Ordinary days
There is much to be said about having an ordinary life. Ordinary in the sense of balanced, not disastrous, not crazy successful. Just one day at a time of comfortable normality. Days like today I work, exercise, do some housework, cook, shop, maybe even sew or knit a little. It’s undramatic. A pottering sort of life.
I have come to realize that the pattern of ordinary days brings contentment. Simplifying those days and eradicating the hectic as much as possible gives me the time and space to be happy. Not a wild dancing on the table happiness. But a warm deep uncomplicated acceptance that this is my life and I like it how it is. Maybe difficult times in the past help me to appreciate what I have. I know from experience that there will be difficulties ahead, with health, aging parents or just generally with things beyond our control going horribly wrong. Somehow that knowledge means that I appreciate more the days when things just carry on and are undramatic and fairly predictable.
Have I achieved all that I set out to achieve in my life? I still have dreams (writing a novel, remember?), but they are mostly fairly achievable with a bit of work. No more pie in the sky aspirations. Many of the dreams that I had when I was younger have been dumped along the way. I don’t want to run a major corporation or compete in the Olympics. I’d just like to stay healthy and be able to raise my kids to be civilized balanced and happy people. With ordinary lives….
I almost feel sorry for people who really do believe they can do it all and have it all. You can’t, you know. Someone always pays.
My life is unspectacular. I’m lucky enough to live somewhere very beautiful, but my wants and needs are modest and above all I value having time for the things that are important to me and my family. Right now I’m investing a lot of time working with my son who sometimes finds school pretty tough. I’m so glad that I can be there for him when he needs me. I can’t imagine what would happen if I wasn’t here. Maybe one of his sisters would step into my shoes, but that would be expecting a lot from them.
I realize that I am very, very lucky because I’ve been able to work freelance from home for years – so I’m always here when I’m needed. And hopefully not too stressed. That doesn’t work for everyone I know and I do appreciate it, believe me. Also I’m happy in my own company, so being home all day doesn’t mean I’m climbing the walls. But I did have to make changes to get to where I am, and I did have to swallow some pride.
I think it was worth it.
There’s a lot to be said for ordinary days.
Helen
May 7th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Thank you so much for writing this! I have been thinking a lot about the ordinary life, lately, as I’ve slowly come to accept its charms, it beauty and its necessity. The drama of my “important life” (I used to be a nightclub manager) seems far away and, well, horrible. Swallowing one’s pride is never fun in the process, but, like medicine, it seems to do some very good things.
May 7th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more, Helen. The older I get the more wonderful “ordinary” seems. My calendar is usually pretty full because we do adult foster care and have many appointments, but on those days when I get up in the morning and check my calendar to see a completely blank, ordinary day? Oh, the bliss and gratitude I feel! I do think, however, that you are a pretty spectacular person. 🙂
May 7th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Ordinary days are my favorite and the older I get the more I just like ordinary days and not all the hoopla of non-ordinary days. Parties, drama and excitement are over rated. I think I’ll finish my breakfast, go for a swim and then grocery shop…then I can sew the rest of the day.
May 7th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Lovely post Helen and so true. Ordinary is just fine by me. I`ve had enough draaamaa!
May 7th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I love the ordinary days too, generally not ordinary days in the office though lol
May 7th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
we are retired and loving it. no money but doing what we love all day long
May 7th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
I’m with you all the way. Once upon a time I thought I wanted to “get on”, but it wasn’t me. I am lucky that I only have to work a couple of days a week, and can spend the rest dog walking, gardening and sewing. Some people would call it lack of ambition – I call it living the good life!
May 8th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
I love ordinary! I found myself over recent years repeating the phrases “I just want a drama free existence”, “I long for dull” & “I just wanna play with grown ups”.
Well I am pretty much there now & I love it!
Days consisting of reading, cooking, sewing & gardening are what I call bliss. Heck even cleaning can have merit so long as there is not too much of it LOL.
May just be that our Grandmas had it right all along huh?
Cheers
Lush
May 9th, 2012 at 4:44 am
Amen; there is definitely something to be said for “ordinary”. I love the feeling of contentment. More people should work towards that!
May 9th, 2012 at 8:34 am
Agreed! I love being ordinary. It’s so much fun and fulfilling.
May 16th, 2012 at 7:07 am
I love this post…have come back to read it two additional times! Since I teach college part time…my ordinary days come in the summer when I truly can relax! I’m so looking forward to these days!