Do you ever start to panic when you end up with a free day totally to yourself to do whatever you want? Probably not. But I do! There is so much I want to do that it becomes overwhelming. What will I choose? How will my time be best spent? I don’t want to waste the time but I often do, especially if the free day is a total surprise (much like the day I got laid off). LOL The worlds my oyster.
My problem is that I have so many hobbies and interests there is no way I can dabble in everything. I’ve got to choose one or three things and do them each justice. There are so many activities that bring me great joy. ‘The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings’. Robert Louis Stevenson. Actually I don’t think there are too many happy Kings these days.
Should I read all day long? Should I write? Should I journal? Should I paint? Should I design? Should I sew? Should I quilt? Should I drive out to the mountains? Should I go to Chintz and co.? Should I hang at Starbucks (as I’m doing at this very moment)? Should I sleep in and then soak in a tub full of bubbles with candles and relaxing music? Should I call a friend? Should I go for a walk? Should I play the piano? Should I bake? Should I test recipes? Should I go to Homesense and Winners? Should I have a nap? Should I do housework (which I find very rewarding). Should I organize closets and drawers? Should I eat junk food? Should I go downtown? Should I hide out in the basement and play with my toys? Yes I have toys. Fun toys. Should I do a prayer walk inside the house? Yeah, I do that. Should I finish our ongoing puzzle? Spa day? Go to a movie? Watch my latest addiction on Netflix?
I think a perfect day alone would start with a vigorous scenic walk in the summer or yoga in the winter. No, the perfect day wouldn’t include formal exercise -I’d rather pretend I didn’t need to workout, live in denial for just one day. I usually like to Seek first His Kingdom (and hope that maybe God would set my agenda for the day). Followed or coupled with a nice sudsy tub soak in water hot enough to turn my skin red (I usually need an ice cold drink to accompany this so I don’t pass out). After that, set the timer and do some journaling followed by an hour of reading (for enjoyment and inspiration). Sometimes I just feel like I need to get out and drive somewhere, so I’d drive to Chintz and co. and pick up some fabulous decorating ideas. I just love taking in all the beauty, creativity and design I find there. Meet a friend for coffee and conversation at Starbucks (of course). Iron sharpens iron. By now it’s late afternoon, so I’ll go home and cook up a sustaining healthy meal for whomever will be home for dinner. Make lots so we have leftovers. After cleaning up the kitchen I would sit in my favorite chair and do some writing while listening to my favorite relaxing music. Read some more. Journal some more. Take a nap and then go to bed.
Days of my own should not be about productivity but rather about living in the moment and enjoying what is. At the end of the day, I want to feel inspired and relaxed and motivated for productivity on another day. An entire day painting is very cathartic too. I think I’ll do that on my next day of my own.
The Red Plaid Apron 
I have the same problem so I came up with a formula for a day like that: One out, one in, one for you, one for me. What it means is I will do one thing that I love that takes me out of the house, one thing I love that i can only do at home, one thing to bless someone else, and one thing that is just for me, like a bubble batch or manicure. In my case, if I go skating that is both one out and one for only me. and if I take the kids then that my blessing for someone else because they love it. For you, it could be a trip to Chintzys, then to Starbucks with a friend to bless, then home to paint, and an hour in the tub reading. Sorted!
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Good formula!
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