Sorry, Lou. I'm late to The Lounge this month. Wonderful questions. I am fortunate at this stage in my life that I do actually get days to myself fairly regularly. I call days like that "a vast expanse of days," when there is nothing on the calendar and nowhere for me to be. These used to be exceedingly rare until I started actually scheduling them into my calendar. I enjoy them best after a period of intense work or social stuff. My favorite day of the year is December 26th, Boxing Day. Everyone who knows me, knows this is a sacred day of rest for me. A day of doing absolutely nothing. Sometimes, I don't even get dressed. Heavenly!
"A vast expanse of days" sounds heavenly, indeed. I think you said the magic key - scheduling those days. Otherwise, they won't happen on their own. Cheers Cathy!
I'm lucky to mostly have agency over my days. For me a perfect one is journaling with a cup of coffee, doing yoga, getting to write for at least an hour then heading out for a hike in Portland's Forest Park. I'll top it off with a glass of wine with a friend, a delicious dinner and a good book. Speaking of good books -- anyone got any recommendations?
Glorious day, Kaarin. I'm in the middle of a crime mystery book (not a cozy), where the protagonist is a 61-yr-old female detective who's getting ready to retire, set in a small town Canada. "The Calling" by Inger Ash Wolfe.
Great question! I would have breakfast at my favorite little cafe, and then go hiking all morning. Then I’d grab a healthy lunch and sit outside in the shade and listen to the birds and read and write. I’d go home and enjoy a quick nap and then go for an evening stroll with my husband. And then relax at home with a good movie. As Nicole G said, these are all very doable for me often enough too. Thanks for the reminder!
What a beautiful day, Nancy! I can feel myself relaxing and sighing happily. I just wrote back to Nicole that realizing what we have in mind is actually doable is my big takeaway. I don't need to "clear the calendar". I can choose any day to be "my day". 🤗
I like this prompt, Lou. What a joy to think about! I would wake up early, go to may favorite coffee shop, order a flat white, and sit there reading my book for hours. I'd order a tasty lunch, another coffee, and just keep reading. I would stroll home and cook a favorite dinner (I love to cook so this isn't an obligation) and then likely watch a movie. Then more reading before bed. As I write this, I'm realizing how grateful I am because what I just described is something that I do a couple time per month-- guilt free.
LOVE IT! As I'm reading, I'm imagining your day, Nicole, and I'm right there with you! 🧡 Isn't it a wonderful feeling even just to imagine. Ahhhh. And it's even better that you realize you can actually do this a few times every month. That's actually a take away for me — that I likely already have the capacity, space, and ability to do what I "would do". Cheers!
Sorry, Lou. I'm late to The Lounge this month. Wonderful questions. I am fortunate at this stage in my life that I do actually get days to myself fairly regularly. I call days like that "a vast expanse of days," when there is nothing on the calendar and nowhere for me to be. These used to be exceedingly rare until I started actually scheduling them into my calendar. I enjoy them best after a period of intense work or social stuff. My favorite day of the year is December 26th, Boxing Day. Everyone who knows me, knows this is a sacred day of rest for me. A day of doing absolutely nothing. Sometimes, I don't even get dressed. Heavenly!
"A vast expanse of days" sounds heavenly, indeed. I think you said the magic key - scheduling those days. Otherwise, they won't happen on their own. Cheers Cathy!
I missed this! I need to get it on my calendar for next month.
Hi Jenn! So glad you're here checking this out! 🤗 (This is my "One Big Thing")
I'm lucky to mostly have agency over my days. For me a perfect one is journaling with a cup of coffee, doing yoga, getting to write for at least an hour then heading out for a hike in Portland's Forest Park. I'll top it off with a glass of wine with a friend, a delicious dinner and a good book. Speaking of good books -- anyone got any recommendations?
I just finished a brilliant novella by Claire Keegan called Foster.
Glorious day, Kaarin. I'm in the middle of a crime mystery book (not a cozy), where the protagonist is a 61-yr-old female detective who's getting ready to retire, set in a small town Canada. "The Calling" by Inger Ash Wolfe.
I'm in the middle of There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. It's magical.
Great question! I would have breakfast at my favorite little cafe, and then go hiking all morning. Then I’d grab a healthy lunch and sit outside in the shade and listen to the birds and read and write. I’d go home and enjoy a quick nap and then go for an evening stroll with my husband. And then relax at home with a good movie. As Nicole G said, these are all very doable for me often enough too. Thanks for the reminder!
You are speaking my language, Nancy. Sounds perfect!
What a beautiful day, Nancy! I can feel myself relaxing and sighing happily. I just wrote back to Nicole that realizing what we have in mind is actually doable is my big takeaway. I don't need to "clear the calendar". I can choose any day to be "my day". 🤗
I like this prompt, Lou. What a joy to think about! I would wake up early, go to may favorite coffee shop, order a flat white, and sit there reading my book for hours. I'd order a tasty lunch, another coffee, and just keep reading. I would stroll home and cook a favorite dinner (I love to cook so this isn't an obligation) and then likely watch a movie. Then more reading before bed. As I write this, I'm realizing how grateful I am because what I just described is something that I do a couple time per month-- guilt free.
I love that you were able to say you do this a couple of times a month -- guilt free. To me -- that's living a rich life.
I agree, Kaarin! I feel rich.
LOVE IT! As I'm reading, I'm imagining your day, Nicole, and I'm right there with you! 🧡 Isn't it a wonderful feeling even just to imagine. Ahhhh. And it's even better that you realize you can actually do this a few times every month. That's actually a take away for me — that I likely already have the capacity, space, and ability to do what I "would do". Cheers!