My plans this evening had included tackling my ironing.  You see, as I schlog through the weekly laundry, I stack all items that need ironing in one basket, then choose an evening to set up my ironing board in front of the tv and plow through it all.  We Real Women all have different processes for this chore. Some iron as needed. Some never iron.  Me, I bulk up and wade through.

However, after getting through a typical Monday work day, then my workout, then getting dinner done, my energy level and desire to tackle the ironing faded.  I could practically hear it beckoning to me, mocking me.  And I know the longer I put it off, the bigger the stack grows and the more arduous the task will be.

But after years of always biting off more than I can chew on my To Do lists, I have finally begun to learn the art of letting go a little bit.  I’m learning that it is ok to give myself a pass sometimes.  Will anyone’s life be in jeopardy if I don’t do this one task tonight?  Nope.  It will still be there waiting tomorrow.  I am also fairly confident that each of us in the household still has at least one non-wrinkled outfit hanging in our closets to wear tomorrow, so there is no fear of any of us having to go naked.

So instead, I am going to be happy that I managed to do the dishes and cleared off the table.  I have stepped around the clothing pile, and am settled in with my feet up, my laptop on, doing some blogging and online shopping, with The Voice on for entertainment.  Besides, Adam Levine is far more pleasant to look at than my ironing board.  I’m even considering getting a little dish of FroYo.  In the past, not doing what I’m “supposed” to be doing would have driven me a little crazy.  But now, I’m ok with it.  And I’m thinking that perhaps what I decided to do instead really is what I’m supposed to be doing.  I know my back is saying thank you.

Go ahead – grant yourself a pass.  What are you going to let yourself give up today?