My Calendar: The Enemy of My Freedom
Most people celebrate a full calendar as a sign of productivity and purpose. I see it as a threat to my freedom. Here’s why every appointment—no matter how small—feels like a disruption to the life I actually want to live
You know what one of my pet peeves is? Appointments. Any item in a calendar, really. Maybe that’s why I’ve always felt uneasy about most holidays, except Christmas. Since I was a kid, and even now, I find myself looking forward to Christmas every single month. Not because of the shopping or the seasonal frenzy, but because of what it represents: the chance to get together with family, hang out, share meals, and just be with each other. That kind of connection is what I love most.
Back to appointments and anything else that fills a calendar.
I like birthdays. I like anniversaries. But I dislike appointments and deadlines. I just do.
People say that freedom is waking up every day and doing what you want, and I agree. So if you have something in your calendar dictating what you’ll do that day, then you’re not really free. At least, that’s how I feel.
This week, I finally stopped procrastinating about renewing my Global Entry ID card. It expires this summer, and to my surprise, after submitting my renewal application, I got a notification that I needed to schedule an interview, either in person or via Zoom.
So for a few days, that new item in my calendar... a 9:30 AM interview on June 6, gave me anxiety. At least, I think that’s what the feeling was. Really, it just felt uncomfortable, because I knew I couldn’t do what I love doing on Friday mornings: going to my favorite coffee shop and writing, as I’m doing right now.
Why do I feel this way about appointments?
Earlier this week, I had a dentist appointment, and the feeling was the same. Every time I look at my work calendar, it’s the same story. Even though some meetings are helpful and necessary, I still feel unhappy just seeing those items in the calendar.
It feels like something or someone else owns my time and will, that day at that time. And I don’t like that. I know, there are bigger problems to worry about, but this is important to me.
I don’t mean to be disrespectful to toddlers, but I do sound like one, right?complaining about something that isn’t all that bad.
Most people I know brag about their packed calendars and how their lives are filled with appointments and events. I prefer a clean canvas to paint on each day. I like leaving as much as I can to serendipity.
I get that in the modern world, appointments and scheduled events help individuals and businesses manage their time. I really do. But I still don’t like it.
I’ll keep working toward my goal of avoiding appointments as much as possible, though I know it’ll always be an uphill battle for me.
Oh, and by the way, I have another dentist appointment later this month. Ugh 😫.
