27 Comments
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Andrew O. Dugas's avatar

Wait. If I’m supposed to do what I’m not supposed to do, aren’t I not supposed to not do what I’m not supposed to not do?

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

Exactly. Just say no. By saying yes. To no. And then repeat. Until you're doing the right thing. Which is the wrong thing. Understand?

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Andrew O. Dugas's avatar

I better write that down

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David de Young's avatar

I will take this as a call to action. Thank you!

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

Hooky diligently!

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Jeyn Jack's avatar

Thanks for articulating the rebellion. I am here to sign up for non-duty, sir.

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

Now there's a commitment to being in service of not showing up!

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Grant, full permission to not. Not productivity juice, isms. Love the clip, I never plan to be European. I also love that F wasn’t needed to be fun and funny which is overdone.

Back to my nap ministry or becoming a walrus.

Well done.

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

Thanks, Prajna! Perfect: "Back to my nap ministry or becoming a walrus."

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Nancy Jainchill's avatar

Playing hooky is like what happens to my mind as I drift into or out of a nap. And my mind flies.

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

Good definition!

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Brooke Warner's avatar

Timely! I hope all your readers will listen to Write-minded tomorrow for more on playing hooky! :)

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Catharina Steel's avatar

I really love this. I understand the importance of playing hooky, and did so in my younger years without knowing that this was what I was doing—taking a break from being bullied, from being unchallenged with schoolwork, and having time to do the things I loved—drawing, writing, knitting something that didn’t follow a pattern for one of my dolls—I was always creating on these days. It was one of the times I knew true happiness. Playing hooky can be necessary for mental health when you’re dealing with difficult situations. It’s important to take time for yourself—we all need this now and then. 🫶

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

It's true, some of my happiest times are when I've played hooky. Sounds like you did in a wonderful way: to be creative, to be yourself. I hope you have many happy hooky days ahead ...

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Catharina Steel's avatar

Thank you, Grant 🫶

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Barbara Shoup's avatar

Yes! (And thanks for the Ferris Buehler clip!)

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

I should watch that Ferris Bueller clip once a month.

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Cathy Joseph's avatar

This is such a gift today, Grant! I too often berate myself for not doing enough and this felt so liberating to read. Thank you!

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

Thanks, Cathy! Here's to the liberation of playing hooky!

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The Everyday Solopreneur's avatar

Thank you for this Grant. I had to restack with a note👍

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Nancy Chadwick, Writer's avatar

I wonder if the idea of playing hooky is age-related? (no, I'm not talking about something like age-related macular degeneration!) When I was "younger" I never really considered playing hooky; I was always serious and committed to my work. And now that I'm "older", I understand that playing hooky is an attraction to and for my writing, not when I used to think I was stepping away from it.

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

I played a fair amount of hooky growing up—from school, from work, etc.—but I felt guilty about it. I don't think I had the capability to see it as a nourishing and necessary activity. The thing is ... as I write this, I realize how I'm still wired to feel guilty about it. Which means I need to practice it more.

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Diane's avatar

On a different post by Matthew Kelland he talked of how we need to take naps. So reading these two on the same day has set me up for the week 😆

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

Oh, that's good to know. I'm a devotee of the nap. It's my single favorite activity, or second, right after going to bed.

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Diane's avatar

Oh I love going to bed. I love just lying there in the dark doing nothing. Joy!

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Alyson Mosquera Dutemple's avatar

making a mind "hospitable to unintended thoughts" - just what I needed to hear today. Loved this permission to play hooky today.

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Grant Faulkner's avatar

I really love that phrase. Enjoy your day of hooky!

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