laundry or let the dishes pile up in the sink! 😉
On some days go with flow and don’t fret. Believe me it has it rewards. 😀
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I’m getting there. I am certainly more laid back than I was but I’ve found this frustration when driving one of the hardest to get past. I will…I think writing about it will help. I’m conscious of it so I can change it. Thanks for your support! 😁
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Always there for you. 😊
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😁 thank you!
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Time really does rush. Like you even I try to add the numbers but the hours and seconds are not justified. 😊
And sometimes I wish there should be more than 24 hrs but when in office I feel 24hrs in a day isn’t that bad. 😉
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Lol perspective really changes things doesn’t it?
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Yes, it does. 🙂
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You sound like me. My brain is constantly in overdrive. I don’t like it because I am really always so tired physically and mentally. It’s so bad, family has named me as having 6 o’clock syndrome. I used to get so upset I would be in tears. By 6pm everyday, my brain shuts down. I constantly start sentences, can’t remember what was to finish them. I have cried literally before because I would go get my sons medication, he has daily meds and weekly I divide them into daily containers, between grabbing them out of my room, walking 2 rooms away to bring to him, had so much going through my mind, set them down being sidetracked and took me over a hr to find them practically sitting on my nose! 😪 I have meds to help now, but I don’t think anything is strong enough to help with this motor running until I take my bedtime meds and it’s forces to shut down.
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That sounds difficult to deal with! I sympathize with your struggle. I can’t say that I’ve ever needed medication but there was a time I was so overwhelmed with all that was on my plate I didn’t know what to do. And now not only am I managing all that but I’ve taken on so much more! I am confident if you keep looking for solutions to pick away at the problem you can overcome it! Hang in there. ((Hug))
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Oh I agree with you! I read ALOT! More I read, I find different ways to cope with all of it. I could read others blogs for hours. It’s so nice to know sometimes, there are other people out here going through same!
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I agree that the support of others can do more than anything else!
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