This morning was a disaster of my own making—an entirely avoidable one, at that. It all started with a simple yet catastrophic decision: going back to sleep.
My wife had to leave early for work, so I woke up with her, saw her off, and then—because I am, at times, my own worst enemy—I crawled back into bed. When my alarm rang at its usual time, I reasoned that there was no immediate need to rise and shine. Why rush? The world could wait. I could bask in the warmth of my blankets for just a little while longer.
Ah, but then—the horror! Like a bolt of lightning, it struck me. I had an appointment at the phlebotomy lab. This morning. In a moment, I went from blissful comfort to full-blown panic mode.
Suddenly, I was a man on a mission. Breakfast was a frantic affair—more a feeding frenzy than a meal. I barely finished swallowing before summoning an Uber to whisk me across town. Somehow, by sheer force of will (and the generosity of traffic lights), I arrived roughly on time. My reward? A needle in my arm and the satisfaction of knowing I had narrowly avoided disaster.
The Saga of the Quarterly Lab Visit
This whole lab ordeal isn’t a weekly thing, thank goodness. It happens once every three months—a fun little prelude to my nephrologist appointments. The lab used to be conveniently located within walking distance, but those were the good old days. Now, thanks to the ever-evolving world of healthcare logistics, both my doctor’s office and the lab have migrated to opposite ends of the city. Since my wife was at work, Uber was my chariot of choice.
A Kidney’s Hard-Won Victory
Once upon a time, my kidneys were in such dire shape that a transplant was on the horizon—stage five of kidney disease, the final boss level. But through some miracle of discipline (and possibly sheer stubbornness), I clawed my way back to stage three. Even my doctors were impressed. Kidneys don’t just bounce back like that. It’s been an uphill battle—strict diet, exercise, a truckload of medication—but I intend to keep it that way. If my kidneys have fought this hard, the least I can do is not sabotage them.
The Curious Case of the Urgency-Driven Wife
Speaking of discipline, my wife operates on a completely different level. She thrives on urgency. More time? Not helpful. More deadlines? That’s where she shines. She has goals stacked like dominos—lifelong ones, yearly ones, monthly ones, and even daily ones. Meanwhile, I apparently struggle with remembering a single appointment that’s been on my calendar for months.
A Morning Lost in Translation
In my defense, I used to have a built-in scheduling assistant—my wife. For years, she managed my appointments with an efficiency that I now recognize I took for granted. But since 2017, I’ve been the proud (if slightly forgetful) owner of my own calendar. And today, that system failed spectacularly. I’m fairly certain I ignored every phone alarm. Maybe I was half-asleep. Maybe I was just being me.
The Aftermath of Chaos
Once I got back home—blood drawn, dignity slightly bruised—I tried to restore order to my day. I worked out, did my language practice, and checked off my morning to-do list. By some miracle, I still had time before dinner prep to catch my breath and, of course, write about my self-inflicted chaos. What is the moral of the story? Maybe don’t ignore your alarms. Or better yet, don’t trust a half-asleep brain to make scheduling decisions. It does not have your best interests at heart.
Today is a bit of a whirlwind—but in the best way possible. First off, it’s my sister’s birthday, which is reason enough to celebrate. Even better, we’re heading over to her brand-new house, a place she and her family just bought. However, there’s a slight plot twist: her household has been on a merry-go-round of sickness for weeks. What is the official party status? Still a little up in the air.
She hadn’t confirmed anything earlier, but I assumed the celebration was still happening. Turns out, I guessed right—she texted this morning that we’re good to go. That means I get to see her, which is great news, and my wife—who adores our niece—is downright thrilled. She’s been working on my sister’s birthday gifts for months. Usually, she buys them early and lets them sit around like museum exhibits, waiting for their grand unveiling. This time, though, she’s been swamped with year-end work, so guess who got the honor of wrapping everything? That’s right—me. And if I do say so myself, those gifts are wrapped with precision, if not perfection.
Of course, with all the festivities, my well-laid weekend plans had to shuffle around. Running? Rescheduled. Vacuuming? Pushed to tomorrow—without a hint of regret. My wife, ever the planner, had already mapped out next week’s meals, and rather than making a separate trip, she cleverly added her bag to the grocery list. That way, we can swing by Kroger on the way home and check that errand off without a fuss. Efficiency at its finest.
