All my life, I have prioritized work, responsibility, and made sacrifices to be intentional about my day. But you know what? I’ve not made enough time to laugh, play, and have fun.

When I do have free time, I fill it up with chores, work around the house, writing my next book, pretty much anything but taking time to have fun.

Honestly, I regret that.

If I see my life through balance, I would say that I’ve weighted things too much on the “be responsible” side. When I look back, it’s easy to see why.

Have you done this same thing?

Have you taken on more responsibility than you thought you should because “somebody has to do it,” or you feel obligated?

In an alcoholic or dysfunctional family, one person takes on the work of the absent parent. Is that you?

If you could do anything you wanted today (that wasn’t working), what would that be?

Would you read a good book? Take a nap in the afternoon? Paint a picture? Do some yoga? Walk the dog? Go on a hike. Listen to music. Build a chair. Knit a scarf. Watch a movie. Plant a flower.

What activities do you think are fun?

Why are you not making time to relax and recharge? Are you afraid that something bad will happen if you don’t do all the work? Do you think that your household will "fall apart” without you putting so much work into things?

The truth is that your house will be fine. It may not be as clean or as organized as you might like, but often we fool ourselves into thinking you’re indispensable as it fills a hole in us.

If we stopped running at 110%, that might make us feel or think of things that we don’t want to admit. Or maybe it’s our way of coping with the fear of abandonment, so many adult children of alcoholics struggle with?

Whatever the reason, why not take time today, and every day, and designate a portion of it for fun.

For you.

Can you do that?

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.