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In my eyes, there are four types of obligations. First are the clearest and most obvious kind, the sorts of tasks that you do simply because no one else will do them for you. These are basic and include things like laundry, cooking, cleaning house, grocery shopping, showering, etc. When you were a kid, these obligations belonged to your parents but with age, these became your obligations. Generally, most adults learn to deal with this shit.

Second are the more complex obligations, the ones that deal with ‘getting ahead’. You could function alright if weren’t obliged by these, but I for one think they’re important. I place in this category reading the news, going to the gym, ironing my clothes, shaving, magazines and trade publications, and these days, blogging. These are what’s required in order to maintain this whole ‘personal brand’ thing. In my case, if I don’t find myself informed, sharply-dressed, and fit, I would really start to become another person. These are my obligations.

The third kind of obligations are people. If you’ve got children, that’s obviously one. You’ve got to call your mother, your friends, go to BBQs and graduation parties and all the other hoopla that comes from personal relationships – romantic or otherwise.

But then there’s a fourth kind that I find lately is not so much obligation, but obsession compulsion. I find my entertainment has become an obligation. Over the last few weeks, I’ve fallen tragically behind in my podcasts, video podcasts, and television. Before the release of the 5th Harry Potter movie, I felt obligated to re-read (or my case, listen to) the book. So I spent 28 hours doing that. Then I went ahead with the 6th book to prepare myself for the 7th book release. So I’m 48 hours back in my entertainment — that’s a lot of Colbert Report! I’ve also developed an obsession with Big Brother UK, a horrible reality show that I liken to having a very strange aquarium. The show is addicting, which isn’t the best thing for time management (especially since my quicktime is acting up). The strange thing about this four band of obligation, is that it seems to cause me the most anxiety — I feel as if this is the only one I do ‘for me’, and therefore personally deprived of my entertainment. Cry me a river, right.

So what’s your obligation? Do you feel stressed out because you have these obsessive compulsive obligations? Or am I the only one who creates obligations for himself that have nothing to do with function life.

Oh yeah, work can also be an obligation…

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