The Art of Nothing
All weather and seasons have a lesson to teach us.
For me, winter and specifically snowstorms, provide a forced time of slowing down that I rarely allow myself. 14 inches of snow may seem insignificant to northern areas of the country, but central Kentucky quickly came to a standstill this weekend. We were warned to prepare for as much as 20 inches and most everyone did. State government closed offices, grocery stores were depleted and most everyone developed a plan.
I”ve spent two glorious days inside my house (minus the shoveling of the driveway) doing nothing specific. I was able to watch the snow, cozy in yoga and fleece, watch a few marathon viewings of House Hunters, and watch a nightly movie in front of a warm fire with my husband. In the past, I would use my forced time inside to clean and organize a closet, read a book I haven’t had a chance to read and prepare for the week ahead.
Instead, I choose to do only the minimal with my days inside. Regular laundry was washed and dishes were cleaned. Just as life outside my window had stopped, I tried to do the same.
Our society rushes so often that many people complain about being forced to slow down. I welcomed a weekend of slowing down. A weekend of having nowhere to rush. In many ways, winter weather encourages us to slow down in ways that Fall can not.
I know that all of those times I should could have done will continue to waiting for me as the week ahead approaches.I’m grateful for a weekend of doing very little and I hope you were able to have one of your own.
Honestly – my fave weekends are those when we have ZERO plans. Just relaxing and staying in… those are my most looked forward to times! 🙂 Have a great week lady!
Karen | GlamKaren.com
Thanks Karen! I forget how wonderful those weekends are until I actually get one. I was so excited to have an adult snow day! Have a wonderful week!
We are in Va and were hit with close to 24″. I absolutely loved it, and much like you, took refuge in the quietness, the solitude of mornings. Slowed down, still woke up super early but with no rush like I usually have.
It was perfect. I’m still here at home, stranded because of the snow. But it was delicious and so needed for my soul. I’m trying to get a few things done today, because I need to be somewhat productive too, but the whole weekend was nice and quiet.
Stopping by from the Grateful heart linkup!
I was like you and woke up early each day but loved that there was nowhere I HAD to be. I think our souls do need a day to simply be. I ventured back out today and the snow is melting. I hope things begin to clear for you soon there in VA.
This is nice. Being forced to slow down is something I wish for. Unfortunately, we’re sunny here in Singapore all year around. Hope you had a great rest, Sheryl. 🙂
Thanks Melai! As a summer loving girl, I would much prefer sunny weather all of the time but I’m trying to appreciate what I’ve been given. Hope you are doing well.
I am! Thanks again Sher! 🙂
That “mindless” work is such a great break for our brains! 🙂 So glad you got some downtime. Great giveaway!! Wishing you a great week!
Hope you have a great week too Emily!
I’m enjoying the permission to just be 🙂 Thank you, mother nature, for giving me a reason to catch up on DVR, read and eat to my heart’s content. I’ve gone a bit overboard, but it’s nothing the motivation of the upcoming Spring can’t fix!
Glad you had an enjoyable, relaxing weekend!
Spring will be here before you know it and then we will have to plan our plantings. I tried to eat halfway decently but there was chocolate involved. I’m so glad you got to spend time with your beautiful family.
I love love love weekends like the one you described above. I hope you enjoyed every minute of your quiet time and that you were able to indulge in some R&R. I took a bath this weekend. A BATH! With a bath bomb from Lush! It felt so wonderfully indulgent and I realized that I need to stop feeling guilty about doing things that make me feel good.
What a wonderful giveaway–just entered and am keeping fingers crossed!
Charlotte, you so deserved that bath. If we don’t take care of ourselves – no one else will. Good luck with the giveaway!
I ditto all your words here. Snow days, held hostage inside and enjoying down time is my favorite time. Some days I long for them. Until, here in NC the snow days turn into a week long boredom fest, because by then, I’m ready for a routine.
Oh Michelle, I so agree that you can only be stuck inside for so long before you go crazy. I’m always on the go and often have a hard time truly relaxing at home so this was significant for me. It was back to the daily routine today!
100% agree. That was our weekend, too! I had so much to do but we just relaxed. watched tv. Enjoyed one another. Such a perfect reminder!
It was so nice to have no where to go (because everything was cancelled). Hope this weekend has been good to you.
That’s what I love about a good storm when everyone is safe inside….it forces you to relax and unwind and brings the hectic schedule to a halt!
Yes, mother nature knows how to get our attention and sometimes exactly what we need!