Good morning—happy Monday! How was your weekend? I enjoyed a little stay-cation. It was so nice to unplug and unwind. I’m really bad at relaxing, but after almost 4 years of grad school with a dietetic internship and some crazy studying thrown in there, logic told me that one should totally take a few days off after passing the RD exam.

So I made a deal with myself: every time I felt that I “should” be doing something productive (on a weekend, I know), I would write it down so I could get to it come Monday. I was mostly successful, save for a few work emails and stats homework. Other than that, I did only fun things.

Friday I got a reflexology massage and went to a really fun Zumba class—endorphin overload in the best way possible. My muscles were so sore by the time I went to bed.

Saturday I cleaned, took a few walks, and made use of some giftcards I’d gotten for my birthday. Then I organized my closet. I’m embarrassed to admit I had more than a few items that had been lurking in the mix since 2003. Somehow, “maybe I’ll wear it this summer” turned into ten years. Whoops.

I love that Ann Taylor LOFT actually has a decent petites selection. Tiny ladies are people too!

I also went to a favorite cafe and sat with a glass of wine (first white of the year!) writing in my notebook. I don’t really care if the couple next to me knew that I was taking in every little word and analyzing their conversation. Um, people in their late twenties and early thirties: why do we pretend to own less Ikea furniture than we do? Whomever you’re trying to impress will find out eventually! Case in point: someone who came to my apartment for the first time once said, “Hey, I know this table!” It was actually a good ice-breaker.

No matter your profession, I think it’s really important to just free-write sometimes, whatever the hell pops into your head. It’s a form of meditation for me, but a meditation that is especially enjoyable with a cup of coffee or wine. I used to be afraid to go and have a drink by myself, but it’s really nice once in a while.

Sunday I did yoga and spent more time outside. I also managed to read a whole book. A friend had recently recommended a popular author whose work, for better or worse, bears that “airport best-seller” label, but I was glad I gave it a chance—there’s a reason some writers’ books can get you through a transatlantic flight, no problem. Good, engaging writing that lots of people like is not a crime! I need to remind myself of that every once in a while, lest I wander into lit-snob territory.

I didn’t take a whole lot of food pictures, but I do have to admit, it was so nice to enjoy a simple salad between excursions outside. 

Are you good at relaxing? How do you like to unwind? Thoughts on Ikea?