7/2/2025
11:20 am
It is another cloudy morning with a possible chance of more rain later today. It has been this way on and off since mid-April. I think this has been the wettest spring into summer transition we have had in a long time.
I don’t mind though, I enjoy these somewhat cool mornings before the afternoon heat comes sweltering in.
This is typical Oklahoma weather, you never know what it will be like by the end of the day.
It has been a while since I last wrote anything, so much for building better writing habits. It has been a hit and a miss lately.
I have been spending more time creating things through various art mediums. Learning new skills and finding new inspirations.
I saw this prompt and thought it would be a good way to get some writing in for today. I may end up writing a couple of more, just have to wait and see how I feel afterwards. That too is a deciding factor, how I feel by the afternoon after my copious amounts of coffee have kicked in.
The prompt asks “What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?”
This is kind of a two part question for me because I immediately began to compare my current daily life as a retired empty nester to when I was working a typical hourly wage job over 5 years ago.
When I was working 40 plus hours a week in job or position, my moments of comfort were limited to what I could do after work for the short 6 to 7 hours after 5 pm to around midnight. Then there was of course the weekends where everyone tries to catch up on everything from chores to managing relationships.
I would come home at the end of the work day and just have silence for at least an hour. No television, no computers, no phone, and sometimes a quick 20 minute nap to unwind. I was still an empty nester and had no real responsibilities except for my pets.
After that brief respite from the daily noise of life, I would then concentrate on crafting projects or writing. If I felt like I just needed to be out of the house then I would go to a movie or grab a bite to eat. Sometimes I would swing by a coffee shop and indulge in a pastry and an overpriced coffee.
The weekends were for more sleep. No alarms to be set, no early morning activities, and just spending the day in my pajamas if I wanted to.
I would switch up and drink matcha while I did my writing. Listening to my everchanging playlist as a nicely scented candle burned nearby. If those were rainy mornings it would make the mood even better. I would imagine myself as this great writer working on the next big novel. Humorous thought, considering a novel is the furthest thing from my mind.
These were the small comforts that kept my sanity in perspective after dealing with people all week long. That was my former work life.
Today, as a retired person, I have a lot of free time, probably too much.
What I see as needed for comfort is vastly different than 5 years ago.
The comfort I seek is from ensuring that I am financially sound, the bills are paid every month, there is food in the pantry, and gas in my vehicle. Those are the biggest priorities.
I still ensure that I have those quiet moments. I still call it my “Muted Mondays” with a focus on contemplation through meditation, journaling, drawing, or listening to music, no social media and no television or movies.
Now, I sometimes seek out just a few moments of being around other people, mainly in the stores, sometimes a park, but very rarely the movies now. If I feel up to it, I will go to a museum or take a drive around the city.
I do not set any alarms unless there is an appointment to attend. I go to sleep when my mind and body are tired. Then I wake up whenever my body is tired of laying down and becomes achy. I am still dealing with physical limitations so getting up and moving around is paramount to my day.
Now finding more comfort in being creative is becoming my norm. I probably spend too much time on my phone perusing social media and on my computer watching YouTube videos but these are the places I find inspiration and knowledge.
I will wander the aisles of the craft stores and small markets looking for what inspires me. Colorful items, patterns, fabrics, beads, paints, glassware, and other people’s crafts.
I watch more sunrises, sunsets, and take pictures of the clouds floating by. I stop to listen to the birds chirping their songs, watch my cats lounge on the sunny windowsills, and hear the sounds of the traffic going by outside my window.
No matter what is going on in the world that day, I still find comfort in the small things. It helps me stay grounded and positive.
My strategy now is to focus on personal development. Being in a creative mindset has helped. Learning new things and garnering new skills maintains the focus. Having gratitude for my family and my life keeps me positive.
As I continue moving forward into the rest of the year, I am working on a sort of schedule to stay on track and maybe find new goals to work towards. A somewhat plan of action is the next strategy.
It is the familiar and sometimes the little things that bring comfort to daily life.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Have a fabulous week!
Peace, love, happiness, and good vibes, always!
Suzanne
love to bake 