The Life Happening in Between
I have a lot I hope to enjoy between now and the end of the year. Whether I actually do is another question.
With Halloween this week, followed by Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, we're beginning one of the busiest times of the year. It's also one of the times I look forward to most. Well, kind of.
I love making holidays special for the people in my life. I enjoy making people feel welcome.
Getting my home in order to receive guests is important to me, and I have help with that. I also enjoy planning the menu, drinks and how the table will be set. I’ve done this more than a few times and I have learned to do as much as possible in advance because it has become important to me to enjoy the conversations, stories and laughter.
Life happens on the days between the holidays.
There are many things I want more of during the holiday season that have nothing to do with the celebrations themselves. I'd love a Saturday or Sunday baking cookies or having hot cocoa while listening to Christmas music with the fireplace on. I want to go out and enjoy the Christmas lights, and I have plans for peppermint s'mores by the fire pit, followed by an evening in the Jacuzzi watching a Christmas movie on a screen in the backyard. Yet most years the holidays come and go, and I've done very little of what I wanted, especially the things that make December magical.
The holidays arrive but the world doesn't stop. I still have work to do, goals to meet and responsibilities that require my time. Holiday preparations and gatherings are added to days that were already full. This year is different because I have The Steward Edit, too, and I wouldn't change that. It has given me more than it has taken in time.
I've loved my work throughout my career, and that hasn't changed. I love writing, being creative and learning new skills while working on The Steward Edit. It actually reduces my stress levels. Well, most of the time. Working on website design or getting Flodesk to authenticate, not so much. I'm sure that had quite a bit to do with me. Just the same, I got it done. Well, the website will probably be a permanent work in progress.
Then there's home, which is quite a lot all on its own. There's always something that needs maintenance or repair. My feline and canine children need my attention, and I need theirs too. Oh, and I have grown children, a grandchild and a partner I love spending time with. I never have to wonder where my time went. I know. I have a full life. No questions from me.
This isn't just a once a year holiday problem.
I have a beautiful backyard that I often think about enjoying in the evenings. I think about coming home, pouring a glass of sparkling water or wine and sitting outside for a while. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes have made this miserable. I become their target.
I also love taking a long, warm bath, yet it's something I don't do nearly as often as I'd like. An evening can disappear into dinner, The Steward Edit and getting ready for tomorrow.
I don't know why I keep putting off the little things I want more of in my life until I have more time. When would that be? Probably no time soon.
I have no shortage of things I want to accomplish, nor do I want to treat an ordinary Tuesday as though the goal is to prepare me for Wednesday. Sometimes I feel like I'm on a roller coaster that never ends. I want less of this feeling in my life.
As the holiday season begins, I'll plan and prepare as I normally do, but I want to be part of the season, too.
I hope when January 1 arrives, I'll have enjoyed more of the things I've been hoping for instead of telling myself, maybe next year, yet again.
I have no intention of becoming less ambitious. There are too many things I still want to do.
I want to quit postponing life.