I Just Want My (Boring) Life Back

The past few weeks have been busy with family and travel—events both happy and sad. We are on a brief lull at home before we leave again to travel to Maine for a college reunion. Not long after that, I will go back to New England for another happy event. Pack and unpack.

I am basically a Hobbit—one who likes routine and familiar places. I am happy at home. I like my exercise classes, my golf games, our walks around the neighborhood, my shopping, cooking, and routine chores. I have often said to members of my family: “Boring is good.” According to astrology, I am a Libra, symbolized by scales that must be kept in balance. Too much of anything is not good. I don’t like drama, and I don’t like extremes.

All right, so I’m lacking in spontaneity. I am predictable, but life is messy and unpredictable. Surprising things are bound to happen and make me uncomfortable. I cannot plan for everything, try as I may. I could not be an ER doc or a triage nurse. I’d never make it as a trouble shooter or an EMT. You might attribute my attitude to getting old, but no, I have always been like this.

As I was sitting in a hotel room a few days ago, not knowing if we were going back home or staying longer, I could not help but think: “I just want my boring life back.”