So I’m approaching my Saturn Return, which everyone goes through between the ages of 28 - 31. Without getting all astrological on ya ass, it means that Saturn’s gone around the sun once (ONCE) and is now exactly where it was the day you were born. What can it mean? If you’re following your true path? Probably not a lot. If you’ve been avoiding warning signs? This can be a kick in the pants.

For the most part it’s a time of cleaning out what’s useless in your life and working toward those things that are beneficial.

I’d kind of been dreading/looking forward to this time, waiting for the universe to tell me what I’ve been doing wrong, ALL WRONG! To quote another website, this can be a time where the universe gives you the astrological equivalent of 4 flat tires. But . . . I got nothing! No big changes. Great relationship, a job I love, a nice (if expensive) apartment, close to my family . . . where are all these lessons? (To be fair, the great job and relationship and apartment happened within the last year or so.)

So I looked at my pattern this past year or 2 and I have become inexplicably uncomfortable with a few things. Think of a 4-year old, arms crossed. “No! I won’t! And you can’t make me!” Scowls. That’s how I’ve been. Freelance design: “I don’t care how much you pay me, I don’t want to go home and work on your stupid project.” And I haven’t talked much about it, but I’ve cut the ties on a few friendships in the past year. People who were nice and that I used to be close to . . . I stopped wanting to hang out with them. Even I didn’t know why at the time. But I guess they weren’t doing me any good.

And the latest? Dogsitting. At first it was fun, my apartment was small and drafty (though cute as hell!!) with no amenities to speak of, other than CUTE!! So when I housesat, I was all Dishwasher! Washer! Dryer! Central AC! Pool! Now that I have all that stuff, dogsitting is just an annoyance. I’m getting to the point I was at just before I quit doing freelance: “I don’t care how much you pay me! I’d rather stay home!”

It’s amazing how many projects don’t get done when you’re not staying at your house . . .

I have one major dogsitting gig in December, but after that? I’m cutting my dogsitting strings. Except for one family, because I like them and they respect my time and they have Dave and me over for dinner frequently. And they have these beauties.

So that’s what I’ve cleaned out so far. Hopefully Saturn will say, “Good job, Jen. Way to follow your instincts.” And give me a gold star and be on his merry way.

UPDATE FROM MISS INDEPENDENT: So as much as I can use logical reasons for not wanting to dogsit: pools and dishwashers, etc., it’s okay to show some emotion.  (After all, for me the girl usually spins clockwise.)  I can’t act like dogsitting only affects me.  It puts stress on Dave, too.  As cheesy as it sounds, we recharge each other.  And while I can do a bit of self-sacrifice, it’s not fair for me to put that on Dave.  Plus, there’s no chill time.  If he’s here, everything revolves around the dog’s schedule.  If I’m there, I have to get back to feed/walk the dog.  I leave tomorrow morning and I’m so looking forward to being home.