A Day In The Life

Day 7 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge is here, and today’s task is to write about a day in my life…

I wasn’t feeling too well yesterday so went to bed at 10pm and woke up unusually late at 9am this morning. I was meeting up with my family and in-laws for a Mother’s Day meal at 12pm so it didn’t leave much time to get the normal Sunday chores done. The wife more or less bullied me into taking the car to the car-wash as it hasn’t been done for at least 6 months. My argument that it will get filthy again on Monday because the car park at work is a dust-bowl didn’t hold any weight! It seemed like a lot of other people had the same idea to get down to the hand car wash as soon as it opened too – Ace Professional Valeting Services if anyone is interested.

I got back about 45 minutes later which gave me enough time to check up on emails and twitter before it was time to go out again. The only email of note being the Blog Challenge. It’s amazing how many Nigerian businessmen want me to look after some money for them, I could be a millionaire by now.

We’d decieded to eat out at a local pub/restaurant/carvery called ‘Birchwood Farm’ because we didn’t want the hassle of a full house and having to clean up all the mess afterwards – selfish I know. I can’t recommend this place highly enough. The prices are very reasonable and the portions generous. I challenge anyone to have a starter, main and then the famous Cake-away and be able to finish it all.

3 Hours later and we’re back home and I get to sit down and type this blog whilst listening to this afternoon’s rugby matches on Yorkshire Radio – I’ve even got a mention in the half time chit-chat. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be spent in an equally relaxing way catching up on the TV we have recorded through the week, hopefully the Wife will have watched some of her ‘Homes Under The Hammer’ episodes that she’s got series linked. I can’t believe people watch that rubbish.

All in all it has been a nice relaxing weekend and it has been deliberately slow. I am expecting the be snowed under with work over the next couple of weeks when people start to receive their tax & VAT returns through the letterbox – not that I’m complaining, but I wanted to have a chill out weekend.

What have other people being doing this Mother’s Day?

How to Make Time for Your Hobbies

I can’t take the credit for this as it was posted on another forum by a friend (Bill Miller), but it makes sense and is well worth a read:

How to Make Time for Hobbies.
Hobby time can be hard to find sometimes, especially if you have a lot on your plate already. It pays though to make time for hobbies. Hobbies are great stress relievers.

Instructions

1. To find time for hobbies we need to make the hobby a priority. This may mean that priorities need to be re-evaluated. At times our priorities are in the wrong order. For example, a workaholic may think work is more important than taking time for a hobby. That is, until they have a stroke.

It has happened time and time again when people have serious health problems due to stress or too much work. While recovering they suddenly get a new perspective and opt to rethink their priorities.

2. Combine the hobby with family time or time with the kids. Kids love to learn new things and be helpful. They can shoot a picture or help grow plants as well as learn to bake. Whatever you know you can teach. You never know the hobby could turn into a family business.

Use part of lunch time for hobby time when possible. Who needs an hour to eat a sandwich? How often is time wasted walking or driving around until it’s time to go back to work? For instance, a person who does scrap booking could be happily pasting or clipping away instead.

3. Get rid of people who waste your time. You know the ones you can’t say no to and you dread being around. These people are like vampires sucking life out of you and stealing precious time. All that time spent in misery could be used for a fun hobby instead. Get them out of your life now!

Delegate duties or chores to someone else. Why are you the one doing everything? Give the kids more responsibility and put them to work around the house. Don’t forget the spouse or anyone else living in the home.

4. Combine volunteering with the hobby. Many people feel as though they’re scrutinized for spending time on a hobby. This way you can say I am a volunteer helping others and my community. While this may be true you have also found a way to do your hobby in peace. Talk about a win win!

Plan your time and time your plan. This can be done by the use of time management. If you currently don’t manage time well it’s time to do so. You will be amazed at how much time is available for a hobby when you have good time management skills. No hobby time will be a thing of the past.