People usually look at giving up like it’s a bad thing.
Not me.
Sure, at times there’s something to be said for persistence, but on the flip side there’s also something to be said for knowing when it’s time to throw in the towel.
“Never give up,” they’ll say.
Never?
That’s ridiculous.
Sometimes giving up is the smart, reasonable, downright necessary thing to do, and honestly, I do it all the time in just about every aspect of my life.
I’ve given up at home, mostly with the laundry.
Oh, the laundry.
Ah! The Laundry!
GAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! LAUNDRY!!!!
I think we all have things in our lives that can be a source of discontent to varying degrees. For me it’s the God-forsaken laundry, and I’m not exactly sure why. I just hate it. If I had to guess it’s because it’s so perpetual and I’m never caught up – ever.
As you may remember, it’s been the source of some bad poetry, an e-card or two that I’ve written, and of course there’s stuff like this that I’ve been known to do.
At least it’s clean and folded?
(Don’t answer that)
And that’s not the only thing around the house that I’ve given up on.
With three kids, I’m pretty much convinced that it will be decades before I can have anything nice. For now, I’m barely distressed that most of my furniture looks shabby chic. Get it?
No, no. There’s no reason to feel bad about all the scratches and dents when I can easily just give up and start covering my stuff in vinyl.
Yes, like Grandma.
Last year, after fearing the destruction of my nice kitchen table, I began buying vinyl tablecloths. This last one was all the store had in my table’s size. It’s ugly, matches nothing, and is covered in cocks (thanks, Kelly Anne for pointing that out on FB)…but it cleans easily and without damage to the table so I don’t care.
Of course, even the vinyl looks good compared to what I did to the couch one day. This one might be tap dancing on a fine line between giving up and breaking down.
But it doesn’t end with my stuff. Some people might argue that I’ve given up on myself too. That’s what one Facebook follower said when I put up this status on Tuesday: Yoga pants are the new black.
Many of you agreed with me, but of course many of you have a sense of humor.
One person, however, told me what needed to be said, which was that I should “get dressed” because no “diva” dresses in Yoga Pants.
Bitch, please.
So I took her thoughtful advice and I went yesterday in search of something that would still give me comfort, but be a little more diva-like (ha, ha I can’t even type that without laughing).
I wonder what she’ll think when she sees me in my brand new Pajama Jeans.
Cause let’s be serious, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing when you’re scrubbing toilets and battling the monster laundry pile.
And honestly, giving up never felt so good.
What about you? Do you ever give up? Leave me a comment and let me know! I love hearing from you!
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“Bitch, please.” Oh, how I love you.
Signed,
Giving Up In Illinois
Kerry, I can’t tell you how many times I said those words to myself as I “take care of” people who essentially show up to rain on my parade. I think of myself as the Teddy Roosevelt of FB Admins…speak softly, carry a big stick (read: delete, ban).
And by the way, LOOOOOOOVE your Dickie post. Long live the Dickie!
From laundry to dishes (yes i even have a dishwasher) to making dinner and cleaning the house , i give it a nice dash of fuckitol everyday , with four kids and a full grown man child, it has to be done lol 2 step kids with adhd one kid autistic and a toddler .. its necessary ! Yoga pants i wear em , pajama jeans wish i owned them ! No no ‘s and sham wows shtickys for that shedding pussy ! ok enough with infomercials but seriously yea have to give up , sometimes giving up fucks u in the rear liek my kids think its time to party down when they know i dont care but hell everyone (us moms) need a break lol
Love your infomercials! Haha! And YES, we do need a break! Now if I can just find someone to cut me one!
I gave up on being cool a long time ago. Embrace dorkiness.
I gave up on trying to keep the house clean, clean. Sort of clean is ok with me now.
Yeah, cool is not my thang. I mean, I’m a Mom, so that’s pretty much an oxymoron right? And writing oxymoron made me think of Oxiclean which pretty much is the last nail in the cool coffin.
And I’m totally down with “sort of” too …you know I’m not judging 🙂
Sometimes giving up is the only way to not have to give up your sanity.
