Ever have moments where you wish you were young again? Not because Monster High kicks ass, responsibility blows, and as an adult you are all too aware of all the shitty things happening in the news. You just need a day to get away. A day of silence. Just one day to do nothing that actually matters, only mind-numbing tasks that make life a little happier and easier to get through. (Is that too much to ask?)
I mean, let’s face it… life is consuming. Work, bills, your spouse, kids – they are all bricks getting stacked on top of you and you’re starting to get crushed. The stress makes it hard to breathe. You’ve lost yourself to responsibility. Seriously, when was the last day you spent treating and taking care of yourself?
So… I decided I’m setting aside a day this week to spend by myself. A solo trip to the movies. Wandering around the mall aimlessly and buying something I want and don’t need. I’m going to order way too much Chinese food, then bring it home and eat it on the couch while I watch five hours of Downton Abbey in one night. I’m going to go to bed whenever the hell I want, and wake up whenever the hell I want.
There’s so much emphasis on physical health with these New Year’s resolutions. What about taking care of your mental state? Time to reboot and recharge, guys. Y’all should do it, too.
(I think this is my first non-humor post. I debated not posting it. But, let’s be real — I’m not always a clown. I have my serious moments and struggles, too)
The Shameful Sheep 
Mental health is so important! How can you possibly maintain the Funny if you’re too stressed to function? Here’s hoping you have a fabulous mental health day.
Also, with regard to the picture? Eating cookies always happens in the moment, so it all works!
Thank you 🙂 Mmm cookies
I can relate! Go girl!!
Woo 🙂
I just had five such days in a row and wrote about it (“A Ridiculous Mind”). All I can say is “Do it! Do it! Do it!” My time-out made me feel like it is a whole new world out there. Gave me my energy back.
And it is kind of nice to hear your more serious side.
Thank you 🙂 5 days! That’s awesome. I’m glad you are feeling renewed. I think everyone should take a timeout
Love it! It’s so true. You have to take time for yourself, especially for mental health!
Totally agree 🙂
Have some chinee fooms for me too!! Yum!!
Done. I’ll be eating enough for two people anyway lol
OMG we are ordering chinee fooms tonight too!! Let the gorging begin! OINK!
Mmm chinee fooms. I’m stuck with pizza tonight. Psht
I will eat some for you. And me. And everyone else reading this blog. ‘Cause that’s the kind of person I am. (A pig?)
Great post! I am getting tired of hearing all the detox/ resolutions etc as it makes me feel bad as I munch on my Christmas cake – but overdoing the exercise and depriving myself of little treats in life (such as chocolate!) makes me feel worse. Looking after your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health in my eyes. Hope you enjoyed your day to treat yourself 🙂
Thank you 🙂 You are 100% right. I haven’t had my day yet – I’m going to do it in the middle of next week. I’m no gonna lie…. I’m pretty excited about it lol
Also…. Never give up chocolate. Life is too short to do something so drastic!
Don’t worry – that will never happen!!
Loved this! I try to take a day off work every couple months or so to do whatever feels “needed” that day. Sometimes I want to do something more fun and active, and other times I just want to sleep late and watch movies all day. Those days definitely help me return to work with a better attitude and mind frame.
Awesome 🙂 I need to make this a regular thing like you do. I think it would help tons.
We are doing something similar tonight–pizza, movie after movie, stay up late, whatever we want!!! I totally agree about mental health and am SO glad you didn’t hold back on this!!
Thank you! Hey… I just ate pizza, too. I might steal your plans and watch movies all night lol. Sounds fun
Excellent idea! You are very right. It’s been a long time since I’ve spent a day not feeling like I have to be productive!! That’s the best part of being a kid.😊
It is! You need a non-productive day too it seems 🙂
Yes, but not today! These Christmas decoration really need to come down. Maybe tomorrow! 😉
I think if you want real freedom, take th day for yourself and leave the phone at home so no I e can contact you or k ow where you are. It’s a great feeling..:)
That would be awesome. That would be a real ‘disappear’ for the day. I need to do it.
I treat myself to a day like this at least once a month! Enjoy yours!! 🙂
Thanks 🙂 I think I’m going to make it regular, too. Seems like a good idea lol
This gets better in a decade actually. Just hang in there, you’ll realize those aren’t bricks at all, they all weave together and make a pair of duck downed pj’s… and they are WONDERFUL. Trust me on this, it’s just life sugar.
I have a feeling you are right. Even if I think to a decade ago from now, it was way shittier. Life in general has gotten so much better as I near 30. Hopefully the improvements will continue!
They do. I love life way more today that 30.
That’s good news. Phew
For a serious piece, I’d say your post has lots of nice humor in it. Enjoyed!
Thank you 🙂
Good for you! Great post!
Thanks 🙂
Needs to happen…for the good of mankind and your circle of fellow humans. Recharging=less yelling in my world.
Haha that’s true. I’m not much of a yeller. Unless I’m driving… then everyone gets yelled at. Ha 🙂
Just had one of them off days and it felt so good that I want another one and another and another. 🙂 kidding. But yes, need more of those to feel Fresh again. Enjoy your day when it comes.
Thank you 🙂 I imagine those days are addicting lol.
“Ever have moments where you wish were young again?”
Ya, in fact, 3 minutes before I stumbled across this post. Slapped home movies in: watchin footage of the local band I was supposed to front taken 20 years ago, crackin a beer, watchin film of all my friends being interviewed while on shrooms…. albeit I remember the teenage angst and drama and misapplied rage as being a heavy load too.
Youth: it’s wasted on the young.
Awesome, that’s a good night. Youth really is wasted on the young. Sucks, doesn’t it?
It’s always good to take some alone time!
