It’s high time for an official “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” Appreciation Day. I bet you’re stunned that such a day doesn’t already exist. There’s a calendar for it. Tell me why not one little day?
After all, we have Towel Day, Lumpy Rug Day, and my new personal favorite, World Turtle Day. With days like Houseplant Appreciation Day (which also shares its day with Peculiar People Day, Cut Your Energy Costs Day, and Save the Eagles Day), you’re probably thinking do we really need another one of these types of days, Amy, that no one is even aware of until after it’s over?
I’d say there’s room. Think of this holiday as a day for you, like a birthday but without all the pressures and expectations, because let’s face it, not all of us want to turn another year older. Besides, every now and then, we need to cut ourselves a little slack or else we could burst under this constant pressure to perform, be informed, to initiate, and be on top of our game.
My vision is as follows and is quite simple, and mine may be different from yours. Your marker should always be this:
If it were the Zombie Apocalypse, would this really matter?
Check the Zombie Meter.
Socks and Clothing: Who Cares
First of all, take a look at this sock pile. With No Socks Day and Lost Sock Memorial Day, I’m taking this a step further by suggesting that if you want to wear socks just choose a mismatch. Any two socks will do. Don’t sweat it. I’m positive you can find a mismatch here.
Those lost socks are never coming back. They are not behind your dresser or your dryer. The trolls took them along with the caps of your pens (Right, Stephen?). Toss them all if that’s what you want to do, Lost Sock Memorial Day or not. Look the important thing here is that you call the shots!
If your clothes are dirty, you could a wear a sheet.
If you’re so inclined, just go sans clothing and paint yourself green.
Zombie Meter: Comfort is key.
Windows of Time
Don’t sweat it if you’re a few minutes late. No, you are not a failure because on this day, we think of everything in terms of windows of time. I’d say so long as you’re at your destination within a half hour window, you’re good.
Zombie Meter: It doesn’t matter so long as you’re alive.
Free Parking
Don’t have enough change for the meter, don’t sweat it. All parking is free on Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Day, including parking garages. If you can’t find a parking space, just park illegally. Why should we have to pay for rectangular space of asphalt in the first place?
Zombie Meter: You can park wherever you want.
No Tickets on Small Infractions, Including Parking
Of course, this goes without saying.
Zombie Meter: Doesn’t register, doesn’t exist.
Wild Outbursts of Song and Dance
We’re not sweating any small stuff, so it’s highly permissible to break out in wild laughter, singing, and dancing. Or, perhaps a yoga pose, meditation, or nap is more your style. There will no glaring or judgment cast.
Zombie Meter: Just don’t forget the zombies still exist.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Free Pass
To ensure that Don’s Sweat the Small Stuff is adequately celebrated, everyone is permitted a free pass at least once a month besides the normal appreciation day. Consider days in which you are experiencing the following:
Tangled Mind Syndrome (TMS): A perfect day to let it go.
No caffeine or an inadequate amount: There’s no telling what will go wrong. It’s best to bow out.
Significant changes in hormone levels: We must pace ourselves on these days.
Full moon: All bets are off.
I know I just barely scratched the surface here. Tell me what would be on your list. What small stuff are you not going to sweat about on this very special day?
photo credits: Steve Rhodes via photopin cc; shapeshift via photopin cc; blarfiejandro via photopin cc
I will not sweat my card getting declined in a store – I will just take the goods anyway, and the store will not sweat that because it’s Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Day. They will trust that I will come back another day to pay. I think that Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Day should be a lot about trusting – it doesn’t matter today, it can be resolved another day if it needs to be. I think the world will be a better place for it, and it will all be thanks to you Amy.
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Well my pleasure, Vanessa. I just want to make a difference in this world. Your idea is excellent! Trust, yes, I agree, should play a role. There’s always tomorrow, and if people trust they’re doing a good and decent thing, this will be a positive exchange. Excellent.
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I can’t think if anything because I’m suffering from TMS. ( like everyday!!)
Loved this!!
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You get a monthly pass, Audra. I know how you feel. Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Amy,
I think you’ve hit on something here. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Day has to be at least twice as important as Houseplant Appreciation Day (although for a lot of people who kill their plants, it’s more like Houseplant Memorial Day, when they go leave a pile of dead leaves on the Tomb of the Unknown Ficus).
