I don't do well sitting idly by, watching the world outside my window while I do nothing. Back in my single days, I was slightly better at relaxing, but back then, there was no little boy needing help reaching the kitchen sink, wanting to play "guys," or needing to make Play-Doh creations. I lived in a one-bedroom NYC apartment, which was monumentally easier to keep straight than my two-story house. I only get one day off a week when I'm working and I typically spend it doing things I've let slide the other six days of the week, like running errands, grocery shopping, spending gobs of time with Dean and Marcus, and trying to get the house clean. Today, however, I had no agenda. We bought groceries yesterday. We ran our errands yesterday. I have several things to do tomorrow that you can only do on weekdays when places like the post office and library are open.
Today, I did nothing.
I have to remind myself sometimes that I'm 35. And while I'm a pretty energetic 35 year old, I'm not the energetic 22 year old I once was. I don't have to fill every second of my day (or Dean's, for that matter) with a meaningful activity. Today, I woke up, drank a lot of coffee, joked around with my husband, finished a book on my iPad, watched old episodes of Batman with Dean, built spaceships out of Legos, clicked around on Pinterest and just generally relaxed. I needed this. I need to make myself do this more often.
Everyone's battery needs to be recharged from time to time. Usually, I feed off the energy of other people. I absolutely MUST spend time with people like me (I'm lookin' at you, bloggers) every so often to be reminded I'm not the only one. Sometimes, however, just being still is the answer.
My brain is relaxed. My body is relaxed. We are all clean, fed and entertained. Dean just randomly came over and kissed me on the knee, a clue that he hasn't minded entertaining himself with action figures while I vegged over here on the couch.
I have to be still more often.
Great first post for me to comment on, as I need to be reminded of this A LOT. I don't do sitting still well at all. And you're so right - we all need to recharge.
Found your blog on the The3six5 blog - loved your post there, and found we have similar interests: our toddler boys, theatre and details! :)
Glad you got to recharge today!
Posted by: JJ | June 03, 2012 at 07:23 PM
Love:).
Posted by: rkmama | June 03, 2012 at 08:31 PM
I am so jealous! We're into day 7 of this camp, and the kids are starting to feel it. Their focus is shot, they can't take in anymore information (even though we keep shoving it down their throats) and they need BREAK!!!!
I taught my workshop today and I had a moment where I looked around the room and all I saw was fatigue staring back at me. I made them take 10- which turned into a brief nap for most, and then we just chatted because I just couldn't force anything else upon them.
Bottom line is breaks and stillness and doing nothing, not only feel good, but are totally necessary!!!!
I'm glad you had a day of zen! I can't wait till my vacation starts at the end of this week, and I can join you!
Posted by: CandaceScholz | June 03, 2012 at 08:46 PM
You are so right, Jen. I think when we have little kids it is easy to fall into this pattern of constant motion. I have to deliberately slow myself down, too. Yeah you!!
Posted by: Molly | June 03, 2012 at 09:23 PM
oh I love this and I really want a day like this! It's possible, I just need to let it happen...
Posted by: designhermomma | June 06, 2012 at 11:39 PM