The Errand Boy

Smallsteps and I haven't had an *Adventure Friday* trip for a *very long time,* because she had activities on Friday evening, making it impossible. We did a few other day adventures, but it just wasn't the same. However, after she finished school today and arrived home, I took her on an "adventure" to a carwash, which is something I haven't used in *years.* I normally handwash our car, or at the most, take it to one of the self-washing places at the local supermarket if need of just a spray down. The carwash prices here are *crazy.* ---  --- However, I saw a deal through the supermarket app for three "best" car washes for the price of one, and decided to pick it up. So, we went to the carwash and it took *thirteen minutes* to wash the car. I think I could have done it at home in less time than that, but of course, I would have had to actually do it, plus get all the equipment out and put it all away again. Still, was it worth it? > Not really. But, since I don't care that much about cars, a *pretty good* wash is close enough in my books, and since I also did a whole lot of other things today, it was okay to spend the time with Smallsteps, *shouting* over the carwash machine. As you can see from the picture, she is not a fan of the noise. But, it was a bit of fun and we discussed the different bits of the machine and how they might have designed it and had some interesting conversations, and laughs. > In this way, it was definitely worth it. Since I am not working that much, I have turned into an unappreciated errand boy around the house, doing the shopping and some cooking, and cleaning the house, laundry, the garden and whatever else has to be done. I am now a househusband. Yet, I am still working daily, just not as much as before. I was doing all of these house things before too and was working very long hours, now, it is just normal hours. It isn't bad, but it is definitely a lot of work that is taken for granted. In a couple weeks I am booked to have surgery (fasciotomy) on both of my legs, which I am *not* looking forward to. I have never had surgery before, but they aren't even putting me out for this - it will be an epidural. It gives me shivers. However, I am hoping that once recovered, the pain in my legs will at least subside, and I will be able to walk faster than a snail, and perhaps start jogging and running again. I want to be more mobile and dynamic in my movements, yet my body is holding me back. > My mind too. I was talking to a friend who is struggling and how everything just kind of hit at the same time, with her being made redundant, her cat being killed by a neighbour's dog, and her struggling to find her place in the world. She doesn't have children, but probably wanted them, but now it is too late. I think she is going through an existential mid-life crisis. >Sometimes, the things we thought we wanted in life, don't suit us at all. As I said to her; a lot of the challenges we have with work is that we expect it to deliver more than just a job for money. If money is our goal, we likely have to expect that the job isn't going to deliver life value directly. If we are looking for a job that does, we probably have to accept that there might not be a lot of money in it. Often, we expect results that just aren't possible given the conditions. I don't know if the surgery is going to help, but everything else I have tried over the years to correct the problem haven't helped either. Yet, if I am to live a few decades more, I want it to be spent being able to at least work normally. And, if I do survive and want my older age to be healthy, I can't wait until then to start getting healthy. Let's say I want to be ably to lift up a grandchild when I am seventy five, what do I have to be able to do now? And in ten years from now. and in another ten? > Quality of life doesn't just happen. There is a whole lot of errands that need to be run in order to build it, develop it, and maintain it. The longer we put tasks off, the more potential gets taken off the table. Taraz [ Gen1: Hive ] --- **Be part of the Hive discussion.** - Comment on the topics of the article, and add your perspectives and experiences. - Read and discuss with others who comment and build your personal network - Engage well with me and others and put in effort **And you may be rewarded.** ---