One small concern: my wife pointed out that lingering too long at my sister’s might not be the best idea, given their recent bout of illness. Fair point. Usually, my brother-in-law takes charge of the kitchen—he’s a fantastic cook and loves whipping up meals for any and all occasions. But this time, they’re playing it safe with Chinese takeout. As for dessert? That’s covered. I baked a cake yesterday, and it’s ready to steal the show.
Now, let’s talk about my wife’s relationship with time—she fills every minute of the day like it’s a carry-on bag that absolutely must fit in the overhead compartment. Even on a day like this, her schedule is packed. She’s up at an ungodly hour, claiming it makes her more productive. And honestly? It works. The woman does not stop—unless she’s ill (which is rare because she’s extra careful about germs, mostly for my sake). I, on the other hand, take a more… measured approach. I know exactly what I need to get done this weekend, and I’m confident it’ll all be wrapped up smoothly.
For now, though, the to-do list can wait. We’re off to celebrate, see the new house, and enjoy some cake. Priorities, right?
At long last, it seems the days of running in the bone-chilling cold are behind me. No more bracing for that sharp, icy slap of air first thing in the morning. As long as I give the sun a little time to do its job, the temperatures are downright pleasant. Granted, today still has a bit of a seasonal chill, but compared to last week? Practically tropical. And if the forecast holds, we might even tiptoe into actual warm territory soon.
With the start of a new week, I’m determined to hit the ground running—both literally and figuratively. I’ve stacked my to-do list a little higher than usual since my wife has been working longer hours. It’s her busiest season (audit and tax season—fun times), so I’m trying to take some things off her plate. A small gesture, but one that hopefully makes a difference.
The upside of this milder weather? My runs are feeling smoother, and faster when it’s too cold, my body protests. But now? Now, I can focus on picking up my pace and making the most of my workouts. And, of course, with spring around the corner, outdoor chores are about to demand their fair share of attention.
After wrapping up my morning exercise, I dove into my other tasks. Blog post? Almost done. Run? Still on the agenda. And then there’s my writing project—the one I’ve been neglecting. I plan to chip away at it while listening to Sanderson’s writing lectures, which, if I’m being honest, I should have been doing last week.
Confession time: I completely slacked off. I let distractions win. Writing? Ignored. Lectures? Skipped. The result? I’m further behind than I should be, and to make matters worse, I’m still floundering when it comes to figuring out how long writing a book should take. That uncertainty makes it too easy to procrastinate.
My wife, on the other hand, takes a much more structured approach. Whenever she starts a new writing project, she logs everything—research time, drafting hours, and revisions. She fully admits her memory isn’t great for tracking details, so she writes it all down. And here’s the key: after going through the process a few times, she gets a clear sense of how long each phase takes. She’s cracked the code.
Maybe it’s time I do the same. If I track my progress, I might finally figure out what’s realistic instead of just guessing (or, worse, stalling). So, here’s to getting back on track—one run, one blog post, and one writing session at a time.
It was one of the days that I felt like I just wanted to stay in bed. Ever since I got my brain stroke, I cannot stand cold at all. Before I had my brain stroke, I had a much higher heartbeat and blood pressure, and I always felt hot. We used to live in Canada; my wife complained because I would open our bedroom window while sleeping. Ever since I can remember, my wife has kept her temperature around 65F or 18C during the winter. So our house would always be cool in the winter. I was hot all the time. Now, I feel cold.
I had difficulty forcing myself from bed this morning. I initially woke 45 minutes before my alarm. During the summer months, I would start my run early. But it’s so chilly. I hesitated. I crawled back to bed after using the restroom and fell back asleep. When my alarm sounded, I turned it off and snuggled back under the warm covers, staying awake but in bed and warm for a half hour. Despite the early morning, my wife was already out of bed a few hours before me. She wakes up much earlier every day.
Eventually, I forced myself to throw back the blankets and start my day. When I woke up, my wife was already done running, studying Geman, and writing something in the notebook in the dining room. She has more things to do in her morning routine, as she will create the menu for the upcoming week and create a grocery list. Somehow, we bought four limes that became bad after ten days, which she was upset about. She does not like wasting food ingredients since we should be able to control that with proper planning. Also, she thinks it is sinful to waste food. I know she lists why we wasted the food on the lists. Then, she would write about how to avoid such an event again. The year is almost over, but we don’t have one page of wasted food.
Observing my wife also made me question whether I had wasted time today. I’ve been delaying my run in my office, allowing it to warm up further, but I think I’ve wasted enough time now and will start my run shortly. I still need to do weekly house vacuuming chores and clean leaves outside.
Later, I talked to my wife about this morning, and she said she would put on the space heater before she goes running going forward. She also understands that my body condition is different. I hope it will work better.
I’m finding it hard to motivate myself to start my run today. The house was much chilly than the last couple of weeks, and all I wanted to do was stay in the house. In addition, I was sleepy all day. Yep, it’s my procrastination problem again. The weather gives me an excuse to delay starting my run; the longer I delay, the warmer it becomes.
Despite how I feel, I have an important task to accomplish. It’s a new month, so I want to achieve my November 10k challenge. My wife and I use a running app from Asics. We use the free version of the app, which has running or working challenges. I would love to complete the 10K challenge. The challenge will go away once I complete it, but it still gives me a sense of accomplishment.
My wife has been complaining about the dark mornings, and she feels much more sleepy during the day. She told me that she needed to hibernate for the winter one day. In general, we have our biological clock, which adjusts our energy level according to the season. Winter is not a good time to hunt or farm. It would have been much more difficult for people to acquire food. We developed a biological clock to adjust our energy level with the season to survive. Of course, the biological clock does not work for the modern day.
I remember my wife telling me that she had a hard time losing weight from fall to winter. She adjusted her exercise program to gain more muscles around the season.
I look at the temperature. It is not warm enough to run in shorts yet, and I am curious how warm it will be. I have been making excuses not to do 10km. No matter how much I value running, a 10km run is still more work. So, I stood up, and I made a decision. I think I’ve delayed long enough to run in shorts but a long-sleeved shirt. So, now is the time. Avoiding procrastination is a lot harder when there are additional benefits to waiting.
It is much easier to overcome my procrastination problem if I consider the satisfaction or benefits I gain from it. I completed my 10km run, checked off the monthly challenge, and gained so much satisfaction from it.
I have been organizing my schedule. My routine has been disrupted this week due to a blood lab appointment. In addition to the appointment, I also wanted to make apple pies and pumpkin muffins for my wife. For weeks, I have noticed that some schedule changes could impact my daily routine. I want to keep my schedule so that I have accomplished something for the day.
The best way to increase your satisfaction in your daily routine is to keep it organized and prioritize your tasks. Not all tasks provide me with an equal amount of satisfaction. However, it is still essential to do the tasks, such as going to the lab or my doctor, that have a due date or must be done. My wife created the task list and put the rate on each task, which she learned in her teens and customized to fit her needs. I would not do the same way she does, but I adjusted my schedule to accomplish something I care about, such as exercise.
I created my tasks around the exercise because that gave me the most satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment for the day. Aside from finishing this blog entry, which I’m working on now. I’ve completed most of my Friday chores a couple of hours early. After my exercise, I seem to gain more energy.
Procrastination is my biggest problem. Even after my exercise, I have much less energy than my wife. I’ve worked to eliminate the problem but still suffer from the temptation, even with the extra energy I seem to have. Today, I was tempted to pause my progress or put aside the tasks. I noticed those tasks accumulated so quickly in the later days, so I decided to complete everything before relaxing. It was a good decision I made. I created momentum to complete my tasks more quickly. Every time I complete my checklist, I gain more energy. As a result, I will likely have another hour or two until my friends become available to play our regularly scheduled games.
Organizing and prioritizing my tasks help me sustain adequate energy to complete them. When I complete the tasks that mean a lot to me, I gain much more energy. When you get momentum, you will gain a flow. I could be better. I still struggle with the temptation of procrastination, but I am working toward it.
About two months ago, my wife proposed a few yard projects we need to do this year. Some projects can depend on temperature or seasons so that they can be tricky. For example, she insisted that we do deck staining this year. My wife planned to do this sometime this summer.
My wife usually plans projects for at least several months to eliminate any obstacles to completing a project ahead of time. Her problem is that she needs more time since she is busy.
Deck staining demands many external conditions, which we need to watch for. She told me the deck must be stained when the temperature is 50F to 90F without rain for at least 24 hours. That eliminated substantial summer days. The ideal temperature would be Spring. However, we got a lot of rain in Nashville in the spring, so she did not want to do this project in the spring. So, we have between September and October to do this project.
There is something we can do ahead of time. For example, we can clean our deck beforehand so that the deck will be easy to sand and stain.
My wife combined two projects at once. One was to clean the siding of our house and the deck. She wanted to rent a power washer from a nearby Home Depot so we could do both simultaneously. She took a day off this Friday, Thursday, and Friday of the upcoming week. The following week is a long weekend, so it would be the perfect time for a project like cleaning and washing.
After my run, we did some yard work to prepare for winter and the upcoming projects we have been forming. Today, we wanted to remove any weeds or extra trees that may interrupt our side or deck washing.
Afterward, we got some delicious gyro plates from a nearby restaurant. I also completed my daily chores: bottled kombucha, did laundry, and put it away. So I called, and today was our successful day.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve introduced some new routines into my daily life, including running and lawn mowing. While these activities are refreshing and beneficial, they’ve also presented challenges, particularly in maintaining my schedule. I’ve found it difficult to complete my tasks as smoothly as I would like, and it’s made me reflect on how we often need to make adjustments when we introduce something new into our lives. When you’re trying something unfamiliar, it’s common to tweak your routine multiple times before it feels right and fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. Without these adjustments, there’s a risk of falling into a pattern of making excuses to avoid specific tasks, especially the more daunting ones. Eventually, you might stop doing them altogether.
In my case, I’ve been trying to juggle multiple responsibilities—on top of my new running and mowing schedule; I still want to keep up with my regular chores, like laundry and vacuuming the house. It’s a balancing act, and I’ve noticed that when I try to pack too much into a single day, I get exhausted relatively quickly. The summer heat in Nashville only intensifies this fatigue, making it even harder to stay on top of everything. I realized that if I didn’t find a way to manage my time and energy better, I might start dropping some of these activities, which I didn’t want to happen.
After some trial and error, I discovered that the key to improving my routines—running, kombucha bottling, or laundry—was to start earlier. This simple change has made a significant difference. For example, I’ve started bottling kombucha and doing laundry a day earlier than I used to. Additionally, I’ve begun running and lawn mowing several hours earlier in the day. These adjustments have been surprisingly effective.
I implemented my new laundry plan this week, and it’s been a success. Instead of doing all the laundry in one go, I’ve split the tasks across two days. I tackle some of the laundry on Thursday and finish the rest on Friday. This change has had a positive ripple effect on my running routine. I’m not as exhausted as I used to be, so I have more energy left for my runs later in the day. In fact, I beat my target pace while running this morning—a small victory that felt incredibly rewarding. It’s incredible how a few simple tweaks can lead to such noticeable improvements in multiple areas of life.
From this experience, I’ve learned that starting tasks earlier not only helps me get them done more efficiently but also reduces the mental burden of having to begin them in the first place. There’s something liberating about knowing that I’ve already checked off a significant part of my to-do list by the time the day is in full swing. It’s one less thing to worry about, and that peace of mind is invaluable.
Looking forward, when I think about new routines or habits I want to develop, I’ll keep this lesson in mind: start earlier than necessary. This approach not only sets me up for success but also opens the door to further improvements down the line. While I might find opportunities to refine these routines in the future, for now, I’m satisfied with the progress I’ve made. It’s a good reminder that the most minor changes can sometimes have the most significant impact.
My day begins between 5:15 and 5:30 a.m. without the jolt of an alarm clock; I wake naturally when my body is ready. To ensure I get the requisite seven hours of sleep, as tracked by my Fitbit, I aim to be in bed by 9 p.m. Sleeping less than this leads to a sluggish day, as I typically lose approximately an hour to wakefulness through the night.
How I start my day is essential—it sets the tone for everything that follows. My morning routine spans from the moment I wake until about 8 a.m., with slight modifications on the days I head into the office by 7 a.m. Nonetheless, I completed most of my routine by the 8 o’clock mark.
via. NightCafe
Harnessing the Morning Light With Early Morning Run
Running in the early morning has become a vital part of my daily routine, not only for the physical benefits but also for the incredible surge of energy it provides. Stepping out into the morning light, I feel as though it infuses me with vitality—an uplifting experience I only discovered after moving to Nashville. Previously, while living in Canada, my runs were typically scheduled during lunch or post-work due to shorter, colder days.
Nashville’s climate posed new challenges with its hot, humid afternoons, making morning runs a more appealing option. Despite the summer heat, morning temperatures here hover between 68°F and 72°F (20C to 22C), which is quite comfortable for running. Even in winter, the occasional freezing temperatures don’t last, making it easier to maintain my routine.
I was annoyed to wake up early to run. However, the benefits soon became apparent once I started running in the morning. The morning light, I learned, plays a crucial role in regulating our internal clock, or circadian rhythm. According to research by Walker et al., consistent exposure to the natural light-dark cycle helps prevent mood and sleep disorders. It can even reduce the risk of chronic diseases (pp.2 – pp.3).
Realizing the profound impact of morning light, I reshuffled my routine to include runs every morning. On office days, I limit myself to a 3km run. This adjustment has allowed me to enjoy the energizing effects of morning exercise without overwhelming my schedule. Now, running isn’t just a part of my routine—it’s a therapeutic start to my day, enhancing my well-being and keeping my internal clock in check.
From Movement to Mindfulness
Running isn’t just a physical activity for me; it’s a powerful catalyst for creativity. As I run, blood circulates vigorously throughout my body, enriching my brain with oxygen and inspiring a flood of ideas. This period of physical exertion becomes a prime time for brainstorming, often leading me to exciting insights and solutions.
Previously, I would listen to audiobooks to pass the time while running, but I found that it stifled my creative process. The audio content overwhelmed my thoughts, blocking the natural flow of ideas. One day, I chose silence over soundtracks; the impact was immediate and profound.
To capture the surge of ideas post-run, I immediately began journaling on my phone before taking a post-run shower. I realized the action of taking a shower made me forget the ideas I generated during my run. So, recording my thoughts became the priority. I use the Notion app on my mobile phone for its accessibility and ease. With just a few taps, I can open the app and log everything that crossed my mind during my run, ensuring that I can revisit and utilize these insights later, all without missing a step in my cool-down routine.
Roma Wasn’t Built In a Day, Nor will be my German.
Dedicating time to learning German is vital to my daily routine, though it might seem modest at first glance. On weekdays, I manage to carve out about 20 minutes, while weekends allow for a more extended study session of 40-50 minutes. Despite the packed nature of my schedule, these 20 minutes are a window where I aim to absorb at least one or two new words each day.
My approach to learning is structured: About 25-30% of my time is spent acquiring new content, and the remainder is devoted to reviewing previous lessons. This method ensures that each new information is reinforced and stored in my long-term memory. On Saturdays, I revisit the material from the last week, and Sundays are reserved for reviewing what I learned a month ago.
This rigorous review process means that most of what I learn becomes deeply embedded in my long-term memory. This gradual, consistent approach works best for me. Learning a little each day and accumulating knowledge over time proves to be more effective and less stressful than trying to cram and risking burnout. It’s a gentle, steady pace—much like a toddler’s steps—that leads to lasting progress.
The Power of Morning Journaling
After I take a shower, I start writing on Morning Journals. The morning journal serves as my mental cleansing ritual, where I offload the clutter from my mind. With this process, focusing on my morning meditation is likely due to the constant barrage of thoughts about upcoming tasks.
This technique was inspired by Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, where she introduces the concept of “morning pages.” I’ve adapted it into what I call my morning journal. Constantly interrupting what I need to be next prevents me from creating ideas. Not surprisingly, many of these are to-do items, reflecting my preoccupation with what needs to be done next.
My English professor used to tell me to try to make a draft without thinking about grammar first. Now I see her point. This stream of consciousness often reveals how these incessant thoughts prevent me from listening to my inner voice. They keep me tied to a routine, doing what needs to be done rather than what I desire to do. The routine becomes monotonous and controlling.
After journaling, I reflect on what I’ve written and identify the tasks that genuinely resonate with me—those that will bring me joy upon completion. It’s a small practice but has gradually led to deeper self-understanding and a more fulfilling daily life.
Organizing the Day by Crafting an Effective To-Do List
Immediately after journaling each morning, I transition to creating my daily to-do list. I select a few tasks from my morning journal entries and record them in a dotted notebook, which I’ve found more effective than the Post-it notes and Google Calendar methods I used previously.
Drawing from my experience in project management, I approach my personal tasks with similar strategic planning. For any project to be managed effectively, it’s crucial to break down tasks thoroughly, understand their sequence, and recognize dependencies and potential roadblocks—like needing your boss’s approval before proceeding. I’ve honed this detailed structuring over years of managing projects.
Once I’ve laid out my tasks, prioritization is my next step. I determine the most critical tasks and assign them to my peak productivity hours, usually between 10 a.m. and noon. I use Google Calendar for scheduling, which helps me maintain a balanced daily workload and ensures I can handle my challenges.
Not every day is perfect; sometimes, tasks remain unfinished. In such cases, my notebook becomes especially valuable. At the end of each day, I jot down “lessons learned,” reflecting on why I could not complete them. This practice is not just about record-keeping; it’s a tool for continual improvement, allowing me to reflect on my days and improve my productivity over time.