And, “Bitch, please!” just might be my favorite part of this post … and that’s saying a lot because I loved you flying the bird at the laundry and the toilet scrubbing pose in pajama jeans is just delightful.
This is a perfect comeback to someone who’s given up on their sense of humor!!
I’d like to totally agree with your comment, but I’m not sure that lady had a sense of humor to lose in the first place 🙂 Those sorts of people remind me to be thankful that I don’t have to walk this earth without one!
But I do agree with throwing in the towel to salvage your sanity. If I didn’t give up every day, I’d be completely insane at this point. Thankfully, I’m brave enough to do it day in and day out 🙂
I want some pajama jeans! My baby bites my couch, and its microfiber so shows all water stains and rings. I have rings and rings and rings of baby bites all about the height of a walking tot. Its super chic.
I kept saying I wanted Pajama Jeans and not one single person ever bought them for me…after the yoga pant bashing, I knew I had to have a pair – I’m not gonna lie, I’ll be wearing these bad-boys around this Fall/Winter for sure!
And don’t worry about the mouth-ring stains on the couch; soon your baby will be bigger and you’ll notice the stains growing taller too. 🙂
Lol! I have a friend who isn’t even a mom that wears yoga style pants to work every day. And no she doesn’t teach yoga…she is a production director for a publishing company. Several years ago she realized no one noticed what style pants she wore if she paired them with a dressy, untucked top.
Rock on! I think comfortable people are productive people! Well, maybe not me and the laundry, but I bet I’d be moving a lot slower in tight, uncomfortable pants! I’m gonna work on sprucing up my top half and see if anyone notices my pants too!
Pfffft, I gave up on my house about 3 years ago. Why yes, I do have a 2.5 year old toddler. We have stacks of unfolded laundry on the bed in the guest room (what guests? ain’t nobody seeing my house), a tired and overworked dishwasher, and cat fur balls the size of tumbleweeds. I figure it’ll be this way until she’s in college or my husband lets me hire a cleaner.
Cleaning after a toddler is as perpetual and futile as the laundry…maybe worse! Glad you’re smart enough to give up too!
I like to think of my house like it’s in the mountains. This is because I have mountains IN my house-of laundry, of dishes, and so forth… Breathe in that mountain air! *cough*
DEEP BREATH – *Cough, Cough* Yeah, that’s perfect. I have mountain air too! Thanks, Sarah!
I love the picture of the couch – fabulous, in every way!!
Thanks, Ronnie! My favorite part was that it worked! lol
I knew there was a reason I liked you so much! My couch is covered in (folded) laundry, but has been that way for two days. I just keep pulling clean clothes from there rather than the closet. My kitchen table is ALWAYS covered in some ugly vinyl tablecloth because my kids tend to destroy stuff. I just fold it up and chuck it every few months when it starts to fall apart and is covered in magic marker. I haven’t tried pajama jeans yet, but that’s only because I barely wear jeans. I just might have to try them now.
My couch is clear for 0-2 days a week. The rest of the time it looks like this. I start the piles, which are all sorted by person/shirts/pants/pj’s/undies/socks, and I only put them away once a week. The rest of the time the kids, husband and I get new clothes from the drawers or find our respective piles on the couch-of-shame. And I do the same thing with the table cloths! We get a new one every 2-3 months, some even worse looking than the stained/falling apart one I just took off (as photoed above)….and DO IT with the Pajama Jeans! People will totally think you made the switch! Fanciest cotton blend pants I’ve ever worn!
I’m not ready to give up, mostly because I have yet to start trying. I’ll try for a few days and then happily grab my pajama jeans.
PS I love you and your jammy jeaned booty.
You’re at a great advantage to many – without trying, but knowing how great giving up is, you might never have to give it a go in the first place!
And I think we need to start a Givin’ Up Club where we can all sit around eating bon-bons, drinking wine and chillin’ in our pajama jeans!
I’ve given up so many things that it would take me days to write the list. Instead, I’ll tell you what I haven’t given up on: cake, chocolate, chocolate cake, bad TV, sitting (although I am working on giving that up too).
