Sunday, April 26, 2009

A Well Spent Day


I was thinking about this last night. I was thinking about what I had accomplished, I felt it wasn't the best day I've had. Why? I was feeling frustrated. I sometimes feel like there are not enough hours in the day to do everything. I'm sure at least some of you feel that way too!


As much as I love to garden I really don't want to spend my entire day doing chores in the garden. But that's what I did yesterday. Lifting rocks out of the pond because a stinkin chipmunk made holes in the liner (why it wanted to nest there is beyond me)!




So now we have to remake the entire pond! Also, I had to clear the area my husband rototilled for the oats. With a hoe. Lots of hard labor AND I was crazy enough to have exercised for 45 minutes before all of this!


I think it's good to think about things like what kind of life you want to have and how you want to use your days on earth to achieve that life. I personally think people don't spend enough time on introspection! We seem to be a very outwardly focused society. Sometimes I think people are even afraid to just be still or quiet.

I like to end my day knowing that my day has been well spent. That's not always easy to do. But I think it's something worth striving for. I think my well spent day is going to look different from your well spent day. Everyone is at a different stage in life with different challenges.




I've realized my well spent day is really a balanced day. I day where I make time to do a bit of this and that. There are enough hours in the day it's really all about how I use those hours! Making time to do what needs to be done with time to do things I want to do. Balance.


The days where I feel most satisfied are not the days where I don't do anything at all. It's like being on vacation, after a while all I want to do is go home! Because all play and no work gets too tiring just like all work and no play (at least to me). To me a well spent day is not necessarily a crazy frantically busy one either!


Also, surprisingly, it's not a day where I've done nothing but "fluffing" my nest. Or a day of shopping. It's definitely not one where I've spent hours on the Internet.




Usually a good day is one where I've a had nice mix of things that are in line with how I want to live my life. One that had a nice rhythm to it. I've done some cleaning, I've worked on some projects, I've cooked a nice meal for my family, I've spent time with family or friends. Maybe I've spent some time watching a movie, reading a book, or catching up on blogs. Maybe I've washed the kitchen floor even though I know tomorrow it'll look like it needs washing again or maybe I've weeded a bed knowing there will be a good chance there will again be weeds there in a few weeks! There's great satisfaction in doing your job whether that's in the home or out!


A day of balanced living. Sometimes I forget that. But today is a new day and a new chance to strive for a day well spent!


How about you? I'd love to hear what a well spent day looks like for you!

24 comments:

Melissa Miller said...

Very nice thoughts Manuela.

Thanks for coming by and your kind words.

Have a wonderful Sunday.
~Melissa :)

Shilo said...

That was very well put. I feel the same way, though I do confess that I love a good day of back breaking hard work every once in awhile where you fall into bed exhausted too! :)

Margaret's Ramblings said...

Yes, a timely reminder. I will be rethinking my days after reading this. The trouble is I sit down and promise myself that I will organise some "me" time. Times when I can sit quietly, maybe read, listen to the radio but then life gets in the way and before I know it the days are just one mad rush.

Margaret

Denise said...

I agree with what you said. Here lately, I have been feeling that I just don't get "enough" accomplished. I know deep down that I am doing all I can do in a day, but sometimes it just doesn't seem enough. I guess we are always our own toughest critics!

Have a great day, Denise

Ally's Corner said...

I was trying to explain to my husband today that I just needed a break and just be.Last week was hard and I really needed to spend this morning getting some things done in the house. Not sure if he understood that or not.I also try to explain about balence to my parents they don't get that either.So I take the time I need and just do it and others will just have to deal with it. I'm a better person after I have regrouped.

Stacey said...

I couldn't agree with you more. Too much of anything isn't good. Balance is very important but so hard to achieve.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Wonderful post, Manuela. Some days I feel like I accomplish absolutely nothing. Your day seems to be very productive!

I just read your post about bloglines. I don't have bloglines. I have the follower thingy. I put it on last fall and have considered taking it off a few times. I added my name to your followers. I usually visit those on my sidebar and in the events lists I participate in. Most of those are "followers" of the Back Porch.

All in all...I feel like I've been behind in my visiting. It must be the time of year, when we like to be outdoors or doing little day trips, etc. When those things happen, I fall behind.

I notice now and then, the updates of posts are delayed.

Unknown said...

