When is lounging around self-care and when is it sloth?

24 August 2009

Last Monday I blogged about my glorious Sunday (the day before) during which I did nothing but watch movies, do crafts, read and nap. I was enraptured at the rejuvenation I felt after taking a day to myself. I stand behind that post.

Today, I had a similar weekend, only Saturday was the day I took off. That day, I finished reading a book I couldn’t seem to put down. I spent some time figuring out my next knitting project. I took a nap.

But there was a big difference between this Saturday and the prior Sunday. On the Sunday, I had planned the day off. I got my Saturday chores done and I treated myself to a fabulous day.

This Saturday, I had a to-do list full of things I need to get done before leaving for Australia on Thursday. I highlighted the things I should do on Saturday, telling myself that if I got them done, I’d take time off on Sunday.

But instead, sloth set in. I was sleepy and uninterested in work, and I lazed about instead. And I felt pretty horrible about myself as a result. The good news is that I got all the highlighted things done on Sunday. But I didn’t get a day off this weekend that I enjoyed. Instead, I had one that I felt kinda guilty about.

So what have I learned? I’ve learned that it’s better to reward myself with a day off than take one almost by accident and feel guilty about it. Do some work, then take some time off. That’s the way (for me, anyway) to enjoy time to myself without feeling slothful.

Tagged with: relaxation, rewards, self-care