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Day sounds like you should celebrate it by not buying anyone a card. Cards are what I hate most about holidays.
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Ha…I didn’t come across Houseplant Memorial Day, but of course this should follow. It’s obvious. I personally couldn’t celebrate that day as I usually kill all plants, which is why I have a few fake ones to make me feel better.
That’s the spirit, David. We don’t any more cards. Agree!
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I won’t sweat being the creepy girl in the elevator who stares at fellow passengers because she’s convinced they’re looking at her. Also, I’m totally having a party for Lumpy Rug Day this year.
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Katie, good for you. I just has a thought…The elevator could be a good place to strike a yoga pose, or meditate and channel the vibes of your fellow passengers. Lumpy Rug Day is cool, isn’t it? I never knew about it. I missed it! It’s definitely worth a celebration!
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I loved this post! That guy’s T-shirt or sack as we used to call those items – add World Carrot Day to your list to!
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Thank you! Does World Carrot Day not exist?! I’m in shock. It should added immediately. The bunnies will thank you. Who doesn’t enjoy a carrot?
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Who indeed!
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Oh my gosh, Amy – I LOVE THIS POST!!! Lost Sock Memorial Day is so up my alley. So is free parking day. Having the Zombie Meter to guide me, I will never again sweat the small stuff. Thank you, Amy. I’m gonna re-blog this. It’s so very worthy. 😀
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Lisa, THANK YOU!!! Oh, you made my day! Just don’t forget the Zombie Meter as your guide. It will never steer you wrong. Mark my word. Pretty soon, most everything will seem like small stuff. 🙂
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PS – I just re-read what I wrote and noticed I over used the word, “So.” But using the Zombie Meter – I’m not even gonna sweat it! Yay! It’s already coming in handy.
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See…there you go! Lisa, I’m so proud of you and so happy this is working for you. See, I used so, too. (And, See…See, so, I really don’t care).
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Reblogged this on A Gripping Life and commented:
Enjoy! This is Amy at her finest. 😀
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I love it. I like w/a husband and son who are both anxious at all levels and I’m pretty laid back…funny how my husband gets annoyed about the sock issue! I’m off to go break into a few yoga poses….thanks for the pass!
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Excellent, Robin! The sock issue will never go away, no matter hard you try. It’s those trolls, I tell you. Somehow they take over. I’m going to toss mine and feel really good about it. Then, I might do a yoga pose myself. Enjoy!!
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I am wearing mismatched socks as we speak
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Brava, LouAnn! I’m proud of you.
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Great post Amy.
I support wearing mismatched socks as long as you wear them with pants so nobody sees them and think you are crazier.
I have an OCD when it comes to socks, I seriously do, I get into details because it’s embarrassing, but let me tell you that I’ve gone as far as asking my BF to take his shoes off and put his socks right, they were a bit asymmetrical.
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Thank you. That’s pretty funny, Leo. This sounds serious. Hey, I totally understand if socks are not small stuff to you! Don’t worry. You don’t want to the upset the balance here. I think you’re entitled to throwing away all your loser, lonely socks. You do that!
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Not sweating the small stuff is too big a thing to just get one day.
really, it’s a lifestyle.
(I didn’t wear socks regularly til I ws in my 20s.)
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You’re very right. Most stuff is the small stuff! I figured that about you not wearing socks. Not surprised, Guap.
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Just so you know…that is definitely not Kermit. I have seen Kermit naked.
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Michelle, it can’t be easy being green…Oh, Kermie. I miss him.
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I love this post. The Zombie Meter is the bomb! When your in a mood, its golden Amy. Two years ago, my son actually declared August 13, Eamon’s Day. He said if Moms and Dads got days, he should too. I couldn’t argue the logic. I am passing your post along.
Love,
Shalagh
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Thanks, Shalagh. Sometimes, I am in the mood. I almost forgot to put in my Zombie Meter and did it at the end. I think it’s quite telling, don’t you? Good for little Eamon. He’s very clever. It doesn’t matter if the day is already chosen for something else, apparently.
Love, Amy
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It seems Eamon’s Day is also my girlfriends’ daughter’s birthday too so we’ll never forget her birthday. I wonder if it’s international volcano day or something as well. And yes, some days we’re clever and some days we ain’t.
