DAE remember when a canceled dinner meant a whole free night? Now it just means catching up on dishes
My cousin canceled our dinner at 4pm last Saturday, so I suddenly had a free evening and honestly felt lost. Back in 2019 I would have grabbed a book or called a friend, but this time I just did laundry and meal prep for the week. I ended up scrubbing the stove for 40 minutes because I had nothing else to do with myself. It's weird how a free night used to feel like a gift and now it just feels like a chore list. Does anyone else struggle to actually enjoy a canceled plan anymore, or is it just me?
There was this study I heard about that said people actually get more joy from free time when it's unplanned, but only if they don't fill it with tasks. Something about how we trick ourselves into thinking busy equals good. Your story makes that sound pretty real.
I see it the opposite way actually, because that empty night is exactly when your brain finally gets to breathe. Turning it into chores is just a habit we've all picked up, like we forgot how to sit still without feeling guilty. Cancel the dinner more often and I bet you'd remember how good a boring Tuesday night can feel.