5 things to do on a rainy day
Today is a rainy day in Phoenix, Arizona. I had cleared the day to do final edits on my manuscript, which I finished yesterday. I have a to-do list of course, but I just can’t stir up the energy to accomplish more than answering email.
So what should I do with this rare day of no appointments or deadlines? Here’s what I decided. Please add to my list with your ideas.
1. Explore what laziness feels like.
I studied the rain from my bay window, pet the neighbor’s cat who found a warm, dry spot in my living room and watched a taped episode of Brothers and Sisters with no guilt.
2. Make new friends.
I emailed interesting strangers I’ve connected with on LinkedIn and Facebook to find out who they really are and if we should make a real connection.
3. Paint your toenails.
Maybe we should schedule a few days per month for pampering instead of squeezing in appointments between tasks?
4. Look in the mirror.
While sipping tea and watching the rain, I had a real chance to reflect on what my hopes and plans are for the year. Then I did something I haven’t done in years…I reviewed my entire website! I am guilty of putting up a site with pages I never change. I found a few surprises that I immediately updated. This felt as good as when I clean out my closet!
5. Write a blog post about enjoying a rainy day at home.
What would you do if you gave yourself permission to blow off a workday? Answer here or comment online.
I would read my friends blog and write comments on how good it would feel to blow off a work day by sitting in a movie theater with my friend for the entire afternoon – say like 2 or 3 movies in a row, with a bag of hot buttered popcorn and blue slushy thing to drink. Heaven!
Work out longer than usual, bake something scrumptious (to put back the calories I just burned!) and take a nap in the afternoon.
(But I’d still feel somewhat guilty not working!)
I would make a cup of tea, nestle into the couch with lots a pilows and a warm blanket. Then I would pick up a fun book, I’ve been meaning to read and sit and read the day away.
During our last two snowed-in weekends in Virginia, I cozied up to the fireplace with an afghan, a good book and a chihuahua on my lap. Heaven!!!
I’d forgotten how wonderful it feels to simply be, to let go of all the results I’m forever working towards. The bonus is that I found that time actually slowed down! These snowed-in weekends were the longest I’ve experienced in years.
So: if you want time to slow down, be present. If you want it to speed up: focus on the future!