to think that the world (or at least MN) is divided into those who think that life if a constant battle and if you aren't striving and fighting you might as well be dead, and those who think that as

[Ormirian]

it goes life is pretty OK and mostly things are fine and perfectly acceptable and by and large most people are quite nice?

Because I am the latter.

And I think that too many people are the former.

I don't know how they do it. They are tiring just to watch.

I could give you two examples from my own friends but it's too much effort to type it up. They seem to be afraid that if they stop paddling for two second together they will sink.

Which side are you on? A paddler or a floater (so to speak? )

[Glitterknickaz]

Paddler.
Unfortunately it's a necessity in our case, stop paddling and they'll bloody let you drown.

[AitchTwoOh]

floater. i could do with paddling a bit more, tbh.

[aStarInStrangeways]

Never thought of myself as a floater before, but I guess that's what I am

[Ormirian]

Ahhh glitter - I don't count paddling to keep a roof over your head. DOn't that for years and I might well be back there if my job goes tits up) I am talking about people who still paddle like crazed ducks even when they are financially secure but still seem to see the wolf at the door (sorry for the mixed metaphors)

[LemonDifficult]

A paddler, even though I know the floaters are right.

[timidviper]

Another one who is a floater (though never thought I'd hear myself say that!) As Aitch said though I would probably get further in life if I did paddle a bit now and again.

I am contented but I may never be stinkin' rich :)

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

I'm a floater.

[Ormirian]

Can I perhaps subsitute 'lotus eater' for floater. A great deal more fragrant!

[sleepindogz]

im way too lazy to be the former

i like things as they are in the main and am easilypleased

[bigTillyMint]

I'm a floater though I don't like the term!

I'd rather be called a glass half-full

[AuntieMonica]

i'm a bit of both

a swan


without the grace

[Fooffy]

I've ( well me and DH) have been paddling for 12 years.

We are quite happy to float now cos quite frankly we are fucking exhausted.

[thestringcheeseincident]

definitely a floater. although every now and then I capsize and panic for a bit.

[mousesma]

floater, I will never be rich or mega successful because I just don't have the drive. However I think there's alot to be said in being happy and contented with what you've got, and I am :)

[DoMeDon]

I am a floater- I find paddlers hard work and bloody confusing.

I also think a lot of paddlers love the (often self-created) drama.

[Bearcrumble]

I am a floater for sure, but often feel guilty for being lazy and not 'achieving my full potential' etc. etc.

I am pretty happy on the whole being a full time SAHM and lucky to be financially secure because of DH and I both inheriting money.

Have wild ideas of starting my own business once DS is a bit older.

I do get into paddling gear now and again and do quite well. I organised our street's Big Lunch street party this year with not much time to spare and it was an amazing success. I felt very anxious throughout the planning and worried all the time that everyone hated me because I was bossy and was very happy once it was all over but then I missed the stress a bit.

[Taffeta]

Its all comparitive though, isn't it? My Mum is the world's biggest flapper (paddler). DH is the world's biggest floater. He has calmed me muchly. Many of my friends and all my colleagues all think I am a floater.

They are wrong. I am just not a natural multi tasker, I have to work very, very hard at it.

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

Being absolutely one or the other is much less stressful than veering between the two. As in floating for a while and realising you should've been paddling or paddling furiously then feeling awful because you realise you could've floated a bit more.

Guess I'm a paddler then. Oh well.
(Shit. Stop paddling. Must. Float. A. Bit.)

[mistressploppy]

I am most definitely a floater. But I'm married to a paddler. Ex bf was a floater too and I think that's why it didn't work. We got on really well though

[Ormirian]

Ah! An episodic paddler betsy! At least you give yourself a break sometimes.

[Fooffy]

I have clearly misinterpreted paddling. We've paddled because we had no choice. Not paddling for the sake of it.

[alowVera]

Hmmm, guess I'm a drifter in most things in life, but something's need fighting. But I tend to pick my fights. Not everything is worth fighting. And something's you can't just drift. How's that for a sitting on the fence answer?

[Rhinestone]

I'm a very happy floater from a family of furious paddlers! In fact my parents are such the archetypal middle-class paddlers that they could pretty much part the Red Sea with their paddling and make a sizable dent in the Earth's crust.

It has caused many many problems in my life because they just don't 'get' me and I had a miserable childhood because I didn't excel at school and as far as they were concerned that was the be all and end all of life. My siblings are all paddlers too so I was on my own.

[Ormirian]

Oh yes. Paddling to keep your head above water is quite different to paddling to move to a different part of the pond all the time.