So true, Manuela. The best thing, as you said, is that each day we get another 24 hours to try again! I love that part! I get a little frustrated because my life is not where I want it to be just yet, but it's still my life and I have to make each day as good as I can. Life won't begin when I reach my destination- it's happening right now!

GlorV1 said...

Hi Manuela. I like the way you think. We all have to take the time to study ourselves and our habits and everything about what we do. It gives your a new perspective and just by reading what your thoughts were, I already feel better. I always take the time and yes there not enough hours in the day and for me the hours, the days, months, and the years are just moving right along and I keep trying to catch up with them but to no avail. So I take each day as it comes mostly and enjoy. Have a great Sunday. I'm going out to mow two lawns, maybe the 3rd out in back.

Betsy Brock said...

Oh I do agree with you! It is all about balance! I don't get any satisfaction out of working all day in the garden if I come into the house and have a kitchen full of dirty dishes, no dinner ready, and the laundry all piled up!

Tamara said...

Balance is good - a day where I have woke feeling rested, started my day with a healthy breakfast, been kind to my children, had time to get ready and felt good about my appearance, did some kind of craft or baking project with my children, done some random act of kindness for someone, gotten rid of a couple "piles", experienced God's beautiful creation outdoors (sunshine please!), had a plan for dinner, felt connected to my husband, bathed my girls with a good attitude, had a semi-clean house before going to bed, and found time to converse or read a book with my husband. That feels good to me - on most days, I am happy to have half of those things accomplished... I also think that it isn't always so hard to find quiet "me" time as it is to actually make good use of the time - to reflect, pray, be still, listen - more often I get sucked into the computer, a magazine, talking on the phone, or cleaning!

Kathleen Grace said...

A well spent day for me is just getting things done around the house and yard. Things that I usually have put off doing for too long!

Vee said...

I sometimes hesitate to take the time to even think because it feels like "lazy" to me. You're onto something here. (I'll come down there and kick that chippy in the keister for ya!)

Susan @ The Good Life! said...

A well spent day for me is if I at least get one thing done on my list!;D

Unknown said...

I usually start my day with a to-do list and mark things off as I go. If something pops up unexpectedly, I try not to get too excited and accept the fact that maybe God has another plan for my day.
I'm happiest when I have time for all my chores, quality time with my husband, quiet time for myself, and prayer time with God. That's my goal, but it's not easily obtained.

Barb said...

Manuela, this is a very good post and I agree that people do not reflect enough. I regularly do this to make sure I am on the right course.

I also don't put demands on myself the way I used to. I used to expect so much from myself and found that I didn't enjoy my life the way I should have.

Somedays I accomplish a lot and other days...not much. I try not to worry about it. Somehow it all works out.

Barb

Victoria said...

A day well spent to me is a day where I have gotten a lot done. I have had to learn though that spending time with my Sweet Girl should come before all those things I am striving to get checked off my list! I guess balance is the key as always. :)

PS I bought my marigolds tonight to put around my tomato plants tomorrow.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, your day sounds like a well spent day to me -- exercise and heavy labor. You must be the MOST fit blogger around tonight! I'm so sorry a chipmunk made all of the extra work for you. How frustrating! But, out of that frustration, came a great post. laurie

Rosemary said...

Hi there,
I think it's a day when I get everything done that I had in mind to do.
I'm mailing your prize tomorrow!!
Rosemary

Jennifer said...

I think that as a SAHM I put more pressure on myself to have a "wel-spent" day. I think it is because I don't get paid for my work, I am bound and determined to acheive as much as possible, often working myself into exhaustion. It's a habit that I have had for years and now it is catching up with me. You are right, sometimes we have to sit back and look at what we have done. You have definitely given me something to think about!
Hope that all is well with you.
Have a wonderful week,
Jennifer

june@craftyniche said...

What a great post! Balance is something I am working hard on. Having my kids still at home (3 and 8 months) forces me to work on my time management. I am currently juggling too many things at one time and it can be very frustrating at times.

Terri Steffes said...

Balancing implies that some days we have to do more "non happy" tasks than others. That's ok, as long as we counter that with doing lots of happy tasks as soon as possible!

You are still nesting, just outside!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks. Sorry the chipmonk damaged the liner. They are cute, but like squirrels can be destructive.
Glenda

Bahama Shores Mama said...

a balanced day is such a good daily goal.

thank you!