Little Lifesavers
I’m still adapting to some of the ways my schedule has changed in the past couple months, and I’m none too quick to adjust to the changes. My life feels like an experiment: week after week, I’m running tests and collecting data on what works: quick dinners, mood-boosters, and ways to make time for myself. And like any expedition into the unknown, there’s a lot of stumbling and a lot of frustration. But I still feel as strongly as ever that little tweaks can make life feel peachy and lush–it’s just a matter of finding the right solutions and treats.
Recently, I grabbed a clear sheet of paper and wrote, “Things To Make Me Feel Good About Life This Week” at the top. It wasn’t a to do list, it was more of a “to delight in list,” and included some life-improvers that can be the first to go when life speeds up and gets hectic. Buy some flowers. Pick a new book. Try exercising in the morning. Book a vacation. See my best friend. By the end of the week, this sleepyhead had managed to make it onto the elliptical machine before reporting for work duty. Small bouquets of sweet williams sat on the dining room table and by the new novel I had at my bedside. I didn’t make it to the dry cleaner to have a skirt hemmed or to the shoe repair for new soles on last year’s sandals. But I had a vacation getaway to look forward to and a living room picnic with my friend that smoothed out those wrinkles that always seem to arise in the day-to-day.
These are the little lifesavers. Maybe they’re not systems for optimal productivity or solutions for magical weeknight dinners. But they do have everything to do with life satisfaction and enjoyment. Who cares if you paid the bills on time and made it to the post office if you haven’t been lost in a novel, searched for the perfect drugstore lipstick, or found time to plant new geraniums on the windowsill? If I don’t get these in––the dates with friends, the little moments of delights and pleasure––than doing the laundry, writing a thank you note and rocking at work feel a lot more hollow.
My little lifesavers this week: flowers (of course), try a new rosé with some friends, Wednesday night yoga in the community garden, and giving myself a manicure while watching Drop Dead Diva. Hemming that skirt and getting my sandals resoled need to happen, too–but that’s another list.
What are your little lifesavers this week?
Kristina Strain: http://www.online-stopwatch.com, and the promise to myself of one clear, uninterrupted hour of writing per day. Flowers are a good idea, too!48 weeks ago
Margaret: Ohmigosh- I totally do this! One thing about listmakers, we are pretty consistent. The only difference is that my list is titled, “Go-2 List,” for things that I know will make me feel better, if only I muster the energy to do them: flowers, library visit, bake, cheap ethnic eateries, decluttering, light candles, cook with friends, and write letters.
I have carried this around for over a year in my planner (butter yellow for 2011), and it serves its pick-me-up purpose. Having a variety makes me feel less doomed to my bad mood when I can pick and choose my remedy!48 weeks ago
Amy C: Oh! Let me tell you. So, I’m constructing raised beds for the garden, and part of that means having to dig up the grass I have there. This particular type of grass has roots that go down a foot deep (!!) and it takes FOREVER just to dig up a little piece, never-mind two 4×8 plots.
So I’m digging and cursing and sweating and cursing some more, when over comes my neighbor with a shovel! He says hello and just starts digging. It was about the nicest thing, and turned what would have been 2+ hours of digging in the very hot sun to about 25 minutes of digging because of he has muscles and I don’t. Remind me to bake him some seriously awesome cookies.48 weeks ago
Maria: Tuesday night bubbly on the porch with my housemate, finishing The Pale King (a wonderful read!), skipping the streetcar for a leisurely walk home, bringing a freezing cold iced americano back to my desk mid-day, Friday night’s 50 per cent off sale at my favourite thirft store – where I always find a charming teacup.
Sarah – I adore that you watch Drop Dead Diva. Such an indulgent little show.
Margaret – your description of a “butter yellow” planner makes me smile.48 weeks ago
Kristina, Oh, I am so inspired by you!
Margaret, I have a list like that, too. I’ve made it in the back of so many journals and call it my “Things That Make Me Happy” list.
Amy C, Wow, what a gent and neighbor! That kind of kindness is inspiring!
