What Are You Doing This Weekend?

Every so often, Modern Philosophers, I get bored with being a quirky, reclusive, introvert, so I put on my social butterfly costume and mingle with other people.

This generally leads to my being asked the inevitable…

What are you doing this weekend?

Apparently, social people use this question as a test to see if you are really one of them.  Then they use your answer to decide if you’re the sort of person who gets to join their clan and engage in merriment and shenanigans on a regular basis.  A party people pop quiz so to speak.

At least that’s how I think it works.

I’m not sure, though, since I’m a quirky, reclusive, introvert.

Whenever someone asks me how I plan to spend the weekend, my eyes light up with excitement as I quickly share my To Do List for a perfect Saturday and Sunday…

Run, read, write, relax, recover, and recharge.

Maybe I have a thing for alliteration.  Perhaps I’m just a simple guy.

Or, it could just be that I know how to have a kick ass weekend.

I’m going to be honest, after a long, grueling work week catering to the needs of others, I want to get away from people and spend some quiet time doing things that bring me joy.

If looking forward to reading a good book, getting some exercise, and finally spending some time doing the thing I love, aka writing, makes me a weirdo introvert who’s never going to find someone because all I ever do is hide out all by myself, then so be it.

The weekend is my time.

No one’s paying me for those hours, so I get to decide how they are spent.

For the record, I don’t see it as hiding out from the world and purposely sabotaging my quest to find true love.  It is simply much needed me time.

If I’m ever going to be the kind of person who turns on the charm and socializes on a regular basis, then I need my weekends to build myself back up after being besieged and belittled all week.

Life knows how to deliver a beating without leaving any marks that you can report to the authorities.  So you’ve got to take care of yourself and unplug from the chaos whenever you have the opportunity.

Sure, I miss waking up next to someone and knowing that I’m loved, but there’s also something to be said for waking up alone, being able to stretch out across the big bed, and know that no one has any say over how I’m going to spend my day.

By kicking off the day with a run, I get my blood flowing, feel good about how I’ve decided to focus on taking better care of myself, and can use the time on the road to plot out whatever writing I plan to do for the day.

Sometimes, when I am out doing something healthy all by my lonesome, I run into a pretty neighbor, who insists on sending me home with homemade baked goods.  In fact, such a thing happened to me just this afternoon…

Thank you, Joy, for the yummy cake.  I cannot wait to enjoy it tonight when I’m curled up on the couch watching the movie of my choice.

If you don’t see that as a perfect Saturday night, then maybe you’re the quirky oddball!

So I guess what I’m trying to say here, Modern Philosophers, is that it’s okay to be you.

Don’t let society pressure you into thinking you need to be someone you’re not just so you’ll fit in better with the other bees in the hive.

Party people can be the life of the party.  That’s their right, and I like knowing that they are out there blowing off some steam after a tough week.

I’m content being the wallflower who doesn’t wander too far from the punch bowl.  After all, I need to keep hydrated for my runs.  Plus, the vantage point allows me to better observe the world around me, so I can better portray it in my stories.

Furthermore, if I keep an eye on what’s going on around me, it lessens the chances of life sneaking up on me to kick me in the ass when I least expect it.

When I’m ready, and with a little help from the Fates, I will finally find that special someone.  When I do, I will work up the courage to ask her…

What are you doing this weekend?

And hopefully, her plans will be to spend some time with me…