Day 18: Plan Your Perfect Day, then Make It Happen
“Sit down and brainstorm all the things that would go into the perfect day. Take the time to describe a day where you discard other people’s ideas of what you should be doing and instead focus on what’s best for you and your happiness. If you had all the money or opportunities in the world, no preconceived notions, how would you spend your time? What would that day really look like?” (Daily Stoic New Year, New You Challenge Email. Day 18)
I feel like I am in the midst of a perfect day, so I’d like to reflect on it so far and then create a blueprint from there.
It’s Saturday and I woke up at 7:15 am. My fiance had made me coffee, so I poured a steaming cup and got cozy on the couch next to her. I held my coffee and trained my eye on the bird feeder to see if any hummingbirds would join us, but it turns out they also rise later on the weekend! Thirty minutes later, we got ready to head out to South Lake Tahoe. I was happy that I had packed the night before, so it didn’t take long to have our winter gear, snacks, and Skye’s essentials ready to go and hit the road.
From 8:30 to 10:30 we drove through the East Bay hills, and I reflected on how it had almost been a year since I’d traveled this way and how much I loved the rolling green hills dotted with black cows. We stopped at an O’Reilly’s Auto Parts store outside of Sacramento to grab some tire chains in case we needed them, and the staff was so helpful and kind. It was so noticeable compared to the daily gruffness of the city. We snagged some McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches and continued on our way.
For the next part of our journey, I listened to Day 5 of Cathy Heller’s 2020 Vision Challenge. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her passion and commitment in these videos this week, and I thought about the six categories or things that are “me” – as in, what do I like? I pulled out my teal notebook and jotted down:
- coffee
- travel, culture, language
- growth, learning, self-development
- beaches, mountains, being outdoors
- writing, new ideas, communication, expression
- working out, trying new forms of fitness, playing soccer
- music, sports, and experiences
It made me happy to revel in the things that make me, me, and to consider that by just being more and more me – and not who I think I need to be – I can build better relationships, express my heart more fully, and share my passions with those who share in them.
My heart was so full as we turned the corner and witnessed Lake Tahoe in all of her glory in front of us. We checked into Hotel Azure, and went on a 3-mile excursion around the town to allow Skye time to frolic and us time to enjoy holding hands and admiring the stunning views. I made the perfect snowball and threw a bullseye into the middle of a sturdy pine tree. I hardly ever post Instagram stories, but today I felt so inspired by the beauty of my surroundings that I fired off four in a row! I wanted to share the cool blue colors and the excitement of Skye in the snow with the world. To me, this is a sign that I am expressed, that I am not holding back, and I love it.
And now, here I am, cozy in the hotel room at 3 in the afternoon, resting up before an afternoon of picking up skis, deciding on dinner, and bowling! I read the Daily Stoic email and got to writing this post. Usually I don’t bring my computer to Tahoe, but I’ve been enjoying this opportunity to write so much that I couldn’t turn down a chance to write if I felt like it.
OK, a perfect weekend day feels easy to conjure up. As you can see as I am in the midst of a perfect day and it’s included all the things that I shared make me me – coffee in the morning, traveling to a new spot, spending time outdoors, learning and writing about my experience – and doing all of this with someone that I love by my side.
If I take everything that I love from this perfect day and use it as inspiration for my perfect “normal” day, here’s what I think it would look like (pre-children 😉 )
- 6 am – wake up well-rested, make delicious coffee, cozy up in my chair by the window, watch the sunrise as I write a blog post
- 7 am – take Skye on an hourlong walk on a beautiful trail with lots of trees and pretty views
- 8 am – make a delicious fried egg with smoked salmon and avocado for breakfast
- 9 am – surf in the ocean right by my house
- 10:30 am – 1 pm
- Meet with my coach
- Record a podcast on Soul Excellence
- Create a new checklist, tool, or workbook on Soul Excellence
- 1 pm – make a delicious salad for lunch
- 2 pm – 4 pm
- Meet with a friend for coffee
- Meet with a client 1:1
- 4:30 pm – lift weights, do yoga, go to the gym, anything physical around this time
- 6 pm – another walk with Skye
- 7 pm – make dinner together and maybe watch an episode of Married at First Sight 😆
- 8:30 pm – plan for the next day; research a new vacation idea; read a book
- 10 pm – get cozy in my bed and drift off to dream land
Today’s been pretty perfect and it’s only 3:30. On tap for tomorrow – skiing at Heavenly – can life get more perfect? Amazingly, I think it can!
