I’m sitting in a chair soaking up the warm sunshine in Brisbane, Australia. Not my usual way to spend a Monday. I’m on holiday with my daughter and her family staying with my sister and her husband. This is my third day here but the first where we have decided to stay at home and relax.
I usually plan my days, never enjoying having a blank page. I’m not a control freak, I just hate wasting time. No day dawns when I haven’t at least got some idea of how I’m going to spend it. My diary is never empty. This was one of my greatest fears when retiring. My worst nightmare was waking up with absolutely nothing to do! I’m sure I could always find something, like housework, but that would never suffice. How could I fill my days with anything as mundane and boring! I’d rather carry on working for the rest of my natural life!
So here I am, mid afternoon with nothing to do. I’ve got no energy and feel absolutely exhausted! I have only managed to do half an hour’s exercise with my daughter this morning which was a spur of the moment decision. I’ve had breakfast, coffees, water, lunch and swept the floor. My sister’s son and his young family visited which resulted in a couple of hours of mental stimulation but not much physical activity. Catching up on family news and meeting three new great nephew and nieces was great and a good time was had by all.
Luckily I was kept busy this morning. I am thankful that I haven’t wasted a whole day, but have the afternoon to twiddle my thumbs.That said, I’m not really bothered. The swimming pool is glistening in the sunshine, cool and inviting. I could change into my swimming costume and wallow for half an hour. That’s an option.
I carry on sitting in the chair, contemplating what I feel like doing, trying hard to feel guilty about doing absolutely nothing! Consciously I lean back and stretch out my legs. Subconsciously my brain slows down, I close my eyes and drift off ………
‘The sun has gone over the yardarm! Time for a G&T!’ My sister’s voice startles me and I sit up, guiltily trying to pretend that I hadn’t been asleep. I glance down at my watch. It’s almost six o’clock and the sun is sinking behind the trees. It’s still hot but a welcome breeze wafts over me.
‘Had a good sleep,’ my sister asks?’ You’d still be jet lagged so nothing to feel ashamed of. And you’re on holiday!’
‘I’ll take that,’ I reply. ‘My standards for daily exercising has been lowered significantly for the next three weeks but I don’t want to waste anymore days doing nothing. I’ll ponder over tomorrow when I have my G&T!’
Later that evening we sit around the dinner table deciding on places to visit. It took us twenty three hours to get here so want to see as much of Australia as practically possible.
My lazy afternoon was a one off but it surprised me how much I actually enjoyed it!👠
Jenny Burrell 