In or Out? Skipping the Sunday Reset

Oh, hello Sunday. I'm so glad you're here.

Today, I'm giving myself permission to do absolutely nothing... or at least nothing that feels like work. I am not planning the week ahead. And I am not going to feel guilty about what I am not checking off my to-do list. The only decision I really want to make this morning is whether I should stay home or get out of the house. #nojoke

Listen, staying home comes with its own list of responsibilities. I could clean a little, prep clothes for the week, or spend half the day cooking Sunday dinner.  And that is usually what I do on my last day of the weekend. I made my decision real quick this morning because Rico all of a sudden said he was craving fried catfish, shrimp, smothered potatoes, corn, and string beans. LOL:) Women, if you know you know. That meant I would be in the kitchen cooking over hot grease and peeling fresh potatoes. 

How country is that?  But, not today buddy oh pal:)

I woke up with it on my mind to do for myself and what I want to do today.  And honey cooking ain’t on the list.

The truth is, I had planned this weekend a little differently. I wanted to brush my teeth, throw on some old clothes, skip the makeup, and spend the day enjoying whatever adventure was waiting outside my front door. I ain't ironing, I ain’t prepping nothing, I ain’t rushing today, and I ain’t trying to dress fancy today. It’s just me, enjoying a slow Sunday. #thatsitthatsall

This morning  I asked myself, should I stay home and cook, or should I finally do what I've really been craving lately, go outside, breathe some fresh air, and enjoy a few of the world's free sceneries? Who else talk to themselves like I do? Or is it just me?

Lately, I've realized that as I've gotten older, my personal joy doon’t always come from planning a vacation or traveling somewhere far away. Sometimes it shows up in the simplest places for me lately. For me, a neighborhood walk in my own backyard, a quiet coffee shop, a slice of cake, or sitting outside for a while with nowhere to be. That’s my new vibe. Overdoing life can kick rocks now. :) #imoverit

So, this morning I walked down to one of my favorite little cafés. I ordered a coffee, treated myself to a slice of cake, and simply enjoyed being in a place of quietness. There wasn't a schedule waiting on me or a deadline to meet. It was just a slow morning, and honestly, I think I needed that more than anything. I'm learning that life doesn't always have to be busy or jumping all the time to be beautiful. Sometimes, beautiful looks like an ordinary Sunday.

Since the weather cooled down just enough, I've also been walking more. Funny enough, that's become my favorite form of exercise these days.

 Earlier this year, I shared that I had grown tired of stair-steppers and treadmills. They started feeling more like a chore I hated doing, rather than an enjoyment. So, just simply walking outside feels different and more my speed. 

The fresh air clears my mind, the morning breeze reminds me to slow down, and even noticing the little things along the way has become part of my experience.

Now, don't get me wrong. The Texas heat still gets on my very last nerve. Y'all...it's hot. But on mornings like today, when the weather gives us a little grace, I want to take full advantage of it.

Looking back, I think I've spent a lot of years believing I had to be productive all the time, always planning, always preparing, and always trying to stay one step ahead. But I realize thinking that hard has led me straight into burnout, and I know I'm not the only woman who has felt that way. We're so used to taking care of everyone else that we sometimes forget to make room for ourselves.

To be honest, these days, I'm discovering that making time for myself isn't selfish. It's necessary. It's okay to drink coffee without being in a hurry, take a walk with no destination, or leave a few things undone. The world will still be there tomorrow.

And little by little, my Joyful List keeps growing: walking somewhere just because, trying a new café, taking a different route home, finding fresh foods I've never tasted before, creating something new for my business, and making time for me, myself, and I. None of those things cost much, but every one of them reminds me that life doesn't have to be extraordinary to be interesting.

That's what I'm chasing these days. I don’t want perfection to be the center of my life anymore. I don’t want to be busy all the time.  At this stage in my life, I am ready to slow down and enjoy the mundane. I don’t chase, I attract.

 It’s the little moments that make me smile.

The funny thing is, I started this morning wondering if I should stay home or go out. And, in the end, I grabbed my keys, found some coffee, took a walk, and reminded myself that having do nothing days count too.

Today, I chose to go out.

Tomorrow, I may choose to stay home and do absolutely nothing, also. :) 

To be honest, both sound like a pretty good life to me. Two finger snaps and a hip twirl.

So tell me, what small thing has brought you joy lately? I'd love to hear about it.

Until next time, here's to living beyond existing!

xo, Tangie