I am in hiding at a secret location somewhere in England. My Dad used to come here when I was a child, and thus it is a magical place - from where he would send postcards - and not one that really exists at all. It certainly doesn't exist in the real world, but I am not in the real world just now. I am in me-time world.
Probably for the first time ever, and certainly for the first time since the children were born, I am on my own. For three days. In short, I have been let out.
Being totally used to feeling-that-I-should-be-doing-something-else, I am struggling to relax. There is no washing/cleaning to do (someone else is doing that), no meals to prepare (someone else is doing that), no mess to tidy up (there isn't any). I am at liberty, and am not sure what to do.
I had planned to do writing (of course), and so am blogging. Ever the arch procrastinator.
So what do you do with free time on your own? Not the five-minutes-for-a-cup-of-tea sort of free time, I mean the really free time (if you're lucky enough to get any). Do you go for walks, read, sleep, watch TV, drive around feeling aimless, or what? (Keep it clean please, Troy.) I have another forty-eight hours to fill, and would appreciate your ideas.
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29 comments:
Read, read, read... I never have enough time. And if not that, then calligraphy.
I watch TV, surf the net. Pretty much anything other than what I keep saying I would do if I had the time.
I write; read; email/phone/visit friends and family; blog; reluctantly tackle the kind of domestic jobs that never get done otherwise like washing sofa covers, and then feel very pleased with myself when I've done them; go to nice places e.g. markets, exhibitions, cinema; take photos; take naps; walk; exercise; cook scrumptious elaborate meals; have long baths; make plans and write lists.
Oooh, I remember the first time I went away when the children were young. It is very strange.
Read. I think the answer for me is to read because it was the only way I could really get away from thinking about being back home.
Do enjoy it. Please.
I am very fortunate to have most of my weekends free since my daughter goes over to her dad's house. I read a lot, I go for walks, I sleep in, I watch a movie, and I write as much as possible. It's heavenly. :-)
A bit of S.E.X, some hang gliding, tap dancing, a game or two of conkers, cloud watching, eat and drink far too much crap.
Chill out and have a bit of YOU time m'dear :) TFx
Forty eight hours! Enough time for a woman of your calibre to rescue the world from the financial crisis we are in and still have time for a cup of tea and to blog about it.
(There - I can keep it clean).
On the very rare occasions I used to get some time to myself when the children were younger, I used to work myself up into quite a state trying to Make The Best of It. There'd be so many things I wanted to do, or thought I ought to do that I'd end up not doing any of them!
One of the things I do these days, but it doesn't happen very often, is nip to the cinema in the afternoon and see a film of my choice :o)
Anny - I tried calligraphy once, and found it tricky, but rewarding. Reading is easier!
Lily - Ha ha ha! That's the rub, isn't it?
Queenie - Hello, lovey! What a great list! Hope you'll have time to do all those things soon, too!
JJ - It is strange. Oh-so odd. I have been reading, so that's good, and I am doing my very best to enjoy it. Promise.
Melissa - Oh, the latent advantages of divorce!!!
TF - Super Endothermic X-ratedness? Nice if you can get it! The other stuff sounds good too, especially the last one.
Troy - Έχω εντυπωσιαστεί! Και ήπια έκπληξη ;-)
Karen - Yes, that's my trouble too. I'm too good at procrastinating about everything, including having fun! Cinema sounds good, though!
When I first had free time, the thing I enjoyed most was being able to wander round the shops without thinking of rushing back. So if someone at a beauty counter asked me if I wanted to have a mini-makeover I could say yes - and often did! I also stopped to answer market research people in the street - how surpised they were - and fed a lot of ducks. Not very productive, but such a luxury! Now I have more free time I generally feel that I should use it 'wisely' and end up feeling guilty. What a waste! You have inspired me to do a bit of just-what-I-feel-like. Now where's that stale bread....
I'm up for that! I'm glad you said it in Greek -let's keep it our secret.
In the unlikely event and all that ... what I would really love is a reading wallow. Lots of novels that are on my TBR pile, all the writing 'how to' books I've bought and then not read. And lots of magazines for research. Oh and try to learn Greek, ahem ...
I tend to faff about for a bit while I get used to the idea of having some peace, then read, watch tv, go for a walk and then back to the shed again knowing I'll have no interruptions. Bliss.
