One Hour Please!

Each phase of life has its own priority. I won’t drag you back to toddlerhood—let’s be honest, it’s a bit far away now—but we can start with the teenage years. Ah, the glory days, when life revolves around friends, school troubles, detention slips, and sneaking out of the house to meet your crush. You’re busy daydreaming about your first date and that awkward first kiss, thinking it’s the start of your romance novel.

Then, bam! You’re in your twenties, and suddenly it’s all about being independent, crushing your goals, and proving to the world (or at least yourself) that you’re destined for greatness. You’re rushing through university, desperate to land a job and conquer the universe—because clearly, it’s counting on you to achieve greatness.

Before you know it, you’re in your thirties or forties, contemplating starting a family and wondering if you’ve found ‘The One’ or if your soulmate is stuck in traffic. Life feels like a speeding train, and you’re standing on the platform, waiting for your next adventure. You’re brimming with energy, ambition, and dreams, excelling at work and aiming for that promotion or building your own company. We’re all rooting for you.

Amidst the chaos, love strikes! You meet your other half and start planning a wedding. (Thanks a lot, fairy tales, for setting the bar so high.) You’ve been mentally planning this day since you were a kid, and now it’s happening! You’re married, and soon, wonderful little humans enter the scene. You and your partner try to build the perfect family—except no one mentioned that “perfect” is a total myth and kids come with a side of chaos.

Life gets really challenging, and responsibilities pile up like laundry. Sometimes, you wonder if you can keep it all together. But hey, you’re strong, and you’ll make it through.

With age comes wisdom, they say, and suddenly the simple things in life become as valuable as diamonds. Like finding an hour to yourself—what a luxury! Whether it’s sipping coffee and eating a slice of chocolate cake (which, let’s face it, we all know boosts the mood) or just doing something that makes you happy, self-care is the name of the game. It’s crucial for those delightful mood swings—you know, the ones where you’re laughing one minute and crying the next, while your spouse looks on in bewildered horror—poor guy.

One of the best gifts I give myself? I dropped my son off at his activities and got some peace by reading in the car. But today, I decided to treat myself and hit up my favorite coffee shop. The place was practically empty—jackpot! I should’ve wished for a million dollars. I ordered my coffee and cake and settled in to read, only to be interrupted by two ladies having a loud conversation. But here’s the kicker: they weren’t even sitting together! No, they were on opposite sides of the café, hollering about potty training and nap schedules. And me? I was stuck in the middle of their loud toddler talk, unable to escape or join in (obviously, it’s not my conversation).

I shot them my best “fiery death stare,” but they didn’t notice. Instead, their toddlers ran around, turning the café into a playground, smashing cookies, and singing lullabies at the top of their lungs. I’ve been there, done that, and earned the T-shirt, but I wasn’t about to offer spontaneous advice. I was this close to losing it. So, I slammed my book shut, threw them a look that could melt steel, packed up my things, and stormed out. My “me time” was officially over.

I walked back to my car with my coffee, smiling sarcastically, and got comfy in the driver’s seat. I finally enjoyed some peaceful reading until it was time to pick up my son from football practice.

As we age, we learn the fine art of avoidance. We avoid people we don’t enjoy, ignore awkward situations, and choose peace over conflict. Because who needs the drama?

Nada Najjar