September 08, 2016

Sacred Days


Recently I told you about my plan to claim one day a week as my Sacred Day, to guard this day fiercely as something just for me. Well, it seems this may have been one of the most brilliant things I've ever done for myself. I have claimed Wednesdays as my day, going so far as to block it off in my calendar. You can probably guess how much I look forward to this day.


I thought I'd share a bit about what this day looked like for me yesterday. They aren't all the same but this one is pretty representative of them. I am home from the carpool run by 8am, fix myself a nice breakfast (sautéed veg topped with an egg) to fuel my creativity, put on a little makeup, fix myself a chai latte and head to the studio.


I light a candle and use my sound machine app to play a thunderstorm through my bluetooth player. If the weather outside won't cooperate, I will create my own, after all, this is the room most conducive to using your imagination. I put on a favorite playlist and spend some time book flipping while I plan a couple of sewing projects, before moving on to some doodling.


Next there is a little "rustic" papier mache bird painting. And repainting. There is no good or bad here. Just permission to play and see what happens. No fear of failure. It's all important. I give myself permission to not always love the final product but to always love the the process.


A quick lunch of reheated leftovers (a stuffed pepper), eaten in the studio while I watch some videos and practice my hand at more drawing. The time is racing by and I can't believe it's already after 2. I take a break to do some yoga on my mat right in front of this table, before hopping in the car to sit in the carpool line.


Really, the entire day centers around being in this room. On this day anyway. Maybe next Wednesday will feel different and I will need something else. But probably not. I'm back home by 3:30 and apparently not quite ready to give up this time even though my Sweet Man is already home from work. I figure since he is on a conference call it is a good excuse to push on although that's all me and my girl guilt needing to justify this time for me since I know he would encourage me to stay in here as long as I wanted. I'm slowly chipping away at that guilt thing but I have in no way mastered it.


I decide to work on my Visual Journal which is really just a grown up way of doing a favorite kindergarten past time. I mean, I'm not the only one that never outgrew scissor and glue playtime, right? I get so caught up in the colors and patterns that I don't even realize it's almost 6pm and I haven't even started dinner! Time passes so differently when I am in the studio. I was honestly baffled and a bit startled to realize how late it was but my lovely family doesn't even say a word. To be honest, it has become our practice on Wednesday for my guy to bring home takeout for dinner. Bless that man for always being so supportive. He's a smart guy because he instinctively knows what I am just figuring out, that if I give myself this gift of time and space, it pays off in a a big way for the rest of my family in a happy, fulfilled Momma. Of course the thankful, loving texts he invariably receives from me on Sacred Day, probably don't hurt!


Here's the thing about Sacred Day...it doesn't have to be every week. It doesn't even have to be an entire day. Your day doesn't have to look anything like mine, in fact it shouldn't! What rejuvenates your spirit is likely different than what rejuvenates mine. I would encourage you to look at your schedule and find a day or an afternoon that you can claim for your own. Find a babysitter, send your husband and kids to lunch and a movie, schedule a vacation day from work or even better yet CALL IN SICK because taking care of ourselves is a kind of wellness practice and one that we should all make a priority.

23 comments:

  1. jen, i love everything about this! and those little birds are adoarble, friend! so happy you have your wednesdays to be creative just for you!

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    1. adorable... oops... that's what I get for typing fast!

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  2. I love every single thing about this post and your Sacred Day! I recently took a day off work just for me and it was one of my best days ever. Enjoy your Wednesdays!

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  3. What a wonderful idea! I think every woman should have a "sacred day." Because we need to take care of ourselves, just as we take care of others. (You've got a good man there, but then I know that you already know that!)
    Brenda

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  4. I am inspired by you. After we move, I am going to set up a sacred day for me too!

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  5. I absolutely love that you do this, Jen. My problem is that I'm so easily distracted. My mind would be on all that needs to be done around the house...the usual everyday pickup, dishwasher, cat boxes, laundry, light cleaning of bathrooms, etc. How do you stay focused and not get side-tracked by all the daily to-do's?

