Sunday, October 2, 2016

SJs - The Most Frequent Victims of 'Adultitis'


Do you know the symptoms of ‘adultitis’?  Can you identify someone who suffers from it?  Are you a victim?

Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, said he would look at himself in the mirror every day and ask himself one question:  “If this were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?”  He said that if he answered no to that question for too many days in a row, then it was time to make a change.

Jason Kotecki, founder of esdcapeadulthood.com, makes a living trying to cure ‘adultitus’.  He identifies the symptoms: dead inside; having a sadness produced by going a long time without doing the things that bring them joy.  Those who have it the worst have answered "no" to Steve Jobs’ question for too many days in a row.

Any temperament can suffer from adultitis (although it would probably be hard to find an SP so stricken), but SJs seem to be the most frequent victims.  It’s because we take life and our responsibilities so seriously.   

SJs feel we must complete our work before we can play, and more often than not that means we never get to play.

We tend to put our responsibilities and our care for others ahead of our own wellbeing.  I’m not saying that in a boasting manner, nor do I believe that it is necessarily admirable.  It’s one of the reasons that flight attendants admonish adult passengers to put their own oxygen masks on before trying to help their child or someone in their care who is traveling with them. An SJ, in particular, would tend to do the opposite. 

For the same reason, we need to recognize the symptoms and fight adultitis.  One of the chief nutrients everyone needs is joy.  What is one thing that the mere thought of doing makes you giddy with joy?  When was the last time you did that?

Adding joy to our daily diets as a daily regimen will not only cure adultitis, it will help to cure adultitis in our partners, friends, children, customers, clients and coworkers.  Would the world be a better place as a result?  Most assuredly!

Here’s your challenge for the next month:  Do one thing every day that brings you joy! 

And if you are an SJ, here’s a “double-dog-dare” challenge.  If you don’t know what kind of things are the best cures for adultitis, just think of something you’ve thought you’d like to do, but you feel ‘silly’ doing it.  You can bet it would be a sure cure.