348. Listen to Yourself

As I’ve noted in a few previous blog posts, I’ve tried to do better about listening to myself. It hasn’t always worked, but I’m getting there. Yesterday, I wanted to get my haircut after work. Getting my haircut calms me down in a weird way. Even though my hair isn’t long, I can feel it when it gets slightly out of control. I can’t relax. I feel like a mess. I used the Great Clips App. I thought I’d be OK because I checked in just as I was getting on the bus at 4:45. It said I had about 22 minutes to wait before I got my haircut. I got there just after 5 p.m., but it said that I still had a 17 minute wait. The person who checked me in said it would still be about a 20 minute wait. Not great logistics, Great Clips.

I thought about just skipping out and heading home. I had some errands to run and I wanted to get home quickly. I decided to stick it out. I knew I wanted a haircut and I’d be even more upset if I didn’t get one because I’d feel gross and I knew I’d have to come back later to get one done. I felt good, even if it took a little bit of time.

Later in the evening, as I was heading out to go see a Minnetonka basketball game, I stopped at TJ Maxx to pick up the last part of my present for my Secret Santa. I had a heck of a time trying to find what I was looking for. That was when I remembered that they kept the gift I was giving near the checkout, which is kind of weird if you ask me. I was wondering around for about 15 minutes. I was hoping it’d be a quick in and out procedure, but it wasn’t. That was sort of frustrating. But I held out and I knew I was going to get something because I didn’t want to do anymore shopping.

It has sort of come down to asking myself what I want. When I’ve been faced with a decision lately, I silently ask myself that question. Usually the first thing that comes up is the correct answer. I was watching Netflix yesterday when I made it through two episodes of the show I was watching. I asked myself if I wanted to watch a third episode, but I knew I wanted to go to bed. It’s good to know your own limits.

I’ve tried to use this question to define some of my other relationships as well. It’s had some good results. I had an online discussion with a friend of mine a few weeks ago and we talked about this very subject. We often don’t listen to ourselves and what we want. Granted, we don’t always get what we want, but it sure is nice to strive for that exact thing. I want to improve on that in the new year.