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    1. Melanie, it takes PRACTICE! I might do a small chore first thing before I head into the studio or after everyone gets home, but otherwise all other tasks get put on the to do list the day before or after. Honestly it is a bit of a struggle to keep from doing it but I'm dedicated to making the change and I just have to keep reminding myself until it becomes habit!

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  6. I love what you are saying here, Jen. I try to cram so much into one day and then on a free day all I want to do is collapse. I don't know that our creative ventures are much the same...I'd really love to make a dent in my pile of books, try some new recipes, get caught up on blogging. I think it's about making time to unwind and do the happy thing.

    Love your writing and posts, Jen!

    Jane

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  7. I had to smile at the "thunderstorm" music. I used to have one of those cd's and did the same thing. I wonder if that's still around somewhere. might be faster to buy another one.

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  8. I'm so starting a visual journal and looking up that sound machine app. You are just so crazy inspiring!

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    1. Aww, thanks Renee! I just looked and the app is called Sleep Machine! I love it! We fall asleep to the thunderstorm every night!

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  9. savoring wednesdays. well now.
    this is pure genius!♥

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  10. This post made me smile for so many reasons. You also gave me the incentive to take out my planner that I bought the other day and finally start to use it. Thank you for that!! : ) I love your idea of the thunderstorm in your studio. I adore a good thunderstorm and rain but we've had next to none this whole summer. I'm one of those people that gets "depressed" when there's too much sun. Lol!! Really, I am!!! : ) Have a beautiful weekend!! xoxo

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  11. Oh-That is such a good idea!!! I have a sister-in-law that has always done that. A day to herself-for herself. She is one of the most 'centered' people I know and a true joy to be around. I have never done that in my life but I think it is something I should do!! God bless you. Hope to see you during one of the trips to my daughter's house in Carmel!!! xo Diana

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  12. Jen, nix on the idea of calling in sick, never do that unless u r sick; respect your employer.

    I am happy you have found a once-a-week-day for yourself; I would call mine a "Myself-Day" because a Sacred Day is already taken on Sundays at my house. Have a great weekend!

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    1. I believe in respecting your employer but certainly not above your own well being. As for calling my day a Sacred Day, well one of the definitions of sacred is "regarded with great respect and reverence" and I can't think of a word that better describes my feelings about that particular day in my life! Hope you have a great weekend too!

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  13. I think that is a great idea. I have had days like that but not planned. My husband just retired. I will have to figure out different ways now.
    Love all your blue and your kitty.

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  14. Glad to see you are doing exactly what you want! My gramma & gramps raised me and my sister as our parents worked...a lot! So gramma had her week planned out-chores from Monday thru Friday but she took afternoons off to do crafts at the dining room table! She knew exactly what she was cooking for the 4 of us and sometimes it would be a crockpot dinner-yum! My sis and I walked to and from school even in the snow-we loved it! So my gramma had a nice life to do whatever she wanted in the afternoons! I look back on how creative and crafty she was-reminds me of Martha! We learned a lot from gramma. If one of us needed a Halloween costume-she sewed it! If we needed birthday cupcakes at school-she made them and not only did they taste good-looked beautiful too. She decorated cakes and had all the frosting tips to make roses and leaves! We also got the fancy sugar eggs with scenes inside to give to our teacher at Easter. All of it made by my gramma! So when you do your crafting & creating you are taking care of yourself to be a happier, healthier person, I believe! I now sew and have a sewing room to myself while the rest of my family pursues their hobbies I have mine! My dog is always next to me-like your cat! I love my life! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Love this so much! Thanks for sharing these sweet memories with me. She sounds like an amazing lady!

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  15. Ahhh Jen, your sacred day sounds wonderful. I'm in desperate need for one of those, to much work no play at the moment for me. I love LoVe love the idea with the sound machine, why didn't I think of that before!?! Today is Wednesday so HaPpY sacred day to you!
    Anna xx

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  16. The birdies look so cute! Love how your sacred day sounds ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  17. LOVE this idea! I've been planning an at home retreat, since my husband is going on a trip with his mom. Candles, art, reading and yoga are on the agenda. But I'm thinking a day each week should be added NOW.

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