Daily Cascade

The Quiet Magic of Resting

Prompt: Rest
“It is December, and nobody asked if I was ready.”
Sarah Kay
What are your favorite ways to recharge and rest during the winter or this holiday season?

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I think, here in Florida, winter or the holidays are much different than in most other parts of the country. Still, I can recall what it was like in the Northeast, from way back when.

It used to be a whirlwind of sorts with parties, gatherings, gift shopping, despite the cold weather and sometimes, snow and ice. At the same time, this had made trying to live my regular everyday life almost impossible, even though I enjoyed the season very much.

On the other hand, as far as the frayed nerves go, it isn't much different, here, in the south. The only addition is that we have the lovely half-year residents and visitors escaping from the cold and the ice. This is wonderful in most senses, except the roads become so crowded and the driving so difficult, but it also makes us, the driving elderly group, very careful.

On the plus side, since the scorching hot summer sun has mellowed, we have regained our outdoor fun. For example, I can go and relax outside the house, mostly on a comfy outdoor armchair inside the porch, and read, write, tend my plants, or do whatever I wish to do. Since I've grown old, I've set boundaries to my most "should"s, which helps me greatly. No more attending anything if I'm not in the mood or trying to overachieve anything, including housekeeping. Well, maybe just a tad, but that's it.

I guess most of what is winter or the holiday season has become not a hustle but an easy time of slowing down for me. After all, there is joy in resting, too, no matter how many bells are jingling.