This past week, I hit “Submit” and posted my last term paper of the semester. It was 18 pages and over 6,000 words. The week before last, I wrote another paper of comparable size. As this weekend approached, my brain was tired. It seemed appropriate, then, to spend today, my first day without a book to read, annotation or sketch to write, or presentation to prepare for, doing other things that feed my soul.
Sleeping In
Most days of the week, our house gets going at 5:45 a.m. If my Other Half does a morning workout, we do 5:30, but in general, it’s 5:45 a.m. On weekends, we may set the alarm for 7:30 or 8 so I can get up to get a few hours of homework in before I run errands. Today, though, we set no alarm, and let the morning sun greet us through the blinds, the Comedy & Tragedy masks a friend brought us from Venice hung above the window staring down at us.
Even if I still wake up early, there’s something about waking up naturally, no abrupt slamming into the day, but a gentle waltz into consciousness. Once I wake up, I, much like my father, have no problem laying in bed another 20 or 30 minutes. I ponder the day ahead and things on my agenda, and if it is a chilly morning, I simply enjoy the warmth under layers of blankets. Regardless of circumstances, waking up without an alarm was a simple joy this morning.
Knitting Frenzy
My parents live in Northern California where they have true winters and cold temperatures, and they also enjoy taking early morning walks around the neighborhood. This year, Mom asked for a knitted hat she could sport on these regular promenades so amidst completing my last paper, I also knit a ribbed hat for her.
Yesterday, I started a matching scarf to accompany the hat and now the knitting-toward-Christmas frenzy begins. I have a week to finish knitting the scarf and blocking it before both the scarf and hat get sent to California and to arrive in time for the holiday.
This morning, I eased into the day, spending an hour or so curled up in my favorite chair, a cup of robust coffee on the table next to me, knitting row after row of the scarf. The last time I was able to do so without cause for concern of time was in August before the semester started, so it was very grounding to be able to spend more than a few minutes at a time knitting a project that I hope will bring joy to someone else.
Time in the Kitchen
Something else I enjoy doing is cooking, especially for others, including Mr. O.H. (Other Half). Today, after I got home from grocery shopping, I got busy. I baked lemon bars. I made a pistachio pudding salad with crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, and Cool-Whip. I made a Chicken Divan casserole. It was a day full of comfort foods and of spending time in my intimate bungalow kitchen preparing a delicious dinner for my partner and me.
I do spend time cooking during school, but we tend to focus more on 30-Minute Meals so I can quickly return to reading or writing. Today, I had no place I needed to be and no requirements placed upon my time. It was energizing to return to the kitchen!
Feeding the Soul
Certain activities may or may not be conscious choices, but what I know for sure is there are things that, for whatever reason, feed our individual souls. Some may get that energy and refueling from working out or running, others by getting involved with a performing group or community theater, some perform volunteer work, and still others make time to enjoy simple pleasures (like cooking and knitting). It’s very easy to let time get the best of us, as well as the many demands placed on our time. But in those moments when you feel the tension coming on, when your patience wears a little thin, or you just want to have a few martinis to numb the pain, consider stepping away for even a short while to do something that you really love to do. You can listen to some inspiring music or read a chapter in an entertaining book to help you get your mind off things, if only temporarily.
This season is typically busy for many, to the point that we end up not able to truly enjoy the season and the people with whom we are celebrating because we reach the holiday itself in a full state of exhaustion. Make this year different, and much more enjoyable for yourself (and those around you). Take time to do the things you love, pursue your passions, and find those unique opportunities when you, too, can refuel and feed your soul.
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Tags: Inspiration