Lily, in the case of the above mentioned cake – never give up. EVER. Never, ever, ever give up!
*Cake is ALWAYS an exception
Honey, I gave up 11 years ago when I had kids. Some battles just aren’t worth fighting, and I am stealing your couch idea. Not that it really matters at this point, but if it helps me salvage just one pillow it’s worth it. I’m writing in my pajamas and I don’t even know if I’ll get dressed today. I surrender. You are hilarious as always! xo
I wave my white flag over 8 years ago, and now I wear it almost every day in the form of granny panties…just kidding. They’re maternity underwear!
BOOM!
Thanks for sharing this earlier, glad you can relate 🙂 It makes me feel better with company like you! Oh, and congrats on 100K! SOOOO AWESOME!
I thought I was alone! I live in my pijamas and I HATE putting on real clothes. My son is 2 and I still rock my favorite pair of materinity pants! I usually make my husband fold the laundry and I hate my stupid couch. Also, my favorite coffee table was just ruined. Thanks for this, now I don’t have to give up in secret!
You are not alone sister, friend! Welcome to the anything-but-real-clothes-here-try-these-faux-denim-pants-club! And if it makes you feel better, my daughter turned 4 in July and I still LOVE my maternity jeans…maybe not as much as these new pants, but close!
I could not stop laughing. I have to wear dress clothes most of the time because of work. The moment I hit the door, hello pajama pants! I refuse to “get dressed” when I’m at home. That’s something I will gladly never give up on.
When I worked, I swear I’d come in the door and take off my bra before I got to my shoes! lol it’s whatever makes you feel good, or brings a little comfort, ya know?!
Haha! I’m not sure if you’ve seen it but…maxi skirts are only yoga pants without crotches…and it looks like you have actually gotten dressed up. I live in mine. But since I’m ‘vertically challenged’, I don’t wear them outside when its wet…or it’ll be dragging the ground and getting soaked.
I’m pretty short too, I’ll have to keep that in mind when it rains….and LOL, I have seen that e-card…and it totally explains why I love maxi skirts!
Is it considered giving up working out with a Shake Weight while wearing Pajama Jeans sitting under a Snuggie? Because then, yes, I’ve given up too.
No, no. That’s not giving up, Frugie…that, my friend, is called WINNING.
I can’t even handle it…you are so hilarious!
After reading this I simply couldn’t even hold back from telling you that the whole reason I began my blog 2 years ago was because of my intense love for yoga pants….and I’ve never in my life actually done yoga. I encourage you to just keep on giving up! 🙂
Okay, I’m gonna be honest, I have to come visit your blog just because that’s my favorite reason anyone has ever started a blog, ever!
And p.s. I don’t “yoga” either…even if the pants are part of my “uniform” (http://www.divinesecretsofadomesticdiva.com/2012/12/09/my-uniform/)
I forgot to give you this link a while back when I posted this…This is just an extension of how my blog started 2 years ago!
maybe I should leave the link…
http://www.chickenscratchblog.com/2013/09/an-ode-to-yoga-pants.html
It might be quicker for me to list what I haven’t let go. One of which is sex with my husband, which is shocking really considering that I have given up on hair, makeup, body hair removal, remotely attractive undergarments, and sadly, sometimes deodorant. Thank goodness for dim lighting.
Haha! Know that I’m laughing WITH you. Unless maternity underwear (leftover from my pregnancy 4yrs+ ago), counts as remotely attractive…
oh my gawd susan you are so friggin funny…and honest! You certainly describe why my husband has no interest in kids, the fear of clutter and chaos and dirt
Thanks in part to you, I gave up yesterday. I’m sitting here enjoying your blog while relaxing comfortably in my brand new Pajama Jeans.
This piece speaks to me. I’ve often said to people that I should have purchased lawn furniture for the inside of the house until all kids were over 8. Then I could actually have nice things. I’m hiding my “shabby chic” farm table (already distressed) with it’s added fork marks, paint splotches, and glitter with placemats. It’s not working….