Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures

Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures

My notes for today's post - a task and topic I've been pondering and indeed looking forward to all week, are somewhat redundant as I sit down to type on this balmy, warm and still evening, the cacophony of cicadas still very much telling their summer story.

I think—I hope—we are all friends here, and while the entire ethos of this blog and my books is about simplicity, joy, and savoring everyday loveliness, I do very genuinely and consciously show up to my days seeking those qualities, paying attention to the little details, and endeavoring to keep a good, positive outlook and be reflective, I too have my challenges.

This week, I have felt the pressure of life building, the busyness creeping back in, and the to-do lists starting to take too prominent a place.

So, while I had felt the compulsion to spend the weekend getting stuck into some home organization tasks, primarily my wardrobe (Yes, again. I like to keep abreast of this task every 2-3 months, go through with a critical eye, edit, cull, and rearrange according to season and usage and occasion.), my reality was that after such a full week, I was spent. My nerves were a little frayed, I was emotionally and physically drained and needed quiet space; time at home.

I gratefully enjoyed a long and restorative night's sleep last night and woke to a stunning, hot summer day. A day that was not calling to be spent indoors - let alone a walk-in wardrobe or Butler's pantry - re-arranging and organizing. And while I absolutely know how much the knock-on of having these areas spick and span and orderly affects my mindset and productivity- and positivity- today was not the day.

Today was a day to savor summer. To spend with family at home. To find the joy in bringing in the laundry off the line so warm from the sun it felt like it was fresh from the drier, to deadhead some plants around the porch, to relax over a cool drink in the shade with a visitor who popped by, to take a pre-dinner walk then cook on the BBQ and eat alfresco. I still accomplished several indoor tasks - at intervals, but with no strict list or schedule, and I encouraged myself to have a "clean enough" mindset. I freshened the bathrooms, but I didn't scrub the showers on my hands and knees as the mercury soared. I ran a few errands but was very brief in my outing and went early enough to escape the crowds and the heat. I prepared dinner with every door and window in the house open to catch the breeze and paused often to pet my cats and talk to them- slid them a tidbit even. I even decided that the book I had been reading as our chosen Ladies Book Club pick just wasn't what I needed. I'd persevered long enough. It really isn't that important if I don't finish it before our next meeting - so I picked up a Cosy Mystery paperback I'd bought a few weekends back on that rainy Sunday instead.

Sometimes we need to remember to take our own advice - go a little easier on ourselves. Let up a bit. Take time to breathe.

I needed that today.

I needed to feel the pressure ease. And I wanted to cherish and savor this blissful summery day. All too soon those tell-tale signs of Autumn will be starting to make an appearance - the grass under the clothesline won't be warm under my bare feet. It'll be too cool out come dinner time to sit on the deck. I'll need to use the dryer to dry the bed linens.

SO relish in today. Absorb all the goodness today has to offer. Sometimes that's just what you need to do.

My wardrobe will get done - and will feel fabulous and spur me on to other organizational tasks no doubt as it usually does, the butler's pantry is a perfect rainy day task - it can wait. It's tidy enough. Good enough.

The house is clean and orderly. The laundry is up to date (Always, I can't help myself.) Fresh sheets are waiting to greet me on the bed soon, and the Garage has been swept and tidied - enough.

So my anticipated post of before and after photographs of my curated and organized wardrobe will have to wait, and while I do not have that lovely buzz you get from accomplishing that kind of task or project, or the drive to keep ticking off areas requiring some attention or home organizing, I do have an overwhelming (in a good way) sense of peace and tranquility. A feeling of calm. A definite feeling of a summer's day well spent. Savored.

And there is still all of tomorrow to enjoy before the new week begins.

It's ok to not always accomplish everything on the list you have written for yourself. Sometimes it's more important to allow yourself a day with more drifting and less ticking.

I have a feeling I'll be doubly productive tomorrow as a result.