Love back atcha,
Shalagh
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Shalagh,
FIRST it’s Eamon’s Day. Then it’s Chinese Valentine’s Day/Daughter’s Day (7th day of 7th Lunar Month) and Left Hander’s Day. So, Eamon doesn’t happen to be left-handed, does he? I must find out now.
Amy
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Ha, he actually said today how he wished he was left handed. Weird is fashionable ya’ know. Although I suspect Fiona may be lefty as she gnaws at her left paw. Chinese Valentines Day sounds promising. As does seeing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, lunar something or another noted.
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“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” Appreciation Day has just been added to my wall calender, Amy. Hang on – I don’t have a wall calendar…I’ve written it on the wall…yay, that’s what this day is all about! 😀
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Yay, Dianne! You said it perfectly. I don’t want you to write on your beautiful RUC walls though! 🙂
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No – it’s the rental house I’m living in while I’m waiting for the RUC to be finished (LOL) 😀
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Hahaha….very good!
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Okay… so I know I’m not supposed to care about this due to the celebration and all… but I’m just so curious… why is it that the sock troll always seems to take one of the newest socks? It seems like I’ve got messed-up pairs from like, 1984 – but the nice ones… not so much. Hmm… now I’m all distracted by this (I’m clearly going to make an easy target for the zombies)!
🙂
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Robert, I’ve never really examined this before until now. You’re absolutely right. The singles are the nice socks that you just bought. It never fails! It’s those trolls. I guess they know good quality. I think you can throw your old socks in the memorial, too! I usually don’t throw mine until they have holes and then I do not hesitate! Out they go! If you feel distracted and think zombies might be near, the more the reason to wear the mismatched. You will okay then.
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I’m getting my sheets out RIGHT NOW.
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Me too, Denise. That’s my favorite and would be my choice!
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Sure does put things in perspective, doesn’t it? All these mundane things we worry about now—will all be irrelevant when the zombies attack. That does make me feel better. I was going to fold some laundry, but you know what, screw it. If the zombies come, unfolded laundry will be the least of my problems. But I’ll need to be sufficiently caffeinated to run away, so I think I’ll just make more coffee now. Thank you for enabling us.
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Weebs, you know, it’s really gratifying to know that I enabled you. I have two piles of laundry that need folding and there they sit, because sometimes you have those days. Coffee is much more important. That’s the spirit. Even if the zombies don’t come today, it’s critical to be sufficiently caffeinated. I’m glad you have your priorities straight, Weebs.
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Generally, I’m not a sweet the small stuff type of guy … but everyone does sometime. However, I won’t paint myself green, but I love Socks Memorial Day.
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What about blue, Frank? I’m more about the sheet. Yes, I can’t believe I put up with all these socks day after day. It’s time for them to be put to rest. They did the best they could.
Amy
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We already don’t sweat the mismatched socks! It drives my husband crazy that our children are totally okay with wearing mismatched socks ALL the time! lol I was thrilled to get laundry done quicker! 😉
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That’s the spirit! It sure makes life easier when you relax about the little things. My son doesn’t go for a match either, just goes for the same color. It makes me think from now on I’ll just buy all solid white socks and nothing else! Even then, I bet it will hard to match them. So, it’s better if we just don’t sweat it. 🙂
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I won’t sweat it when my students don’t always get what I say at the beginning. Sometime down the road, I know that whatever they learn will click on in their head and it’ll make sense to them. English is a hard language to learn, especially when your language is so different.
David Stewart (greenwalledtower) was my link to this blog. I’ll watch this one more. 🙂
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Hi, Miles! I understand English is one of the hardest languages to learn with all of our exceptions to the rules. I think you have a proper attitude. What is the first language of your students?
I love David Stewart’s work! He’s an exceptional writer. Welcome to my my blog. I hope you’ll return!
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Korean. David and I are fellow teachers in the same area of Korea. 🙂
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I thought as much! I bet it’s a challenge to teach English. I wish I could speak another language. I just speak boring, difficult English.
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Hmm, Green naked man intrigues me. I think I really am losing it. I would not sweat flossing (something I am generally obsessed with); make up; and I would eat whatever the hell I want, all day. All. Day. Whatever I want…. hmm, things are looking smaller already! Fun, fun!
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Haha super funny post! I am so happy I stumbled upon this today! Great stuff! 🙂
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Thank you! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll come back.
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