{Day 25}
This series has focused on cooking for a crowd, but today’s entry is different—it’s not about the kitchen at all. I recently arranged to take regular time off each week, and although I enjoy many aspects of this cooking role, I’ve been craving a little bit of “normal.” Even when I had days off before, they were often spent planning, prepping, or thinking about kitchen tasks. Today was different: I truly took a day for myself.
I began the morning slowly, brewing a pot of French vanilla coffee and settling by the cozy fire with my feet up. If you have a chair, imagine sitting right beside me; I’ll tell you how I spent this much-needed day off.
I deliberately kept the day unplanned. The one promise I gave myself was the freedom to sleep in, which felt blissful even though I woke up reasonably early. I took my time with coffee and enjoyed catching up with friends online. With no schedule to follow, I let the question “What shall I do today?” hang in the air and waited for a gentle nudge.
It didn’t take long to decide: the house could use a bit of attention. The bedroom where I rest had become cluttered, and my relaxation room didn’t feel so relaxing anymore.
(Yes, there was even a Tim Horton’s bag on the floor—evidence of busy days.) Once I started cleaning, one tidy spot led to another. I can’t claim the whole house is immaculate, but I opened up enough space to breathe and to move freely without tripping over piles of clothes.
All the Tim Horton’s bags disappeared from the living room, too, and a light dusting and vacuum gave the space new life. Tidying sparked my creativity, so I did a little redecorating—bringing in fresh colors that feel right for the season.
A friend gave me cheerful orange cushions that brighten the room, and I gathered a few apples from our tree to place in a bowl. Little, simple touches like that can make a space feel renewed and cozy.
I finally cleared the dining room table and added a few accents of red for warmth and seasonal appeal. It’s amazing how much lighter a room feels when surfaces are cleared and thoughtfully arranged.
Cleaning and rearranging reminded me of the days I used to play house as a girl. I spent hours in the little sloped-ceiling closet in my bedroom, arranging doll clothes, trying on my mom’s high heels, and pretending to cook with flour-and-water dough in a cardboard sink. Today felt like that childhood play, but better—because I’m creating a real, comfortable home for myself.
I didn’t stomp around in high heels; instead, I enjoyed being barefoot and relaxed for the first time in a long while. I didn’t have to tie my hair up in a bun, either—I let it down and savored the small freedom of an unrushed day.
By the end of the day, the house looked and felt refreshed, and so did I. Taking time to care for my personal space wasn’t just about cleaning; it was a form of self-care that let me recharge. I returned to work the next day feeling steadier and more inspired—reminded that small, quiet days can be as nourishing as the busiest ones.
