I DON’T WANT TO!
And When Did That Become an Unacceptable Answer?

Writing a post isn’t what I want to do.

I’m forcing myself to do it, as it’s on my list for this week, and that list isn’t going to check itself off.

But, I really don’t want to.

And isn’t that enough of a reason? Why do we constantly put pressure on ourselves to do things we just don’t want to do?

Is it for other people?

Keeping up appearances?

Staving off the bill collectors?

Everyone has different reasons for doing the things the just don’t want to do. For some, it could be fear. For some it could be procrastination. For some, it could be a mechanism of control. For some, it’s because they’re stuck without enough info to do the thing, and they don’t want to start the process of finding the info.

There are a ton of reasons why people don’t want to do something (anything.)

And they’re all valid.

Why do we continually fight being honest about the things we do and don’t want?

Isn’t that the “why” in why we do what we do – in life and in work?

If you’re asked or expected to do something and your answer is “I really don’t want to,” the reception is almost universally negative.

If you’re asked or expected to do something and your answer is a “valid” excuse or something that the other person can understand – they accept the answer.

Isn’t “I don’t want to” a valid answer?

Yes. Yes it is. Sorry I’m asking so many questions. I’d do better – but I don’t want to.

“I don’t want to” isn’t an excuse – and if it’s the truth, there is no reason for that not to be an acceptable answer to any request.

At the same time, you have to examine why you don’t want to do it. If you’re doing it to avoid or to hurt or to pass accountability, then you need to be honest with that and with yourself.

If you don’t want to do it because it just doesn’t fit with you or your plans for your life, then… you’re not lazy or avoiding or hurting. You’re being real and honest and protective of your time and psyche.

And if people want to get bent over that…

Fuck ‘em. They’re not owed an explanation beyond “I don’t want to.”

So – there. I didn’t want to write, but I wrote.

SUCK IT, LIST!!!