Wednesday 1 February 2012

Do more of what brings you joy



Yesterday was the last day of school summer holidays so I decided to take the day off and spend it with my son. To say school holidays are stressful is an understatement. Trying to find childcare for the duration of the holidays when both of us work is, well, stressful. Fortunately I was able to take two weeks off which we thoroughly enjoyed, but the remainder of the holidays is filled with work for me. Pooey.

So on Monday I decided to end the summer holidays on a high and take Tuesday off. I gave my son the option of how we would spend our day. Of course he chose the beach. We slept in, we lazed around all morning, I packed his school bag (and I didn’t cover books because I am a rebel!), we pondered what we would have for lunch and then mid afternoon we made our way to the beach. You may know we spend a lot of time at the beach, we go there every weekend weather permitting, and during leave every day if possible. But yesterday when we walked onto the beach we noticed how quiet it was for a change. There weren’t as many kids as usual and the water was as calm as can be. We snorkeled and marveled at what we could see below the water. We talked about just how wonderful the water was, much calmer than most days. We lay on the sand and enjoyed the sounds, we chatted and relaxed. I daydreamed that if I was a SAHM I would spend an hour a day there on the sand, reading or just relaxing. I so would.

Keeping with our theme of ‘the best way to spend the last day of the holidays’ my son decided on fish and chips for dinner. We perched ourselves up on the grass bank and enjoyed our dinner, watching guys play volleyball and enjoying the beauty of the ocean and sky and the slowly approaching sunset. On our way to the car we decided to get gelato, and when we got to the car my son proclaimed it to be ‘the most relaxing we have ever done in one day’. I agreed.

Several years ago I would not have considered taking a day off work ‘just because’. I would have probably felt guilty being at home doing nothing instead of at work. I would not have totally relaxed and would have spent my day checking my phone and possibly even my work email. Now however I am different. I give myself permission to relax, I give myself permission to switch off. And every so often I do something crazy like take a day off to spend it doing nothing with my son.

I love the new me.

12 comments:

  1. sounds like a fabulous day you both had! BTW I don't cover books either, I think we got out of that one because we have boys :)

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    1. Ah, that would explain it! I was wondering yesterday why do people bother, books come home in the same condition at the end of the year anyways! I initialled my son's things with a sparkie and was done in half an hour.

      Our day was just lovely, today was a serious struggle though (reality bites).

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  2. How wonderful a day. At the moment I'm lucky to be home, but in a few months things will change and I'm hoping I can adopt the same attitude as you! Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Thank you Nat. I do honestly struggle with working fulltime sometimes as I wish I had more time at home, but I try not to complain as it was my choice. I guess we need to do what we need to do. And then make the most of the time we have to do what we love most. :) Enjoy your time at home. xo

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  3. I do too! Sounds like a perfect day. you're son would have felt super special too. :-) x

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    1. If he felt half as special as I did I'd be happy. It was a wonderful day! xo

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  4. And you so thoroughly deserve to have those days too Peggy. It sounds delightful, every bit of it. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it is to work full time and be a Mama. I have only ever done it part time and right now, I am lucky enough to be full time at home. I don't look forward to the day when I need to return to the workforce again, because like yourself, I just want to savour every bit of the boys while they're young. Your day will be a lovely memory to keep with you when the every day grind gets a bit much :o) xo

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    1. I do cherish these simple moments Jules. I was daydreaming that day at the beach that I would visit the beach daily if I was a SAHM! I guess my appreciation for those moments have deepened with the amount of time I spend at work. One day. :)

      Enjoy your time at home, very precious times indeed. xo

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  5. Wow! Sometimes these precious moments make life worth it :)

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    1. They certainly do make life worth it! :)

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  6. That little boy will have so many loving memories of his mother and the fun times you spent with him when he grows up.

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    1. I sure hope so. :) We do have some good laughs! xo

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