The very point of small pleasures is that they are not supposed to be expensive or extravagant, but merely small indulgences that bring us joy in our everyday lives. One of my favourite pleasures requires absolutely no expenditure, other than the luxury of time. For me, when I’m feeling exhausted, run-down, or just in need of some precious quiet time, there is no greater luxury than to have a block of several hours in which I can ignore everything and just linger in complete peacefulness.
It be an evening after work where I abandon all my plans, an entire rainy Saturday, or, in the case of today, a sick day at home (i.e. where my body tells me it’s had enough and forces me to take some downtime). I’ll throw open the windows, light some gorgeous candles, put on some silk pyjamas and spend hours stretched out in bed or on the sofa with a mountain of fluffy pillows, a stack of magazines, a pot of tea, an old movie or a delicious book I can spend hours happily escaping into. It needn’t be particularly sophisticated, but all the ingredients must be of exceptional quality so that combined, they recharge our proverbial batteries and bring a smile to our face.
Because sometimes, there is nothing better for the soul than blissful repose.
So tell me, what is your idea of blissful repose / peaceful downtime?
Love, Miss B xx
Well, I took a 90 minute nap this afternoon after a super-intense (and interesting) meeting with two agents and two people I’m hoping to turn into reality TV stars. That’ll take it out of you!
I also love a big pot of tea, curling up on our huge velvet sofa, stacks of mags and catalogs and a blanket over me. Or reading my design magazines and books for inspiration.
We’ll be back up in rural Ontario soon and one of the most blissful, classic things to do there is to sit in the sun on the dock in an Adirondack chair and listen to the wind in the pine trees.
Since I work in PR my job can sometimes never end. My ideal downtime is laying in bed, reading and watching a good movie (or a marathon of Lifetime movies).
So true! Reminds me of author Tom Hodgkinson and his “Idler” books and magazine…
When I take some time of, I like to be at home reading books, drinking tea and watching old movies (so pretty much what you do!) I also like to go out for a stroll with my camera and take photos of whatever catches my eye… You see so much more when you’re nut in a hurry 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your day off! xx
That sounds wonderful 🙂 My idea of blissful downtime involves an afternoon spent with friends wandering in my favourite Delhi neighbourhood, Hauz Khas Village – filled with artsy studios, medieval monuments, and the promise of a Nutella crepe at my favourite cafe. The wandering and window shopping is free 🙂
Otherwise, I love to curl up in bed with my laptop and either watch episodes of Mad Men or an old Hollywood flick featuring one of the Hepburn women.
Sweet! Yes, i very much need that down time alone too, at times. I simply enjoying staying home in my PJs and watching telly. Lately I’ve been into Keeping up with the Kardashians (lol), and i have to say it’s not as bad as i thought it would be,hehe.
I’ve also ben indulging in macarons with a cuppca tea at home these days and made some blueberry pancakes. Yes, desserts make me relaxed and happy=D I just love those moments where i shut down my brain for a few hours and ignore the outside world (which can be a byatch at times, pardon my French,lol)….but i do feel like sleeping is the best thing on earth and of course, it’s totally for free!
Anyhow, your escapism sounds blissful and peaceful, and you’re right about it being inexpensive. Those are the best i reckon. I can so imagine you lying on the sofa with your fluffy pillows and pot of tea. It sounds super chillaxing!!!
Have a great weekend Miss. B 😀
Cinz
Escaping into an art gallery to look at beautiful paintings …
Going to a park on a sunny day, laying on my back in the grass and staring at the sky through the branches of a tree …
Catching a ferry to nowhere in particular on Sydney Harbour.
Those are my favourites.
Miss B, that sounds heavenly. I don’t often get to spend time alone at home (with having a ferocious teenage daughter) so there are two things I really like to do, when I need that ducking-out-of-reality moment. One is to go to a cafe about seven miles from my house. It’s a huge red-brick Victorian building that has been refurbished in a very matter-of-fact style and serves mediocre quality food & drink. I love it – it hasn’t been over-restored or made chi-chi (which it emphatically is not), it’s not sensorily delightful. But it has the advantage of being right next to the most heavenly stretch of white, blustery beach. I stomp along the beach for a while to blow the cobwebs away, then I retreat to the cafe for a hot chocolate. At the end of that, my head-fog is usually gone, I feel rested from consumer delights (which I like as much as the next person) and ready to face the world again.
The other thing I like to do is to sneak off for a swim. I prefer this to be outdoors, with company (it makes me feel safer), but it’s often an early Friday afternoon in the gym pool. I have a fancy to swim the Hellespont one day, so I pretend I’m training for that, and abandon myself to dreams of Byron, poetry and crossing continents.
The resting described in the original post and all of the ideas from the comments sound absolutely heavenly. I work from home as an auditor and am finding it hard right now to actually switch work off. So I am snatching moments here and there, quickly escaping to a beautiful blog or a coffee on the front porch or a run to the store. I think perhaps this weekend I should devote a little more time to clearing out the head-fog as Minx Marple put it in her comment. And now I have several ideas to choose from! Thanks! And Miss B, I hope you are feeling better after your day of rest.
jealous. that is all. enjoy 😉 x
You know exactly when your body is not having it anymore and thats when I need to put my comfy clothes on, grab a pillow and curl up on the couch with a chick flick. Chocolate in had with a cool drink and the latest magazines to flick through is heaven! Dozing off on the couch is the loveliest nap ever when you need to recharge!
Hope you’re felling better!
xx
Beautiful photography, and I love the nail polish. For me it is rather similar, I just lounge in bed reading – sometimes there is no greater pleasure. I love it when a book makes me cry, very rarely admitted – but I love the power of words, how they effect us. I also put on some comfy clothes; it’s all about Ralph Lauren lounge wear, and if I’m feeling particularly low I make myself a delicious creamy hot chocolate in a fine bone china mug! x
What’s my blissful repose? Spending all day within dreamy Sundays.
Lying on my bed with the window open so the sun pours down on me. It makes me feel so relaxed and cat like.