Have you ever had an appointment or date—maybe even a mostly felicitous one—that you just weren’t in the mood to show up for?

• a dinner party?
• a class?
• a phone call?

I don’t wanna go. But, for some reason, you showed up and, to your surprise and delight, had the best time. You’re happy you went.

I was glad I went this past weekend.

July was a busy month. By the beginning of August, I was tired before the month even started, and I had so much to do. One of those things was writing my August InkWell WordShop session.

I had ideas and had sketched some out. I had collected passages and art. But I didn’t “feel” it.

I sent my August InkWell reminders for the two in-person sessions and the one virtual session. Several regulars responded, “I can’t make it. See you in September.”

The August lesson was still unbaked.

Then I noticed that the writers coming to my Saturday in-person session hadn’t been able to make the July session. I gave myself a breather. I’d repeat the July content with them, giving me another day to work on August.

But did I need it?

I checked.

No registrations.

So I canceled this month’s virtual.

I’m so glad I didn’t push through and slap together new August content for Saturday. The session was beautiful. The July content hit home for all of us, and the words that made it to the page were stunning and profound.

Now I could focus on the Sunday morning event I was organizing, then relax Sunday afternoon.

But as I packed up my laptop to return home after the morning event, I saw the email: I had a registrant for the virtual, which was supposed to start in two hours.

Oops

I had neglected to remove August from my registration page.

When I sent the writer a note explaining the situation, I gave her three options: a one-on-one session, transferring her fee to the September InkWell, or a refund.

She chose one-on-one.

I was having one of those “I don’t wanna go” moments. If that had ruled my day, I would have missed so much.

Instead, I showed up.

I met a lovely, talented writer who, like me, wanted to “write long” since we were only two. I moved forward with my WIP, and she stretched her writing muscles.

The words that made it to the page were, again, stunning, surprising, delightful.

I was so glad I went.

Saying “No, I don’t wanna go” is sometimes exactly right.

I’m glad I didn’t push through my reluctance to write new August content when I was road-weary and frazzled. That would have been forcing something that wasn’t ready.

But staying open to the possibility of going—of showing up even when I’m not in the mood—can be, and on Sunday was, the refuel and reset I needed.

The “right” answer

To go or not to go when you’re in an I don’t wanna mood? What’s the right answer?

I think sometimes we fret over getting the answer “right” when there isn’t a right answer. Maybe the “answer” is to make peace with the time we take back or embrace the gifts of showing up.

What are some of the “I don’t wanna go” moments you pushed through and weren’t at all sorry you did?

©Pennie Nichols. All Rights Reserved. 2026