Finding Joy in the Mundane

Is it just me or does anyone else feel this inner contentment being at home, sitting in silence, not having to be anywhere and just being? What is it they call it, the art of doing nothing? Don’t get me wrong, today was super productive. I made it to the gym for strength training, squeezed in a 5 mile walk on my favorite trail, did a little grocery shopping and was home before 5pm. I couldn’t wait to shower, throw on my loungewear and just relax. There’s so many things I could be doing right now, but the mundane is where it’s at for the rest of the day.

Between Telegram and WhatsApp, both group chats have been buzzing all day since this early morning. Everyone is looking for stuff to get into. It’s Halloween weekend, so there’s lots of bar crawls, adult trick or treating and parties galore happening. Philly is definitely a Halloween city, with lots to do and lots of activities to entice and freak you out, if that’s your thing. It definitely does creepy really well. One thing that the chatter in the group chats indicates is that folks are vocal about not wanting to stay in and be bored. Most want to be where the action is popping off at. I like me a little shindig, kickback and activity every now and then.

Where I flourish though, is in the mundane. I may do some chores here and there, but I enjoy laying and lazing around. I enjoy any chance I get to really rest and do much of nothing. You ever have a friend hit you up last minute to go out on the town and your response be “wish I could but I already have plans” when in actuality, you have none? It’s not a total lie. Your plans are to nourish you, whatever that looks like. You haven’t worn a bra in over 16 hours, have your favorite satin bonnet on with fuzzy slippers and a matching pajama set. What you’ve been looking forward to is binge-watching a new series on Netflix, over a big bowl of buttery popcorn with your favorite glass(es) of wine. You have become one with your couch, almost melted into it. You’ve been waiting all week for this moment and the thought of having to leave your abode to be “on” just isn’t appealing enough to make you leave your home. I encourage everyone and anyone out there to do this as much as possible. Your mind, body and soul will thank you.

Some days, I dream about having a partner that can relish in the mundane stuff with me. Someone I can literally let my hair down with, who offers a safe space for me to be me and I them. We can geek out over corny stuff like which new series to watch together, which Marvel movie we want to re-watch for the umpteenth time, play card games or go back and forth about what to make for dinner. Having ridiculous arguments that usually end in both of us locking eyes and busting out laughing because we realize how stupid we either look or sound arguing about foolishness.

Getting dolled up, going out and attending events can be fun too, but the moments I’ve enjoyed and remember the most from relationships past are those that consisted of endless fits of laughter about absolutely nothing (probably why I enjoy shows about nothing like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” or “Seinfeld”). The constant giggling and snickering, almost always happening in the comforts of home. Nights filled with story telling or reliving some gnarly moments that make you laugh so hard, you cry. The roasting sessions where neither of us is taking ourselves too seriously (reminiscent of my own upbringing, where everyone under my family’s roof got roasted and toasted, usually during a 5 hour monopoly game). Not dealing with the stresses of life, or work business to handle. Even when life is life’ing, finding those isolated moments to experience joy and play, just two adults reveling in silliness like kids. I think back to a time when an ex told me sometimes when I laughed so hard, he could tell it came from the depths of my soul. He felt like he had a front row seat to this private part of me that I accidentally let slip out. I’m trying to make more of those moments and memories.

Anyway, as the evening comes to a close, I’ll get back to doing some homework, while I distract myself with YouTube and Max. Also been jotting down more ideas for Episode 2 of the podcast, which I’ll release in another week, so stay tuned for that. Please, let’s all revel in the mundane to balance out the stresses in our lives. Keep laughing, smiling and resting :-)