This week I enjoyed a few planned self care days off of work. For whatever reason winter and I are not fast friends. The cold, damp air, early darkness and the long stretch between the holidays and some kind of spring or summer vacation are enough to make me lose energy and sink into a seasonal slump. To combat that this year I decided to take a bit of time off for just me and stay-cation time. At first I thought I would take a whole stay-cation week but then decided to spread out those five days over a few months and give myself little nuggets to look forward to until we reach those nice warm days of spring!
One thing I have learned on my days off is that I am not very good at the idea of relaxing days off! I had two extra days off this week (today is a normal day off because I work this weekend) and on the first day I scheduled for our vents to be cleaned. Scheduling home repairs and maintenance on a self care day - well, not exactly the self nurturing, calm inducing day I had envisioned when first deciding on my conquering winter woes plan. Then on day two in the morning (at 6am - another day off fail) I asked my husband if there was anything he needed me to do while I was off (as I was making a list in my head of the things I could accomplish) he chuckled and said "you really don't know how to take a day off, do you?". This was kind of a wake up call to me, so thank you husband for pointing out my constant list making mind that always has the next thing that needs to be done ready to pounce into my thoughts as soon as there is a free second.
Finally after being forced to realize I was not doing stay-cationing correctly I got a tiny bit more in the groove. I say a tiny bit because I still did a few chores on all of the days and this morning I actually made a list of the relaxing things I wanted to do today in my planner... hahaha... yes, I even plan relaxation. With that said, I have also watched a lot of netflix, read a little, took some walks with the pup and have reminded myself to try to be in the moment, and to actually enjoy whatever I am doing instead of thinking about the next thing on the agenda (even when they are relaxing things!). Baby steps. Maybe by the time I have another day off I will have this figured out! Wish me luck!
What I've Read Recently:
For a full list of what I've been reading check out my Goodreads page. I've read several really awesome picture books so far this year that were award winners at the ALA Youth Media Awards. The ALA awards are like the Oscars for books - check out this link because there is some incredible writing recognized. The Printz winner this year (awarded to the best book for young adults) did not disappoint - I finished in one day (in fact I finished it with the Super Bowl in the background).
I'm Currently Reading:
I have been reading this one for what feels like forever and I'm not sure what the hold up is because when I do pick it up I enjoy it. Today I am dedicating an hour of uninterrupted reading time to this one. Yes- it's on my relaxation to-do list! Ha.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and finds little ways to escape the winter blues if you get them (and please share with me your tips!)
Peace, Love, and Paw Prints,
Camping Librarian
Camping Librarian
