It’s autumn here now…

I miss the sun….I miss the warmth….It’s getting colder, and I miss the beach….

There are some good things that make their appearance in cold weather…hearty soups and stews served with fresh bread…mmmmm…..oh! and we can’t forget hot chocolate!

*mental note: put marshmallows on the shopping list*

Another good thing to do on a cold day is getting a blanket and snuggling up to watch a good movie. That’s exactly what I did for my discovery date today.

I love discovery dates. Once a week, for a couple of hours, I give myself permission to forget the housework and do something that makes me smile. I wish I started this years ago! Even with a little one (or two or three) at home with me all day, I think I could have done it in the evening, or carved out a couple of hours in the weekend…I just didn’t think about doing something on a regular basis.

Now that I am doing it, it feeds my soul. My children make me very happy, but I also get to discover a different kind of “happiness”. Becoming aware of what I love, and exploring that, brings me that kind of happiness.

So today I got giddy thinking about getting out a sappy dvd while my daughter was at Playcentre. I mean, watching a dvd during the day!?! How indulgent is that!

Calling it a discover date, helps me fight off those thoughts that are telling me I am being lazy, that I should be doing something more useful with my time, and that I should be productive. Calling it a discovery date helps me to remember that it is exercise for my soul. I think it is good practice to do something you love and not feel bad about it. It also gets me out of my comfort zone to try new things in the name of “discovery”.

It’s only taken me 9 years of motherhood to figure this out, hopefully it won’t take you that long!