You know you’re neglecting things.

The relationship that’s fading because you don’t call back. The skill you once had that’s weakening from disuse. Your own body—the appointment you keep postponing, the pain you’re ignoring. The promise you made to yourself that’s gathering dust.

You tell yourself it’s on your list. You’ll get to it. Later. When you have time. When you’re less tired. When the stars align.

But here’s the truth we both know: You’re choosing this. Every day you don’t make that call, don’t schedule that appointment, don’t practice that craft, you’re making a bad decision. Every time you let another week pass without action, you’re living with neglect.

And it spreads. Like rot. Like rust.

Because neglect isn’t neutral—it’s active destruction in slow motion. It’s the opposite of respect. The opposite of care. The opposite of integrity.

You can defend it when someone notices. Get angry. Make excuses about being busy or overwhelmed. Or you can look in the mirror and ask the hard question: What am I becoming when I ignore and coast through my responsibilities?

Here’s what neglect teaches us about ourselves: We’re capable of living with disorder. We can tolerate our own broken promises. We can fake and lie our way through and call it “good enough.”

But is that who you want to be?

You know what it feels like to keep your word. To show up and do work fully. To do work you’re proud of. You’ve done it before.

The counter to neglect isn’t perfection—it’s presence. Making the call. Keeping the appointment. Honoring your word. Not because anyone’s watching, but because you’re watching. You know the truth.

Because the quality of your life is measured by what you maintain, what you honor, what you refuse to let slip.

You already know what needs attention. You’ve been walking past it for weeks.

What if you changed? Committed to being thorough and fair. To do your best work and create more value and not less.

Thanks – Michael (he, him)

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This matters too – Trust and Integrity. When Skills Aren’t Enough.

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