52 LISTS FOR CALM | 36 Do NOT Do

LIST 36 | List the things you have been told not to do.

I was one of the last in a generation of those told to be seen and not heard, as well as a number of other parenting beliefs that were detrimental to a whole cohort of (now) rebellious and overly permissive adults. I believe it was a big contributor to the idea that “I want what I want when I want it and I deserve it, so I will have it” attitude so pervasive in our world.

The list of my personal “nots” are endless, here are the highlights:

• Do not pursue my passion for tennis
• Do not be so sensitive
• Do not go to Ryerson for journalism
• Do not date anyone I ever dated for no reason provided
• Do not have the baby
• Do not invest in Apple, Microsoft or Amazon
• Do not marry him (perhaps I might have heeded this one!)
• Do not buy the house I want, buy the house my boss chose instead
• Do not have another baby, or the third, or the fourth
• Do not trust your instincts
• Do not go back to work
• Do not cry
• Do not force them for the tests
• Do not divorce him
• Do not write the book you have in your heart
• Do not invest in Tesla
• Do not live with him
• Do not love him with your whole heart

Sometimes the do not directive came from a parent, sometimes a friend or family member, an expert of some kind. Sometimes the do not directive came from me.

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Moorea Seal is back with more lists! I am giddy with anticipation. I participated in her original 52 Lists project here on the blog back in 2016 and her 52 Lists for Happiness in 2017. I’ve missed the practice and thought it would be fun to participate in her 52 Lists for Calm for 2020. I’m looking forward to what I might discover – or remember! Join me?