I’ve had a busy week with getting some puppies ready to depart and welcoming some new furry critters too. I don’t typically delay my Monday Beyond Layers Challenge until Thursday….but this week it couldn’t be helped.
Kim asked us to put ourselves first, do something special just for me. No problemo.
Years ago my mother gave me a book, “Living the Beautiful Life” by Alexandra Stoddard. Ms. Stoddard inspired me to have “rituals” throughout my life in an effort to not only accomplish tasks that I’d rather postpone, but also to set aside a little “me time” each day.
Thank you notes are written immediately – my mother always made me write them before enjoying the gift – so this was easy for me to continue.
The bed is made before I walk downstairs (at 5 a.m.) because it’s far more pleasant to return to a tidy bedroom at the end of the day.
Before I make myself sound WAY too perfect….I didn’t say that I have rituals for everything. I like surface tidy – but I’m a huge closet slob. Open any cabinet or closet door in my house and step back – either something will fall out and hit you – or I’ll whack you for being nosy :-) My mother-in-law used to open doors and I once loaded the medicine cabinet with marbles that came tumbling out – making quite a lot of noise – just to shame her for snooping. Hubby laughed too.
Back to Ms. Stoddard and her notion of rituals…..when the sons were in school I would stop whatever I was doing 40 minutes before the bus would drop them off, make myself a cup of coffee and read my book – it was my quiet time. I’ve always enjoyed reading, and I’m never without a book. I made the switch to Kindle several years ago and LOVE IT. In a matter of seconds, I can have a new book to read – because my wishlist is always full. I know the library is free – Kindle is easier.
I do other things like buy a ridiculous amount of shoes (good heavens, don’t tell Hubby I admitted to thinking it’s ridiculous), and a facial once a month. But not a day goes by when I don’t spend time reading a book, both in the morning with coffee and at night with a glass of wine. The only way I accomplish anything is that I make myself leave my kindle in the den and I don’t go near it until Hubby and I are together again in the evening. I have Pinterest on my computer all day though ;-)