Long baths, reading - regular occurrence or special occasion?

[Rebelwithallthecause]

I’ve read a few threads now where people suggest taking a long bath, taking time out to read to help make a day feel special

I’m just wondering now if these are not normal occurrences in people’s daily lives?

I love a long soak in the bath, I love reading and taking time out to garden or crochet.

I don’t see these as things that should only done for special occasions though, just a normal part of doing things I like to do.

DH will also spend his own downtime either having baths, rafts or reading and I feel we get an equal amount of time to do these things and the other will play with or bake with young DC whilst the other is relaxing.

We’ve managed to do more of this in lockdown as we aren’t visiting friends or family or going to the normal places, and so these moments of quiet seem more valuable.

Do you feel you get your daily quiet and relaxation time or save it for special days only?

I have a long bath with a book at least 4 times per week - everyday if I can fit it in!

Daily relaxation time completely depends on your life in general.
On stressful days/weeks I may get time on my own for a bath and to try and chill but tbh it's impossible. I can't go from stress/busyness straight into relaxation zen mode.
I can't just switch into that mode when the opportunity arises.

I do like a long, soaky bath now and then, maybe once a week, but I read (a lot) elsewhere.

Do you feel you get your daily quiet..
At the moment no, not even nearly enough. I go shopping alone once a week and a Saturday afternoon/early evening bath which has become sacrosanct. Apart from those maybe 3 hours a week I have someone (either kids or dp)pecking my head, needing entertaining, feeding, educating, cleaning etc and it's getting to me a bit. I'm not usually much of a bath person, we have a big roll top bath and I feel a bit guilty about filling it (environmental rather than financial )but I've taken to them as its the only room I the house with a bloody lock!!

I do it every day, but it still feels special.

I daren't read in the bath. I have seen too many casualties.

I think the last time I had a bath was soaking (because my stitches hurt) about 3 days after my first dc was born. She's 7 now. Tbf, we only have one bath and it's in dd's en suite and it's not relaxing to remove a bath's worth of plastic toys before soaking.

Reading is relaxing, but I read a lot for work and usually too exhausted to read much in the evenings and/or don't have time. I usually finish up work just before 10pm and then go to bed. Commuting time is used for working, etc. I've been reading a lot in lockdown though, which has been lovely. I finally finished the book that was given to me before I had my last dc just before I went on maternity leave. He's 2.5, so it's taken me almost 3 years to finish it!

It's very normal for me. Most nights after work. It's weird as have been furloughed for five weeks and only had about two baths in that time. Obviously I don't need destressing right now.

I'm showering by the way!!!!

Special occasion for me, love it but just have time normally . It does feel like a real treat when I do find time though.

I have a long bath most days.

I daren't read in the bath. I have seen too many casualties
As in ruined books or something more sinister?

Yeah ruined books. Am a library assistant.

My books are never good enough to read again once I’ve done with them from reading in the bath

I’ve started downloading books to my phone which is waterproof to save them but I prefer holding a book

I read almost everyday. I got a glow in the dark kindle so I can read while I sit by DC2 for hours waiting for her to go to sleep. I used to read on the bus to work, but it no longer seems sensible to get stuff out of my bag on the bus.
I don't have time for a long bath, or anything else that involves peace and quiet on my own. I long for peace and quiet on my own, but I have a 13hr shifts job out of the house still, 2 DC to teach and entertain while DH works, a non-sleeping wonderchild who won't go to sleep until after 9pm (was after 11 last night) and we have to sit in her room until she does.
DH manages to fit in long baths, naps, lengthy toilet trips, solitary hobbies like running and cycling.

I have a long bath each day, that's my relaxation/me time/wind down

@homemadecommunistrussia As an ex-librarian I feel your pain. I read books in the bath on my kindle :)

I have a long bubble bath with a book every evening. Without fail

Before kids - regular occurence.

After kids - doesn't happen.

Maybe after they move out.....

I read a lot but mostly while breastfeeding - it is sort of relaxing but obviously not alone time as such!

I haven't had a bath in over 10 years. I hate baths. Don't get how they are relaxing at all. Shower all the way for me. I love the feeling i get after a nice shower, especially if ive washed my hair as well.

Everyday - 15min soak in 3 handfuls of Dead Sea Salts - I watch Neflix while I soak.

Every night. I did once fall asleep and dropped my kindle in the bath though!

Rather amazingly it survived and the only long-term effect is that it is slow to upload new books. I count myself lucky!

Our boiler is shit and doesn't get hot enough for a nice long bath. I'm always cold in 5 mins so I only ever have showers in my house. I miss my old house.

I haven't had a bath since around 2007. Not enough time and too much water wasted. Showers are the way to go!

I love a bath (and to read in it), but I only have time to really enjoy one once a week or less