Ha! Not so much of a secret, Mr Troy! It's not all Greek to me, you know. Leigh said, 'I something, and something something.' So there you are. Hardly a secret at all.
Read, write, edit, re-write and garden oh and eat chocolate. And blog of course.
And thank you for rescuing me with the word counter. I can be so blonde with things like that (and I am blonde so I can say that). All working as it should now xx.
Bernadette - Oh, to walk around the shops unfettered! Joy!
Troy - Little things please little minds; but as you say, that can be our secret!
Helen - A reading wallow? What a great expression. I could do that! I wouldn't bother with the greek, Troy's just having one of his fantasies again. Something about a jealous woman: Ariadne, I think. It's all just bull.
Debs - Go for a walk. I might try that. I'm liking the no interruptions too!
Queenie - I think it would be kinder not to embarrass him. Let's keep schtum, eh?
Claire - Chocolate! Of course! I brought some with me, and it's still in my bag. Excuse me while I toddle off to fetch it!
I would pootle about and potter and other 'old lady' words like that. Not having to rush around would be the luxury in itself.
And there would probably be lots of readng, sleeping and lazing about. With no guilt:-)
Enjoy your time m'dear:-)
Oh, I usually waste part of it not quite sure what to do with myself...then settle down to writing, taking long baths with good books...
Enjoy.
lx
Read, walk, listen to a favourite album - I mean, properly listen.
Going back to walking, it's one of the best ways to collect your thoughts and give them their due space, I find.
I've been checking in; I missed you. So glad you've resurfaced.
I love the place you're in. It reminds me of our college library when I was studying theology.
Being too sick to work but too healthy to die, I have a lot of "free" time. Aside from doing quite a bit of sleeping, and the run of the mill kind of stuff, I read, and write a bit (as in journalistic writing), and blog a bit, and read other peoples' blogs, and meditate, and watch birds (and make sure there's enough seed in the feeders), and walk, and do things with my wife. My health has gotten to the point where I can start walking again on a regular basis to build up my stamina.
But what I'd really like is to get lost in a library like the one in which you're ensconced.
Reading definitely - I know it's proper free time when I can read during the day. Also sewing (ie cutting up old clothes and making them into new ones), running (slowly), mooching round charity shops (for clothes to cut up) and making roses out of wired ribbon (well you did ask). Oh and breathing deeply.
Hope you have a lovely break, it sounds heavenly
Were you really there when the photo was taken or is this just a library picture?
Lane - Thank you. Pootling and pottering sounds good. Will try some of that.
Liz - I assume the writing doesn't take place in the bath...?
Trousers - Can't remember the last time I listened properly to music. Will try some of that too.
Rob-bear - Walking is good. I am glad you're getting back to that. May the ground be solid beneath your feet...
Jumbly - Deep breathing, that's a good one. I haven't been doing much of that. Like the sewing and cutting up stuff. That sounds cathartic.
Troy - LOL!! Been reading your Wordless Wednesday contributions too, and I have to tell you that the sign on the door here says 'no talking, no eating, no giggling'. I'm really in for it now.
I read a lot - no surprise there. In fact I find it difficult to read (and not analyse) when I'm into a writing project. Therefore reading is a very good distraction from writing.
I also like mountaineering but I don't live near any mountains, so that's relatively rare these days. Instead I make do with running; got a half-marathon coming up in June...
There's always wine. And Marmite sandwiches. And cake.
....well, you could always come over to my blog and leave a comment.
Where is that library by the way?
If I am on free time without Chopper then I read, blog, write,spend time with a few RL friends (you know who you are!)or play Second Life. I prefer to have free time with Chopper for company though and then I amuse myself in the above ways with a few 'extras' included :)
The Wii has it me in it's clutches, although competition is fierce in our house. What I really crave is time on my own, with no-one else here, to write. Now that would be a luxury!
I try and turn my brain off! Am learning to meditate.
Other than that i read and make rugs.
Oh what bliss. If Jim goes into Ennis (as he will tomorrow) I will play at crafty things. Do some gardening (I know I do that most days but I love it and find it so relaxing). If in a strange place I walk down side streets and try to find unusual things to photograph. I'd also try and find a cinema. Oh joy! Have fun.
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