Anyone else just enjoy the simple pleasures, to not always have things planned and rushing around doing things?

[Cv8]

I've a busy job, I'm also an introvert and need a lot of down time. I've had a week off work and have just really enjoyed having down time, reading my book, a nice walk every day, just a couple of lunches out with friends/ family. I live alone and like my own company. I've a hobby I love that I do once a week. A couple of different people had asked me what I'd planned for my week off and were a bit surprised when I replied "nothing". I'm someone who needs a lot of down time to recharge. I've a holiday booked for later summer but absolutely no desire to go away now.

Anyone else like this?

Yes, even though I said I'm an introvert, I have a good circle of family and friends that I enjoy meeting up with... once it's not too often!

I’m a bit like this. I like to have the odd day now and then when I do absolutely nothing at all. Might stay in my pyjamas all day. Might bake a cake or watch some TV or do word puzzles or mooch about on MN. I like being alone and I like peace and quiet. I work odd hours for 6 days a week and fit all my admin, grocery shopping and housework into those days too so that I have the option to do nothing on my day off. (Sometimes I have to go and see the in-laws or we’ll see friends which I do enjoy, but then I’ll make sure I get the full day to myself the following week!)

Yep, also live on my own so no one to answer to. Been really busy all week, so now just taking things easy, will go out when I have run out of milk or something. No intention of doing the jobs I thought I might do once the weather got better😂at least not today

I could've posted this. Nearly all my friends locally with primary age kids do multiple clubs, lessons etc after school/ weekends - mainly not for childcare, plus they go away every school holiday.

We're not hard up but I couldn't afford to go away every holiday and half term, and don't like to commit lots of time at weekends to regular things. We do swimming lessons, music lessons during school time and usually one or two other school-provided clubs. If we go away it's to see family apart from our main summer hol. I do want to increase this as they get older, though.

Mine really appreciate time to read, play Lego, potter around, go to the library, have play dates.

I have one other friend like this who's not constantly taking the kids to clubs and it's such a relief!

I work to bells all day (secondary teacher) and am surrounded by people constantly. On days off I want peace. We are the ones who have it right, OP!

Interestingly, I'm an extrovert, but need my head space and down-time. Teen DC do their own things as older, and DS3 (11) has ASN so things need planned in advance/ lots of down time needed- suits me just fine.

Best friend came for dinner last night and sister coming today for cuppa and catch up. That's more than enough thank you!

I love pottering around. It's really so much nicer than the constant busy hustle.

I've a busy job, I'm also an introvert and need a lot of down time. I've had a week off work and have just really enjoyed having down time, reading my book, a nice walk every day @Cv8 This word-for-word describes me.
Having time to read at leisure, get out into nature, snooze in front of Netflix is a dream after a busy week at work. People always ask me what my plans for the weekend are and it’s usually ‘nothing’. I do plenty of activities that interest me but nothing that would be of note to anyone else.

I need both. If I've had a lot of busy weeks, them I need few quiet weeks to recharge.

I think I'm an extroverted introvert if that makes any sense.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it but some g my happiest childhood memories are of going out, at the seaside on a day trip, visiting a fair or museum, even just a picnic on a hill.
Fine to be an introvert and all kids do need downtime, but make sure it’s not too much downtime for them I think. They need happy events, days out and holidays

I tend to say "I've come back to work for a rest", which is true because my time off is often spent gardening, having lunch with DH/family or general household pottering that I can't do during a working week.

i used to love travelling but lately, and especially since COVID, I cannot see any attraction in all the delays - it totally puts me off. I'd far sooner spend 100% on my hard-earned annual leave doing nice things than waste half of it in queues or recovering from the ordeal.

once I win the lottery I've vowed to DH that the only class of travel will be First including limo both legs of the journey.

If the sun is out then so am I.
On my picnic rug with a coffee and a book.

Unfortunately the kids think it's an invitation to jump on my back and play horsey, so I live in hope

I can find a whole afternoon has evaporated and all I have done is sit in the garden listening to birds.

Having a book to read IS doing something. Reading is a perfectly normal thing to do on days off. I sometimes save up a novel for when I can spend a free day on it.

Even as a kid I used to be annoyed at my mum dragging us off to a museum or some kind of workshop every Saturday. All I wanted to do was build forts at home, not get dressed and watch TV. She could've saved herself a lot of energy too, if she just listened!

I'm with you OP, i recharge alone in the quiet. Although i thought i knew this about myself, the pandemic taught me what i didn't know - just how much happier and more well I can feel by taking the time to be peaceful.

Me too although it’s taken me several years after retiring from a hectic job with burnout.
I am perfectly happy with my own company, pottering around enjoying quite walks with DDog, gardening or doing one of a number of home-based hobbies.
I haven’t been into a nearby city that I frequently visited, since lockdown. Window shopping no longer entices me.

Perfectly put @Mumped

Put my washing out on the line today. Sat with a coffee watching it blow in the sunshine and breeze.
Ran a bath and had a cheese toastie for lunch.
Best day ever.

Yes, I am absolutely like this. Horses for courses I suppose.

I have to force myself to do social things sometimes but always enjoy them in the end, so there is hope for me 😀

I'm a bit of both.I like to have some plans,things I need to catch up on and when I do eventually go out I normally enjoy it.
That said I like to just be too.
Relaxing coffee with daytime tv and chores.Nap with my cat then a lovely early evening walk.Helps to reset my body and mind.
Not having to people or please anyone.

Yes, I love doing nothing! It’s my favourite.

Im sat on the back step with a cup of tea watching the sheets dry on the line, feeling the breeze on my face. DD2 is sat on a wall eating a bag of crisps.
It doesn’t feel like nothing, if feels magical.

DD2s dad is taking her to Spain for a few days and my plan for that time is to gently potter and not do much else. I’m only 37 😂 The world is too hectic these days, I think slowing down is healthy.

Love the descriptions of happy people pottering about ! I've been doing the same today - bits of cleaning the cupboards, but lots of sitting out in the garden enjoying the spring sunshine. I now find if I have long /stressful journeys in prospect for holidays, I'd rather look for an alternative.

Also loved @VimtoVimto 's description of retirement, sounds ideal !

It doesn’t feel like nothing, if feels magical.

I love that @TwilightSkies. And you’re so right. Life is made up of these little ordinary moments. Holidays and special occasions/events are great, but for many of us they’re few and far between, so finding value and contentment in the everyday is a precious thing.

Yes LOVE it.

i didn’t understand the vast number of people in my office who didn’t take any annual leave during covid as “there was nothing to do.” They worked instead. I get that one or two may have specific reasons (Ie lonely, work gave them structure during covid etc) but so many people refused a break.

I had a lovely time on my annual leave during covid doing sweet f a but detoxing from work.

doing nothing is an option

Nothing better than a day with no forward planning. Waking up and doing what you want whether that is a lot/very little/nothing is a day well spent.