Short-Timer’s Syndrome
Who's counting the days?
My memories of high school, and for that matter college, are pretty vague. I don’t actually remember doing any homework. But I do remember the paper my best friend and I forgot to do our senior year. Oops.
Luckily for us the teacher gave us an extension as long as we could write a good excuse for ourselves. My best friend was on the basketball team and their coach had just been caught having a sexual relationship with one of the other players, so she was excused easily. I, on the other hand, had no real excuse.
I just forgot. I was too caught up in thinking about prom, graduation, and the all night party. My best friend and I were going to room together in college, and we were busy planning how to decorate. School wasn’t really very high on our list.
So I wrote out an elaborate story about going back in time and meeting the people in history the paper was supposed to be about. The teacher loved it and excused it.
Then he told me I had Senioritis and I better be careful. Not all teachers are as understanding.
The same thing happened toward the end of college. I started sleeping in a little later and zoning out more in classes. I stayed up later at night hanging out with friends and reminiscing about our college days as if they were already over.
I thought it was just because the days were longer and it was light out later at night.
Then I was on the phone with my step-mom talking about graduation and she reminded me about high school.
I had Short-Timer’s Syndrome.
It’s the same thing as Senioritis, just for anytime after high school. She said that anytime something big is coming to an end we get antsy. It’s a difficult transition and we want to get past the hard part. And get to the party.
This time I can diagnose myself.
My job is about to end, my house is up for sale, and the date has been set for my move. I’m researching movers, and jobs and apartments in my soon-to-be new city.
Yup. Short-Timer’s has definitely set in.
The alarm clock seems louder in the mornings, and I have a harder time getting out of bed. I’m not putting as much time and effort into getting ready. Part of me is already gone.
On the weekends when I’m with my friends and family, the syndrome doesn’t flare up. It’s like time slows down and I can enjoy the time I have with the people I love.
But when Monday rolls around all I can see is that tunnel in front of me with the last day at the end. I am so excited to get where I’m going that I start to forget all the good things about where I’m at now.
So, for these last two weeks I’m going to try and find a remedy. I’m starting with a deep breath and a smile. I’m going to stop and enjoy the time with the co-workers I like and I’m going to live in the here and now.
It won’t stop me from being excited about my move or thinking about the road ahead. But, hopefully, it will make the transition smoother.
The only one that Short-Timer’s Syndrome hurts is me.
Have you ever experienced Short-Timer’s Syndrome? How do you focus on where you are and not just the future? Any tricks for not looking down that narrow tunnel?
I think we are all guilty of this. LOL!! I can often get caught up in “I can’t wait for…” and in doing so, I miss out on what’s right in front of me. Happens every year when hubby and I book our trip south. I think your post is an amazing reminder that in always looking to what’s coming, we miss the opportunity to enjoy the little things in the here and now. The fun that’s on its way will get here…so why not breath, relax and enjoy the moments in between…so true!
Thanks for the uberlicious reminder!
I never thought about it relating to everything, but you are so right! It even happens to me when I’m waiting for the next episode of a show I like. The only time that’s good is when the show is on Monday, so I have a reason to be happy about the weekend ending. Well, not happy, but it makes it easier. The moments in between, I love that. I’m going to relax and enjoy! Thank you.
i am so guilty of this. I’m fighting serious impatience for it to be about 5 years in the future. When my son goes to school and I’ll go to work or be a raging successful author and we’ll move house and …. yeah.
Thank you for this reminder this morning. Enjoy the moments. I am going to do that for the rest of this week.
You are so funny! I am in a big hurry to be five years ahead, too. So glad I’m not alone in that! I have a friend who is always telling me to slow down. I guess we don’t realize quite how ahead of ourselves we get, do we? I had a great day today when I focused on the now, even in rush hour traffic!
I’m guilty too! I am inpatient and sometimes fall in the trap of hurrying up to whatever it is I”m looking forward to.
Kind of like a kid on Christmas morning–I once opened all my presents before my parents got up. Yikes!
I think I’m making up for all the waiting I did as a kid. On Christmas I never go to open presents early. With my dad and step-mom, it was after breakfast. And with my mom, after Christmas dinner. Yes, at night. Maybe we need to live as if everyday is Christmas and each day is our gift. Too cheesy? I think I may have crossed a line.
I’m raising my hand for this one too. My husband and I are still in a bit of limbo because he’s in Canada with me now, but not yet in the job he wants. So money is tight and we’re not living where we want to and we spend a lot of time talking about what we’ll do “when” – when he gets that better job, when we can afford to buy a house, when, when, when. Thanks for a much needed reminder to enjoy the now.
Oh, yeah. Living for the when. Doesn’t it seem like that great thing we want is always ahead of us. Sometimes I think focusing on the little things helps. When all I want is a good cup of coffee, that when is easy to get. And then I enjoy it.
Me too! Me too! I am guilty of this right now. I try to remind myself the rewards of staying steady on the path and not rushing. It’s difficult when mentally you are so ready to move on. I need to remember to enjoy the moment, like Natalie points out.
You are right. It is hard to wait when we are ready. And I’m so ready! But, I’m still here so I might as well have a good time where I am, right?