It can be easy to see a one-week break as an opportunity to do ALL THE THINGS and hard to remember that life still has to happen, even if formal work doesn’t. It took me a lot of years to pair down my expectations of week-long breaks to better reflect what’s possible. I still need reality checks from time to time.
This morning I sat down with my planner and gave myself the reality check I needed. I wrote a list of what I want to get done, and the specific time commitments we have, and started prioritizing things in recognition of the fact that it’s just not all going to get done.
And we’re off to a good start. I went to the dojo today for General and Sparring. Sparring was really fun because it was only blue and red belts there so it was all ground grappling. I love ground grappling and have a lot to learn, and everyone had something valuable to teach me.
My daughter is at her grandparents’ house and my husband is out with a friend. My son has a friend over tonight so I’m not on call to keep him occupied. We a got pizzas and played Ticket to Ride and now they are watching a movie. I got my 1B tests scored while they were playing and finished a book I’ve had from the library for MONTHS.
I’m quite pleased by my first day of break. I hope the rest of the week can be as nice a balance of productivity and down time as today was. Hopefully my morning planning will help make that possible.
And now this cat would like me to stop writing so I will oblige her.
Lovely accomplishments on a damp to wet day!! Well planned.
Finding that balance of productivity and downtime is so difficult and so wonderful when you can achieve it! I really struggle with overdoing one vs. the other. I hope you have a wonderful, productive, and relaxing break.
Those are the best days – a good balance of downtime and getting some things checked off the list. I am glad you’re planning it all out for the week – that is half the battle.
Oh yes, I’m often guilty of thinking that a break means I get to do all the things too! I’m glad you had your reality check and got in a good day today.
My husband is also on his Thanksgiving break and he is loving it! I agree you need a mix of productivity and relaxation, and it sounds like you’re off to a good start. I recall your recent post about how hard it is to get to martial arts, and you’ve already done that! I’m not sure how hold your daughter is, but it’s nice when they don’t need you every minute of the day.