Writing While Washing

"I don't have time for this", part two

the thing behind the thing

Annelise Roberts's avatar
Annelise Roberts
Feb 09, 2024
∙ Paid
36
20
4
Share

I had every intention of drafting a post called, “Postpartum for Lent1” and having it ready for you today. Then we got the stomach flu. I’ll spare you the sordid details, but it turns out that sometimes when you’re comforting a child, thinking they have big feelings about math, you’re actually about to wash the couch cover and change your clothes.

“That really surprised me, mommy…”

Me too, dude. Me too.

But the sun was out today, we took a walk, no one was sleeping on our floor last night, the baby is happy again, and so life goes on. Just with significantly more laundry and a serious need for disinfectant.

Last fall when I wrote a post titled, “I don’t have time for this,” I was working through something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I wrote the post, but despite everything in it being true, it still felt like I hadn’t really gotten to the heart of the problem. Even when I did finally have more time and space, the same thought would emerge as a reflexive defense, I don’t have tim…

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Annelise Roberts
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture