I was thinking about traditions last week. Since that’s the theme of this month and since the holiday season is fast approaching, traditions are on my mind lately. It seems many of our traditions surround the holidays and surround family. And yet, what’s a tradition but a recurring activity?
Something we do again and again just because someone, somewhere along the line, started it and we’re choosing to continue it. I must admit that being a routine and schedule-lover, I cherish our traditions. I see them coming every year and I can plan for them and doing them gives me a major sense of accomplishment.
In fact, I’ve been thinking recently that I love traditions so much that I want to create some of my own, just for myself. For example, I could start one called Wednesday Lunch where each Wednesday I go to a local cafe with a favorite book and my little boy. This way, I get to eat something I love, take a little break out of my work day and get out of the house on a regular basis. (I work from home so it’s easy to stay in all day long.) If I do it once or twice, I might stop doing it but if I call it my weekly tradition, then it feels like something more substantial. It feels more sacred and I am less likely to skip it. And it means I get to actually go out and enjoy the California sunshine weekly.
After all, it’s a tradition.
So here’s my plan: set two new traditions that encourage me to do something I love on a regular basis.
How about you set one with me, too? Maybe it’s having a cup of coffee somewhere I can people-watch. Or reserving some time to read. Or writing in my journal. Maybe it’s meeting a friend to go to the movies every Thursday. It can be a daily commitment or a monthly one. Or even a yearly one. As long as it’s something that makes you happy. What would be on your list?
The following is cross-posted from the Weekly Gratitude Blog. I will post there every Tuesday and decided to post those posts here, too. For those of you who read both blogs, I apologize in advance. Some weeks the content might be different and other weeks, exactly the same.
As much as I love to read, it has been neglected lately. I’ve had several good book recommendations provided to me recently, so…I am going to start a Friday tradition of reading while my youngest takes her nap. Forget the housework, yardwork, internet, laundry and just sit down and lose myself in a story. A great way to start the weekend, eh?
did you read this past friday? what book are you reading. and OMG I just realized i owe you an email don’t i????? I am so so sorry. I am off to bed but i swear you’re on the top of my list for the morning. I am SO SORRY!!
I love this idea of small traditions for yourself. I’m not sure how to fit it into my busy days at the moment, but I’ll keep pondering the idea…
i think you can make the time. even if it’s just 15minutes a day. it’s amazing how much taking a tiny amount of time for yourself can do for your day. jmho. đŸ™‚