Treasured Days

 Savoring simple everyday pleasures

Do you have a particular day of the week you especially look forward to with eager anticipation? One that you know will be just as you hoped and that will fill your cup, recharge and inspire you, and propel you forward to the next week?

My week is very much in 3 parts, all of which I enjoy and I am grateful for their differences. But today, Friday, each week, is treasured even more and I am so grateful for it. 

Three of my days are taken up with my job of several years, two of the days are weekend days and are about family, friends and re setting, and 2 days are for me to manage and structure as I please. 

I try to get errands and jobs and have to tasks seen to on one of those ME days, but on Friday; Friday is my tonic. My refresher, My day to revitalize. 

Of course - some weeks this day can get full of have to's, or things change, or I am out most of the day for some reason. But when I can, my perfect Friday encompasses some of my favorite things which I know I need- from my experience of burn out-  in order to be the best person I can be for the rest of the week. 

The afternoon autumn sun streaming though the windows

What does your perfect day look like? It doesn't have to be anything grand or expensive- A day that refreshes your soul and fills you with positive energy and a sense of peace and calm perhaps? 

To give you an idea- here is what my ideal day looks like:

*Wake early, before the family, feeling refreshed from a good sleep.

*Quietly make my way to the kitchen where I make a cup of tea or coffee, (I'm currently enjoying New York Breakfast black tea or I'll have a double espresso- but first, a tall glass of water)  greet the cats and feed them their breakfast, then sit (Outside in the warmer months) with my hot drink, and my notepad, either planning my day, making some notes, or just simply enjoying the tranquility of a slumbering house hold in the early morning. 

*Gently wake the household for work and school and prepare their breakfasts and lunches to give them more time, pop some laundry on and keep my kitchen ordered.

*When the hustle and bustle have all gone out of the front door or garage a delicious peace descends on the house- and its still only 7.30am! Its at this time while its still early I like to have a run on the treadmill or a long walk on one of my regular local loops for an hour or so. The reward of a hot shower, choosing my clothes (Something stylish, feminine and that will inspire me to carry myself well, apply decorum to everything I do and also a joy for me to wear) and getting ready for the day with simple fresh hair and makeup and a much anticipated coffee is such a savored treat.

*I am all too aware how fast these precious hours can drift if I am not mindful of them, so I like to be efficient while also relaxed during my day. Nothing like a good to do list all ticked off by late afternoon to give me a satisfied glow! I tend to any Financial Friday/ Desk day tasks or anything I've put off or didn't get to yesterday. After hanging any laundry outside if its fine, it is with glee that I then sit at my writing desk, the window open above, and with no other sounds than the birds and the wind in the leaves, the rain or the cicadas, WRITE. It may be this blog, it may be for a post, it may be in my pretty notepad I keep on hand for ideas, or it may be working on my laptop on one of my books. The Simple luxury of time and quiet to be able to focus and allow my thoughts to blossom is sheer bliss. 

*A nutritious breakfast - a smoothie, steel cut oats, protein pancakes, and a bright fresh salad for lunch are moments I savor that punctuate the late morning then mid afternoon. 

*Perhaps getting ahead and preparing dinner, folding any laundry which is already dry, spending an hour on some housework or organization task

*When I feel I have accomplished what I had hoped and ticked off sufficient tasks on my list, an afternoon walk - often with an educational or inspirational podcast, before heading back home to make a pot of tea and snuggle in with a book for a little while before the front door is flung open, school bags thrown down, shoes kicked off, blazers discarded and the pastry attacked! 

Doesn't that sound utterly sumptuous! ?