I've had enough with the crappy euphemisms. To me, in many cases, it seems like a concealed jab or attempt to shame. Perhaps it's an attempt to one-up someone else. A "If I can do it so can everyone else" mentality. Let me give you an example, "If it's important to you, you'll find a way!" or "What's your excuse!?" I admit, these can be true. Sometimes. Not always.
There are many things that are important to me. Spending time with my kids, going to work, going to my other job, keeping the house clean, cooking healthy meals, getting the kids to their activities, spending time with friends, spending time with my husband, being creative, getting the laundry done, exercising, reading, etc. The list goes on and on for most of us. All of those things are important to me but there are only twenty-four hours in a day. That doesn't leave enough time for even a fraction of what needs to get done. So when someone posts a meme that says, "If it's important to you, you'll find a way!" I just shake my head and keep scrolling.
Then there is, "What's your excuse!?" This one is usually in reference to exercise. I would love to exercise consistently. However; it would entail getting up around 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning which would then mean that I was not getting enough sleep to make it through the day. Again, I reference the fact there are only 24 hours in a day. So something has to give and exercise is the first to go. I know myself and if I don't get enough sleep then it is a rough day for all.
I can hear the comments now, "She's just making excuses, if it was important to her - she'd find a way!" Sometimes that is true. Other times, when I have that rare free moment, I just want to sit and be still. Which brings me to the idea that I think many of us could benefit from more still moments instead of "finding a way" to fit it all in. It becomes hard to have those still moments when euphemisms are thrown around haphazardly as if one is not doing enough.
I, for one, am going to make an attempt at not throwing these crappy euphemisms around anymore. Care to join me?
A version of this post originally ran on It's Really 10 Months. You can also find Kim on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Kim Schenkelberg: Although sarcasm is often her tone, she counts on her friends to know that underneath it is a caring soul. Kim obtained her master's degree in social work soon after she delivered her first child. She practices in the fields of domestic adoption and mental health therapy. Kim co-authored a book It's Really 10 Months: Delivering the Truth About the Glow of Pregnancy and Other Blatant Lies. Kim is a stepparent to two quickly growing boys. She has two daughters and one son with her husband. Lord help them. This is one crazy busy clan of seven! You can find Kim on social media sites @itsreally10months.