Maria, Your list is divine and so evocative…and I SO hear you on the iced americano!
48 weeks ago
Amy --- Just A Titch: I’m on summer break, so my temptation is to get really sucked into home improvement projects and lesson planning, both of which need to be done, but I’m also forcing myself to insert play and rest into my days. So, today, after spending my morning deep cleaning my living room and reorganizing my books, I’m taking the afternoon for a workout, lunch and trip to soak in the river with my best friend. A good balance is important, I think.
Wishing you a lovely week, lovely
48 weeks ago
Tami -- Teacher Goes Back to School: I’m also on summer break and my temptation is to get sucked into every screen possible. So instead I’ve given myself 30 minutes of screen time a couple times a day and the rest of the time will be spend doing fun stuff, learning stuff and reading books.48 weeks ago
Sarah: I finally chucked a book I just could not get into and was sitting on my night table for months in favor of some more interesting reads. I am excited to dive into these books!48 weeks ago
Katie: Man, I need some of these little lifesavers. Mine include: good pens; flowers; time outdoors; good talks with friends; and a little chocolate. I need to make my own list!48 weeks ago
J: Hmm, this sounds like my “insanity plan”. It’s a list of go-to stuff I have for moments when I’m feeling a little (or large) bout of insanity coming on.
This week, a quiet journaling session, a phone-date with a friend, and trying an new tea are on the list. However, by best and favourite current treat is a box of cherries or strawberries that I buy once or twice a week before work: there is a stand at my tube exit, and a man calling out “HELP yourself! HELP yourself!” So I do…47 weeks ago
Maria Stuart: It’s so funny Sarah! I was just sitting here sipping a glass of our Rose’ and when you’re email came in. And then I was thinking that any girl who calls her blog “Pink of Perfection” must surely love Rose’, and there you were talking about how sipping a new one is on your “to delight list”. I love that! I must send you a bottle, just as a thank you for all of your thoughtful and delightful posts.47 weeks ago
Liz: Gold toenail polish, the new Bon Iver, salad on a hot day, and a few minutes with a good book before bed. All good things to save my Monday.47 weeks ago
MrsB: cake….;-)47 weeks ago
miranda m.: love love love this post. remembering the ‘little lifesavers’ is the exact reason i follow your blog! in my opinion it exemplifies the POP lifestyle. life’s little joys add a lot of satisfaction!47 weeks ago
EB: This week? I bought a bouquet of flowers for my new, bare cubicle at work, made time to take a walk in the sunshine, and cooked dinner for a good friend last night.47 weeks ago
Dennis: My little lifesaver for the week was taking a full hour lunch break away from the office and doing some thrift shopping at a charity shop. I didn’t purchase anything but I rarely get time away from my desk (usually I’m eating something fast and working in front of the computer). Just the time away gave me the recharge I really needed to get back to the daily grind. Tonight I’m going to enjoy a nice glass of wine and make sure to chat with my love about the day.47 weeks ago
Harmony: I love this post. A few of my “little lifesavers” are taking time to enjoy a really good independent film, sipping on a glass of delicious wine, writing, and painting my toes bright colors.
47 weeks ago
Sasha: I love that you put together a “Happy” list Sarah! I think I must put together one for myself as well; mainly so as to remember to include those happy things in the day-to-day in between the laundry! Lately doing yoga in the mornings on my own before going to work has been great (although your community garden yoga sounds amazing!) and making sure to do a bit of exploring in the city–like checking out the extended High Line!47 weeks ago
Bekah: This is beautiful! What an inspiration and a good reminder. Thank you!47 weeks ago
Melanie: I love this! In Oregon we haven’t had much sun this June. So when it delightfully showed up Saturday in the early am when I was up, I made myself some chocolate pancakes, a fresh cup of tea and sat. And read. And it set the whole day up right! Finding that peace in the morning can smooth out the rest of the day. Thank you for the reminder of how those little things aren’t frivolous, but essential to being whole and happy.46 weeks ago