Ritual of My Short Morning Meditation
I have discovered that a brief morning meditation provides a refreshing start to my day. While these sessions are too short to yield significant physiological benefits, they are crucial in setting a positive tone for the day ahead. This practice began as an experiment in April 2024, driven by curiosity, and has since evolved into a cherished part of my morning routine.
Initially, I struggled to establish a consistent meditation habit and found it difficult to focus during these sessions. However, by scheduling meditation after completing my to-do list, I removed the distraction of pending tasks, allowing me to engage more fully with the practice. This sequence helps me clear my mind and approach the day with a calm, focused mindset.
Even when I go to our office, I make sure to fit in a concise meditation. This practice helps center me no matter the length, ensuring I start my day with a clear and focused intention.
Integrating Daily Study Sessions into Lifelong Learning
I dedicate 30-45 minutes to learning after my morning meditation. My approach to continuing education is broad and systematic, incorporating a variety of topics to keep my knowledge base diverse and current. I follow a yearly learning plan, which I adjust monthly based on my immediate needs or if an urgent work requirement demands specific expertise.
Holding several professional designations requires me to complete 30-40 hours of continuing education annually. My morning study sessions contribute significantly towards this goal, allowing me to accumulate approximately 100 hours of continuing education each year. This practice of learning new things not only enriches my professional skills but also energizes me, fueling my enthusiasm for the day ahead.
After absorbing new information, I take a minute to jot down key points on a letter-sized paper. This quick summary helps cement my understanding and provides a reference for future use, often proving invaluable for solving work-related challenges or everyday issues.
Lessons in Persistence Inspired by Ancient Wisdom and My Husband
The ancient Chinese believed that even the gentle drip of water could eventually wear through rock, given enough time. This principle of persistence resonates deeply with me and has influenced the development of my morning routine. While some may view my structured mornings as a sign of hard work, they are more of a commitment to gradual, consistent effort.
My husband’s journey has been a profound inspiration in this regard. After a severe stroke robbed him of his mobility, he had to relearn basic skills one small step at a time. Through unwavering persistence, he runs 10km—better than ever before his stroke—and has regained nearly all his pre-stroke abilities, including cooking and baking. His recovery has been a powerful reminder that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant achievements.
Incorporating activities like waking early, running, and meditating into my routine wasn’t initially enjoyable, yet I recognized their benefits for my productivity. I often started new habits in the past, only to abandon them when they felt uncomfortable. However, influenced by my husband’s example, I adopted a strategy of small, incremental changes, trusting that these efforts would accumulate and become ingrained in my routine. Adapting to include meditation regularly was challenging, but now it’s a seamless part of my morning.
By the time I complete these activities, I am fully prepared to tackle the day’s work or household chores. Despite originally being a night owl, I’ve discovered that an early start leads to a more productive, energized day. Due to time constraints, I often move through my morning tasks with a sense of urgency, which adds intensity to the process. This brisk start charges me up and creates momentum that carries me through the rest of the day with vitality and purpose.
Reference
Walker, W. H., Walton, James C., DeVrie, A. C., & Nelson, R. J. (2020). Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health. Translational Psychiatry, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-0694-0
We’ve been gifted a free Saturday for the first time in several weeks. It’s been a hectic period, and this reprieve feels like a gentle exhale. While our usual chores beckon, there are no additional errands, family visits, or specific shopping trips crowding our agenda. The next burst of activity won’t come until the end of June when we venture out to pick blueberries.
In my mind, we were completely obligation-free. However, I quickly discovered that was only my perspective. As I settled into what I thought would be a lazy morning, I wandered into my room only to hear about my wife’s detailed cleaning agenda for the weekend. She’s set her sights on tackling the garage and reorganizing our storage room/pantry in preparation for the bustling month of June. Post-July will be dominated by our annual canning spree, making this the perfect time for such endeavors.
I’ve promised to assist with clearing out and tidying up whatever she deems necessary on this relatively calm Saturday. Aside from the cleaning, she’s also planned to whip up another batch of homemade tofu and has tasked me with bottling the kombucha, which I aim to do right after breakfast.
Though initially, I pictured a day spent lounging; my Saturday will be productive in a different yet equally satisfying way. Engaging in these practical tasks not only prepares us for the busier days ahead but also brings a sense of accomplishment and readiness for whatever the weeks ahead throw our way.
