On my mind: October 2015

(Original photo source: Autumn Mott via Unsplash)

October is kind of the official start of the holiday season here in the U.S., and the next three months always seem super-busy, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s lined up in rapid succession. Not only do the holidays add a flurry of activity to our lives, they have a big impact on my work schedule—hello, overtime!—and they occur at the same time as the husband is already swamped with schoolwork. It’s supposed to be a season of fun, but it can feel more like a season of stress.

Recently the husband and I were talking about our lack of leisure time and he remarked that when he does get the chance for a bit of relaxation, he ends up feeling slightly guilty for using it to play a video game (he’s an avid XBOXer) or watch TV. It ends up feeling like “wasted time”, when he could be doing something more productive, like working ahead on a school assignment. I’ve felt the same way about spending a Sunday morning reading magazines in a bubble bath instead of tackling a home project. But really: if you’re enjoying yourself, isn’t that the whole point? What you’re doing might not look important or productive to someone else, but if it helps you relax and enjoy a bit of your day, then I think it’s fine.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for being lazy. Read a book! Take a walk through the leaves! Try a new hobby! But don’t feel bad for those days when you spend an hour on Pinterest or binge-watch a favorite TV show. Taking time out to just breathe and relax is important. It helps you better navigate the stresses of everyday life, job demands, and more. There’s nothing wasteful about that!