Article by Wendy McCance
I have been fairly busy recently. I am in the midst of learning the ropes at the real estate office. Between the days at work and the nights reviewing paperwork, setting up profiles and connecting with a few people who are looking to buy a home, my free time has been sparse.
When I have a free moment of I tend to go right to my blog to write a post. As I was thinking about what I would write about today, I began to think of how I use my free time. I mean those moments where there isn’t a ton of time, but you are looking to decompress a little. What was it that I would do when I got some down time?
The first place I tend to go to is my computer. All of those years I swore I’d never use one and then slowly gave in to the changes in the world. Now I’m an addict. I have a crazy pattern whenever I turn my computer on. I check my mail (2 different accounts), one for family and one for business. Then I go to my blogs. I answer comments, write a post, check my stats and check out new followers blogs. On to Facebook and Twitter to see what has been newly posted. Then I go to the Yahoo front page to read the latest stories that were posted. Finally if there is still time, I land on Bravo, A and E, VH1 or MTV to watch a reality show (yes, I’m one of those people). If I somehow manage to avoid the computer I will clean (which I’m sure most people would think is odd), read a magazine, read a book (if I really have a decent chunk of time) or go for a bike ride (ah nature, nothing like getting out and breathing some fresh air).
It’s incredible, but I noticed there is no mention of connecting with people. My job is social and my life is busy with 3 children and a husband who tend to keep me on my toes and out and about in the world. My down time is my time. I tend to enjoy my own company best. The way I really feel reenergize is when I can do something that is utterly me. I relish some time where it’s very quiet and I can truly hear my thoughts. I enjoy a little hibernation from the world every now and then.
My question to you is what do you enjoy doing when you have some time to unwind? Do you typically have a particular thing you do, or do you just fly by the seat of your pants? I’m not talking about a day off, but rather an hour or two. I look forward to reading what you find is the best way to decompress. 
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Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
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Humm… Let me think. I love to walk. It helps me clear out the day, sweep out the cobwebs in my brain and refresh me. It’s funny how that works. I power walk, get tried and sweaty and it refreshes me.
Love it.
I find the best way to really unwind is to go to a favourite place. Back in Norway my family have a summer house out on an island group in the Atlantic and we have cabin inland close to the mountains. From there I had a couple of fishing spots I used to walk to alone. Not just to fish, I did not care if a got a fish or not, but I could for some hour just let my thoughts, dreams get the freedom they need without being interrupted. I have now moved to Australia and away from my favourite places, but I do some times finding it very good to just go outside and find a quiet place in a park or on a walkway. And just sit down and let the mind gets it freedom, for me to relax is to let my mind have the freedom to dream and to philosophize.
That sounds incredible. I used to do a lot of fishing when I was younger. I was like you and loved it for the peacefulness and the beauty of my surroundings. If I got a fish, it was a bonus.
I try not to wind any more than I have to, so I don’t often need to unwind
To be honest, computers are now the big temptation! But, speaking to my loved ones, walking around in a big park, getting into the tub, listeng to some conference… having a glass of wine… wow…! when we analyze how many great things there are… we would like to erase from all dictionaries the word “bored”… Best luck!
Hi Rosa, thanks for your great comment.
If I have nothing to do such as checking emails or blogging I like to sit back put my feet up and watch some telly………….or sometimes I just like to turn everything off and do nothing and just enjoy the quiet…………….My husband never thought he would use a computer much but since he bought himself a laptop he will sit and do something at the computer most days of the week…….lol
Funny how we come to rely on the computer so much I feel strange if I don’t spend some time online blogging I like to check in with my online friends and find out what they are doing.
I watch really old reruns on TVLand.
I love TVLand. The old shows are the best.
first thing I do is go to my emails …then my blog…then facebook where I get in touch with friends. Like you if I have a good block of time I read a book……and of course my music…..now that always relaxes me!
Isn’t it funny the routines we will get in without having realized it? Thanks so much for your comment.
Since I’m not a ‘born’ writer like you, I dont run to grab pen & paper unless I have time to focus. But I am a lover of the written word. So I read, anything I can get my hands on. I have books stacked everywhere. So if I have small little bits of time I will pick one up and ready away. Or log on and read blog after blog until I have completely run out fo time
But I dont sit still for long, not my nature so perhaps I will also clean up a bit, some laundry here dishes there, a little walk about in the yard to pick up sticks & pine cones. Like you my time is ‘me’ time.
Nice post
I instantly wanted to pop over to check out your books.
Relaxing… hmmm… for me writing my blog posts is actually relaxing. Seriously…
Probably not helpful as a suggestion though.
No, I get it, me too!! Probably a lot of people with blogs would say that.