Agreed! Much needed for everyone
This sounds so right but feels wrong. Help! How to fight the guilt off?
It’s hard to do without feeling guilty for sure. Just gotta do it 🙂 lol
Can’t hide the giddy look in my eyes afterwards. Must wear shades.
mmmmmm…..alone time….mmmmm….chinese food…….mmmmmm….mall. I like your brand of therapy!
It all sounds so perfect, right? It’s a must do lol
Self care is important. Buy the cookie. Eat the ice cream. Get that silly hat. Spend time alone. It’s essential.
100% agree. Life is too short to turn down the good stuff 🙂
Alone time is important. I find working the time in around family can be done, an hour here or there, easier than a full day. It’s like what I hear about exercise 🙂 , it becomes part of your routine!
Since a full day is hard to plan, an hour here or there is smart. I’ll probably do that, too. You’re right,.. I find time to run. So why not find time for other things? Lol
One? Take three.
Good idea lol
I long for such days pretty well daily. Rarely accord myself a whole one but you have inspired me. Merci! 🙂
Yay haha. I’m glad. I hope you get to do it 🙂
Good luck. Have fun with it.
Thanks 🙂
I’m glad you did decide to post it. It’s a good reminder about mental sanity and health, and the steps we can take (most of the time) to preserve it.
Though, I would argue that being offline and removed from the responsibilities of social media is a stress-relief as well! I hope when you do take your day off, it’s also from the phone!
I think I’m going to have to. I obsessively look at my phone without even realizing it lol. I’ll probably have ro leave it home just to force myself into a break
Everyone needs a break so why cant you?
Go wherever you want and do whatever you want…Its your day. Have fun.
You’re 100% right 🙂 And, thanks!
Meh, as long as no one will die, you can be responsible tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed your day!
Thank you 🙂 I haven’t done it yet. It’s planned for midweek next week. Yay
After 8 solid days of leaky eyes, rattling phlegm, and coughing til I pee, I decided to embark on a day of fun–and finally escape inhaling my own diseased air–but it is freezing rain on my parade. =(
You hit it girl. At almost 60 I feel this…well, almost constantly I fear. In fact you may have noticed in my last blog post that I am nervous I picked the wrong job postion because I’m going to be too stressed and not able to be in the moment more. Some minor stress is also good for the body, but not constant. Your idea of building in down time is good. For me actually, though, healthy stuff IS my de-stress stuff: my walks, yoga, meditation, good food and weights. But it’s all stuff I’ve done for many, many years so it’s all about routine which keeps be from stressing too! 🙂
I need to come up with a better routine like that! I hope your new position works out and you aren’t too stressed 🙂
😄
Do it – just do it. I do it all the time. I call it my lazy day.
Sounds awesome. I’m ready to be lazy
Well said!! Excellent plan.
Thank you 🙂
You are such a good writer! I’m glad you’re taking some time for you. You deserve it! Such a good reminder to give a little TLC to mental health. Enjoy! Xoxoxo.
Thank you! That was so nice to say 🙂
Hi! I just nominate you/your Blog for a One Lovely Blog Award–well earned and deserved if you ask me! Congrats!
Thank you 🙂
Oh I still pissed myself over your cartoon! What I like, is soaking in a hot tub so long, you come out disguised as a mass of wrinkles! I add epsom salts, a little oil, and candles, and close my eyes… Then I wake up fighting a burning oil slick! LOL! No really! Great stress reliever 🙂
That seems awesome. I need to invest in that lol. Not the burning, though.
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
I wanted today to be that day! I was partially successful (the day is not over yet) and I did eat a lot of brownies!
Hey… Brownies definitely count! I can’t make brownies without eating the majority of them lol
Me neither! I made some of Lynn’s (Lynz) cream cheese brownies at Christmas and stored the extra in the freezer…easy, accessible and super tasty!
I try to do this once a week but it doesn’t always happen. Enjoy that chinese food and your marathon!
Thank you 🙂 I need to do it once a week. That would be awesome lol
I think a lot of people would be happier if they considered their mental health before their physical appearance. I know all those resolutions SAY they’re about health, but we all know better. We don’t care about being healthier, we want to be thinner, we want to be that unattainable ideal we see everywhere, everyday. And if maybe we all started to worry a little less about that and take care of our minds, we could actually start taking care of our bodies and mean it when we say we want to be healthier.
I couldn’t have said it better. You’re totally right. Mental health needs a bigger spotlight.
Get some chocolate in there somewhere.
There will definitely be some chocolate casualties. 🙂
I’m so glad you posted this!
Mental health is extremely important – and it’s nice to see someone other than me thinks it matters (I am not ashamed to admit that I am a firm believer in mental health days at work… not every day… but sometimes it’s just necessary for your sanity).
Love your posts – serious and you scored big on your “non-serious” one too!
Thank you! I think mental health days are a must, too. The amount of stress people deal with is insane. Everybody deserves a break here and there
Dude I could totally use some retail therapy! Sigh, it can really start to suffocate you if you’re not careful.
The mall seems like a great place to be, right? lol
I hope you managed to do it 🙂
I am today! Woo.
ooohhh I look forward to hearing all about it. 🙂
Cookies!!! (Don’t worry, that wasn’t all I garnered from that post)
Days away should be scheduled into things! Also, days of “go away” or “leave me alone”, when you get to act like a teenager and sulk just because. Sure, that’s not exactly productive, but when you reach breaking point because of work or being with people nearly all the time, they are incredibly refreshing.
Agreed. I’m definitely scheduling them in from now on. And eating more cookies.
And again – non-adulting is so much fun! I love giving myself days (well, okay, hours) like this. Hope you manage more of them 😉