So, have you ever found a day?
Like a pearl in an oyster,
or a late rose in full bloom?
A day, appearing like a gift before you?
I had such a day yesterday.
A last minute cancellation,
and suddenly —
there it was.
An open day.
Well, I thought.
I could write ahead on my blog posts this day.
OR,
I could get some errand-running done.
OR,
I could start reading blogposts
until I go bleary-eyed.
But I didn’t do any of those things.
I chose to take the day OFF of the things I usually do.
It ended up being quiet, uneventful.
I had laundry to do,
so I did it.
And I actually enjoyed it.
(Sometimes, I’m weird like that.)
And I found a recipe for Crock-Pot Apple Crisp.
My husband thought that sounded swell,
and he set to work carving up our Granny Smiths
while I assembled the rest of the ingredients.
And the house smelled heavenly all afternoon.
I got a little bit caught up on some Tivo’d programs
while I folded laundry.
Felt absolutely decadent, too.
And then I ordered dinner from a restaurant!
Oh, the sweetness.
I had myself a day off.
Off from the usual,
off from driving around,
off from meeting with people,
OFF.
Don’t get me wrong.
I love what I do.
But you know what?
EVERYBODY needs a day off once in a while.
How about you?
Ahhhhhhhh… the bliss of a day off! It sounds very well deserved, Diana. 🙂
I had managed to carve out of the chaos, a day off each week (which in reality meant a good 4hrs on my own at home), but that has now become half a day off each week (which actually means almost 3hrs at home on my own).
It’s hard to find a balance between doing exactly what I want, and then feeling guilty over all the things I should have been doing but didn’t; and mostly doing exactly what I want, but doing enough of the things I should be doing to feel pleased with myself instead of guilty!
Is it just me that has these sorts of internal balancing acts going on?
Of course, it’s not just you, Donna. This is really hard for most of us to do, actually. But it’s really, REALLY important. To have a bit of unstructured time is a boost to all kinds of things – our sense of well-being, our brains, our bodies. And 3-4 hours is about perfect actually. I love being on my own at home and don’t get that gift very often any more as my husband is usually here 24/7 – so if you can cobble together a few hours, grab them and do with them what nourishes you. . . totally guilt-free, okay?
a day off for me, right now is having someone else responsibile for dad for a few hours and I leave! i miss being in my house without the contant awareneess that i am “on.” but in another few weeks, my husband is sending me away to our time share a couple hours away for 4 delicious days. I almost dont’ care how much I “get done.” i just plan to be!
SO glad you’ll get a good, long break soon, Carol. And not being able to have any down time in your own home is a real bummer. Thanks for checking in today – always glad to see you here.
I LOVE my day off! I am very intentional about how I use it each week, too. And I don’t feel one bit guilty. I didn’t make as good use of a day to myself when I was home all the time.
Good for you, Marilyn! I find it harder to take a day off with a more scattered schedule, too. But I’m working on it! (So where are you working these days? Do I know this and have forgotten?)