The day I gave up on perfect days

As I was sitting in my lawn chair this past weekend, sunning + sipping on some wine. (That’s right. You read that correctly. Sunshine + sitting outside in Sweden!! Spring may have actually finally arrived!). Anyway, as I was sitting there, I started thinking about my favorite kinds of days. And what my perfect day would look like.

 

I soon realized that I cannot choose exactly what my perfect day would look like because I have so many different kinds of days that I love…

 

There’s nothing like spending a day in New York City. Starting early. Grabbing coffee + breakfast at a little cafe. Wandering the streets. Taking photos. Talking with locals. Visiting parks. Seeing art in every single thing. Eating again at some little ethnic hole-in-the-wall. Riding the subway. Finding some music. Perusing bookstores and independent boutiques. Walking a bridge. Eating more food. Finding a concert or bar. Staying out way later than usual.

 

There’s nothing like a long day at home. With coffee. Writing. Reading. More coffee. A documentary. An inspirational day for my soul. Finding meaning in words + images. Creating my own art with words + images.

 

There’s nothing like a day at the beach with my family. Up early. Coffee on the porch overlooking the ocean. Discussions. Laughter, tons of laughter. Playing in the ocean. A cold beer on the beach. Being absorbed in a book. BLT sandwiches for lunch. Back out on the beach. More beer. More sun. More surf. More reading. Cocktail hour after showers. Grilling out. Fireworks at night. Going to bed, a wee bit sunburned, ready to do it all again the next day.

 

There’s nothing like a road trip. Music. Windows down. Getting lost. Back roads. Diners. Touristy shit. Gas stations. More driving. Singing. Photo stops all the time. Freedom.

 

There’s nothing like exploring a new city. Endless walking. Coffee in a little cafe. Stumbling upon skid row (the ghetto). Sitting in a park. Hunting the funky places. Eating local food. More photography. No plans at all. Being spontaneous. Seeing the sights. Finding a dive bar. Landscapes.

 

There’s nothing like a day on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Curvy roads. Views for miles. Mountains. Nature. History. Magic. Wandering trails. A pull over picnic. A bear sighting. Photos + more photos. Camping. Finding an unused path. Making s’mores.

 

And, then, there’s nothing like… this past weekend.

Relax. Blog. Write. Rearrange furniture. Cook halloumi burgers. Redecorate the bedroom. Wide open windows. Wine in the afternoon. Lawn chairs + bare feet for the first time this season. Netflix at dark. Blue skies until 9 pm. Invitations to dinner at a friend’s home and long, late night talks with wine. Walk everywhere. Plant shopping. Take a cab. Celebrating pagan spring traditions. Magic. Lazy mornings. Sunshine!!!!!

 

Perhaps I cannot decide on my favorite kind of day because I don’t have one. Perhaps, this is what it feels like to live in the present moment. To find beauty everywhere. In everything. To live slowly + mindfully. And, then, perhaps, without even knowing it, every single day becomes your favorite day. I’m thinking that is what creating a life looks like. And this is what I now claim as my purpose, my goal. To. Simply. Be. Present.

 

Happy Hump Day, lovelies. Hope you’re experiencing a favorite day, even in the middle of the week.

xoxo. liz.