It was one of those kinds of relationships. I had the recurring event on my calendar to attend this group’s meetings. For my first year or two of involvement, I was passionate about it. Then my interest waned, and I was showing up because I felt like I should. Then, at some point, I just stopped making it a priority … because I was tired after traveling, because I wanted to meet with a friend, because I really just had anything else to do.
How to Break Up with Your Commitments
Do you have a recurring commitment that you’re just not committed to? Maybe it’s a volunteer activity that just doesn’t resonate with you anymore, a professional development group that used to be fulfilling but now isn’t, or a committee where the work doesn’t feel high priority at this point. It may sound easier to simply stop showing up, but you’ll feel freer and less guilty if you properly make a clean break. Here’s how: 1) Communicate directly about your intentions to leaders through email, by phone, or (if possible) in person; 2) Finish any outstanding tasks or inform others where you are in the process, so it can be handed off; 3) Delete calendar invites, to-do list, and emails — anything that is associated with this commitment; and 4) Enjoy the relief and closure.