#reverb15 // Day 17 // Free time

I'm joining pals Sarah and Elizabeth to write every day in the month of December, feel free to join in any time! Today's prompt: Free time. How did you spend your free time in 2015? Did you have any free time?

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. A lucky gal who doesn't suffer from I'm so busy syndrome. I know how to say no. I don't overcommit. I prioritize self-care.

I have the luxury of this because of a series of choices I made. I said no to kids. I think forever, but no one can ever say never. I definitely don't have them now so my time is my own and I cherish it so much. I worked hard in my twenties to become a director in my thirties, and while it can be stressful, I have assembled a richly diverse team to ensure our work life is very enjoyable, and we operate at high efficiency allowing for 40 hour workweeks, for the most part. I helped instill a feeling of confidence where I work that the job can get done from anywhere- so my staff and I enjoy 2-3 days of the week from home. And that is part of why we are so efficient and productive.

But, work or gym or play, I honestly consider all of my time free time. The true Sagittarius that I am thrives on the freedom of choice, any second of any day. The choice to stay the routine or the choice to try anew. The choice to do something mindful with downtime or mindless. I try to divide my time equally between the two.

Mindful free time is what I crave, because I can get all of my thinking done. I've taken up coloring this past year, an amazing pastime for me considering the draw to be creative, but in an undemanding way that requires such minimal brain power that I can drift off into introspection and come out with not only a new outlook, but also a new piece of artwork. Two birds.

Levi bridges the gap between mindful and mindless free time, as he is my partner in both. He will happily walk miles and miles with me while I mindfully think, mindfully listen - to music or podcasts, or mindlessly somehow end up back at the front door without really knowing how we got there. He will happily keep me warm while I mindlessly watch TV or take a nap. He's just the best.

Every moment that I preserve as my own restores my spirit and makes me feel centered and ready for any challenge. I never feel guilty about being selfish for these moments because in taking them, I know I can be a better wife, sister, friend, boss, coach... I can't think of a single more valuable thing than time. Especially when it's free.

#reverb15 #Reflect