A day off work done right

Alone with my thoughts—that's all I need, and it's all anyone really needs. It's a human experience, and it's pure bliss. Whether it's a trip to the beach or treating yourself to a day out at a nice café, everyone is entitled to a "you day"-a day dedicated solely to you and your thoughts.

I’ll start this story by sharing how I use my day off to unwind and recharge. After long workdays, especially those spent on my feet, I truly appreciate a day of doing nothing and simply getting lost in my own thoughts. Some days it's about being creative, and other days it's about going on a city escape, taking a walk in the fresh air around a lake, or getting lost in a book.

Today I chose a bit of everything, completely free with my 24 hours to use. Here is a day in the life of a girl enjoying her whole day to herself.

Slept in, but that's okay. There's no rush, is there? There is nothing planned, and that's usually when the best things happen. The best things that I want to do. Eventually, I arise and adapt to whatever weather the day has to offer, and this is usually the ultimate decision-maker regarding what I do. However, today was a great day—just a typical day in Southeast Queensland, Australia.

I do all the usual morning activities, like having coffee, eating breakfast, and taking a shower. I love making my coffee, and a good cup usually tastes best in the morning after I shower. I'm a bit of a demon when it comes to drinking too much coffee! I usually like to use a French press, and I take it black. I don't put any milk in it. The taste of the coffee on its own is wonderful.

A nice hot coffee in the morning is perfect, especially on a cold morning like today. With a coffee in hand and a soft couch beneath me, I sipped and focused on nothing but the enjoyment of the coffee. I didn’t need anything more than that.

The weather was in my favour, and the coffee hit just right. I left the house with a spring in my step—perhaps that coffee was a triple shot, but that was okay too. I had a clear destination in mind, one that never fails to bring beauty to my day.

Not far from my home is a beautiful lake, filled with natural beauty that nourishes the soul. Before I headed there, I grabbed some lunch, knowing I would be out for a while, and, of course, I got another coffee to take with me. It was quiet, and not many people went there during the day, so I had plenty of picnic tables to choose from. I left my lunch for a bit until I felt like eating it. It was a sandwich that I kept in a cooler. I also opted for an iced coffee this time. Super refreshing.

I lay down on the bench and decided to have a rest, taking in the sounds around me. The birds in the trees, the crickets, frogs and the water. So peaceful. As I lay there, I looked up at the trees with their beautiful branches sprawling across the blue sky. But wait, what was that? There was a round lump moving in the crevice of one of the high branches. I couldn't believe it; I was looking at a koala! I knew they were in the area, and I guess it was very quiet. What a highlight of the day that was! The koala was relaxing, and so was I.

I managed to take plenty of photos of him—some memorable keepsakes. I had my lunch while watching the koala, and he was also watching me. His little face was peering down at me while I was snacking away. I wonder what he thought of me.

After I finished eating, I took one last walk around the lake, leaving the koala to relax without me staring at him the whole time. I wanted him to enjoy his sleep. The weather was perfect, the temperature mild, and I had a lovely, slow walk around the lake, taking in everything nature had to offer that day.

It was a Tuesday, and in Australia, that's called Cheap Tuesday at the cinemas. I thought to myself that I hadn't been to the cinema in a while and decided, "Ah, sure, why not?" I had some popcorn and even bought a drink, which was of course a Shiraz—haha! The movie was great, and the popcorn and drink really topped off the whole experience. I indulged a bit.

When the movie finished, I decided to call it a day. I went home, had dinner, and then went to bed, sleeping well because I had work the next day. I knew I would need the sleep, and I appreciated how the contrast between a day of work and a great day off gave me something to look forward to for my next day off adventure.

It was a day thoroughly enjoyed. Simple things that kept me content.