So I got thinking today as a colleague waited to find out if she got a position, that anticipation can be a good thing and it can also be an agonizing thing!
For me, I am the kind of person that needs something to look forward to. No life isn't that bleak that I need milestones to get me through but it is just how I have always been. I am excited by events and look forward to things and get excited by being able to look forward to something. There are people in my life such as my mother and even Pete who aren't overly excitable and just take things as they come and enjoy them when they arrive but not really the lead up to the event as much.
A friend's mother once said: Anticipation is half the fun! I have never forgotten this but as I look around, that isn't always the case! In instances such as waiting on medical results or waiting to see if you did get that job you really really want, the anticipation is a bit painful and agonizing in those situations...which equals not a lot of fun!
So anticipation really can be tricky! Now for me, I got so excited about the lead up to things I couldn't sleep when I was younger such as the first day of school (yes I was a geek), Christmas morning, the last day of school....those were the big things in life at that age and I waited and waited and anticipated and waited some more! The really tricky part though about anticipation is wishing something would arrive, it does and then what? You are left with some memories but it is now over...all that waiting and build up to have time pass you right by and the anticipation for that one thing must cease! It is almost like a balloon being deflated.
That is the thing with anticipation, whatever you are waiting for will eventually come and well, then it is over!
Not everyone looks at things that way but like I said, I need me some stuff to look forward to. It doesn't have to be huge stuff like a trip but even a busy weekend or in some cases, a not busy weekend but I like to have something on the go in the near future! I am not sure what to even call this, is it a personality trait? Am I lacking something in day to day life? Do I just like to be excited and hopeful for the future? I am not sure but I am happy the way I am, in this regard. I like being excited about stuff instead of being hum drum about things...again there are bad types of anticipation but I sure do enjoy the good ones!!
Things I am currently anticipating:
Weekend away to Cape Breton
Weekend at home for Easter
Fun work trip at the end of April
Cruise in May
Trip to Toronto in June
Wedding and bridal shower of a friend in July
My bridal shower/bachelorette and our wedding in August
Our honeymoon in late November
Now of course spontaneity is great too, don't get me wrong. I do love it when fun things (not bad things) pop up suddenly and life takes a different turn! That is really fun too and I enjoy that as well because that is what makes life complete...some expected but also some unexpected to keep things exciting and fun!
Are you someone who prefers to enjoy stuff in the moment it happens or enjoy the lead up to the moment as well? Both are fine, but it is just interesting how everyone has a different approach!
I must end though with something my dad always says as well which is: "Don't wish your life away!"
This is a great point for me being such an anticipator because that is how it seems when you are always waiting for something to happen....
Until next time...xoxo
You and I are very much alike when it comes to this, I love having things to look forward to and be excited about! It's become even more so for me in the past few years since it's a lot easier to deal with missing people you love who are far away when you have the next visit in mind. Also, I was one of those nerds who couldn't sleep the night before the first day of school, too! HA. Back to school was probably actually partly responsible for my love of planning future events, I spent half of my summer planning for back to school, hassling my mom to take me shopping for school supplies, etc etc. lol! xo.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a lot like you... Right now I've got a lot to look forward to: 22-hour cruise with a friend tomorrow! A night out with Jani on this weekend and an evening together @ Spa next week, trip to Budabest with my dad in May, 6,5 weeks summer vacation starting in June, including a (2,5weeks) holiday in Spain... :) I also kinda enjoy that disconfort that eg. waiting to hear if a got a job I wanted or not. Last time this was the case I was a total mess, it was so hard to wait to hear the answer, but this kind of "pain" is kinda sweet, makes you feel 150% alive. :)
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