The Elusive eight: Unlocking Moments for Yourself in a Busy World
What can you do to carve out a little leisure time in a busy world? Small, repeatable rituals — a bath, a coffee ritual, a nook of your own, ten minutes of art — add up to real breathing space, even when the days are full.
As children, we often saw our mothers endlessly busy with cooking, housework, and a myriad of daily tasks. It was a never-ending cycle, and the days seemed long and tiring. Then came the wave of automatic washing machines, microwaves, dishwashers, and other time-saving devices. I remember hearing that these innovations would grant us more leisure time, and fifty years ago, it was even debated that we should be educated on how to effectively spend this newfound leisure time. But, fifty years on, do we really have more leisure time? I certainly don’t.
I have lots of plans for when I retire, but then I’m told that retirement is just as busy. So, where is all this leisure time? I have come to the conclusion that we need to intentionally make time for it, which in today's fast-paced world is not always easy.
How do we do that, you ask? Well, I’m no expert, but I have managed to find a few ways to sneak in some time here and there. Here are some of my favourites:
1. Having a Bath: Set up a relaxing atmosphere with candles, your favourite music, a glass of wine or your favourite beverage, and a good book. I’m fortunate to have an outdoor bath that I use at least once a week. It takes some planning and 3-4 hours to heat up, but it’s oh-so-lovely.
2. Enjoying a Beverage at the End of the Day: I like to cook while enjoying a glass of wine on weekends. It’s a small pleasure that makes the end of the day feel special.
3. Catching Up with a Friend and Exercising: Plan a workout together or go for a walk. Making it a regular thing ensures you get two things done at once—exercise and social time.
4. Savouring a Cup of Coffee: Sit down to drink a cup of coffee and just observe what’s going on around you. If you’re up early enough, watch the sunrise. It’s important to stop and smell the coffee, literally.
5. Creating a Personal Nook: Design a cozy corner at home just for you, complete with your favourite flowers, a blanket, a candle, books, etc. It’s your personal recharge space.
6. Writing Morning Pages/Journal: I do this while having breakfast. It’s a peaceful way to start the day and plan what lies ahead.
7. Reading Time: Set aside 30 minutes at night for reading. It’s a great way to wind down before bed.
8. Making Art or Craft: Allocate 10 minutes here and there during the day. You’d be surprised at what you can achieve in these small pockets of time.
Interestingly, I now find myself yearning for the old ways of doing things—the slow way. I dream of cooking over a wood-fired stove, baking all our bread, and cooking everything from scratch. I want to have our own chickens for eggs and meat, clean, card, spin, and weave our alpaca fleece (though I’ll need to learn how to spin and weave first). I want to expand my vegetable garden, make clothes for my family from fabric I’ve designed, create Waldorf dolls, and more.
One day, I hope to live this life I’ve dreamed of. Until then, I’ll continue to find and cherish those small moments of leisure in my busy days.
leisure time for busy women • self-care rituals NZ • finding time for yourself • slow living • Yvonne Nikolaison Studio • Wairarapa artist • small moments of joy