Being slowly productive
how I recently spent a spring day
I hope the video above (from the sunset written about below), provides a moment of calm in your day. The soothing rhythm of the waves relaxing your nervous system. Allow yourself to take a few deep breaths and just be.
It’s another beautiful spring day with endless deep blue cloudless skies complemented by the brightest, dazzling sunshine. I naturally awaken at seven am; a rare treat on a day off work, but a well-needed one as the lovely weather lures me into ‘doing’ mode. A desire to be productive after the hibernation of winter. The promise of warm temperatures all day subconsciously spreads a smile across my face. It’s going to be a good day! While getting all the jobs done is productive, it is also energy-sapping, both mentally and physically. The soft, long grass on the lawn tickles my feet as I pad over to the garden bench. The grass is surprisingly warm and comforting to the bare skin. I slowly savour my morning mug of coffee, admiring all the plants that are springing into life, and various birds that I can hear nearby (although rarely in the garden due to having two cats!). One of said cats comes and lies down next to me, enjoying the delicious pleasant weather. Meditation and Duolingo completed, I’m now ready to begin the day. The spring energy imbues both body and soul, easing out the creakiness of winter.
It has been a slowly productive day: pottering about the house, decluttering, putting away the ever-growing mountain of stuff on the spare bed, washing hung out on the line, sowing yet more vegetable and flower seeds, emptying the bins, and so on. Luckily, today is a good energy day - I feel energised, and not dizzy or brain-fogged (ongoing self-diagnosed long COVID symptoms - the other day I was attempting to transplant some seedlings, but kept feeling light-headed, so it took me several attempts to finish one tray), yet today I feel fine. I acknowledge my body and feel grateful for my health in this moment, moving through the tasks mindfully and calmly. Feeling that I have done plenty for the day, I go and sit in my camper van on the drive. Even though there is full sunshine, there is a strong, cold breeze, so it’s a lovely compromise to sit in the van with the door open, still feeling like you are outside but also being able to relax and rest.
I put the gas stove on and make a hot cup of tea, then settle down to finally read some more of my book (Landlines by Raynor Winn - highly recommend!). After twenty or so pages, the eyelids start to feel heavy, so I lay down under the cosy, soft blanket and have an afternoon siesta. Isn’t that what Sunday’s are for? I wake up feeling energised and peaceful, but also a bit chilly now, so the cat and I (who had a nap on the front seat) head inside. I put a warm jacket on, and head back outside to the garden bench, which is catching the late afternoon sunshine perfectly. The wind has dropped slightly, so I sit and close my eyes, and soak in the wonderful spring sunshine, and listen to the surrounding noises. No other neighbours seem to be in their garden today, so the only noise is road traffic and the odd few seagulls. I admire all the spring bulbs which are blooming: an array of daffodils, hyacinths, anemones, tulips, and I’m so grateful to past me for taking the time to plant them last winter as they have brought me such joy. There is still so much to do to get the garden how I would really like it, but rather than feeling unhappy, I enjoy the present moment, right now, and acknowledge the beauty of this moment. The washing is now dry, with that outdoors-fresh smell inciting a feeling of nostalgia, so I gather them up and head back inside, feeling uplifted and fulfilled.
There was no set plan for today; I just went with how I felt in the moment, and enjoyed every minute of it, soaking in the joy of having the day completely to myself and being slowly productive.
The highly-scented Alexander plants, which grow so prolifically here, fill the air as I make my way down the familiar, stony, uneven and slightly dusty coast path to watch the sunset. A golden glow washes over the cliffs, contrasting against the deep blue sea, a feeling of being in the Mediterranean.
Enjoying the now only slight breeze, I notice the changes that spring has brought. New leaves are bursting from previously bare branches, blackthorn is beginning to blossom everywhere, and horsetails are peeping their heads up through the soil. Small flies dance around me as I slowly amble down to the beach.
Two people have scrambled their way up the rocks to the top of the cliff, and they jubilantly shout out in celebration. I find a quiet spot on the pebbles and let the warmth of the evening sun soak into my bones. The pied wagtails dart about and forage through the seaweed, quietly peeping as they communicate amongst themselves. It's quite a high tide, so I sit with the warm, sun-baked stone as a comforting anchor against my back, nestling down amongst the pebbles, and with legs outstretched.
As I read my book, I finish the chapter and look up to check how far the tide is coming in. I realise I'd been completely absorbed in reading, in my own world, and slowly coming back to reality, I observe the setting sun and waves.
As the sun sets, a soft peach glow bathes over the landscape. Natures evening kiss and time to head back home. It was a wonderful, joyful day.
This is my kind of day!
"The soothing rhythm of the waves relaxing your nervous system. Allow yourself to take a few deep breaths and just be."
I did exactly that and it was just what I needed! Thank you 💚
What a lovely day, my favourite kind!