JOURNALS

Today was all about relaxation and play, with a blend of responsibilities. I began my day by heading to the studio, sorting through the various cameras we're less familiar with. This task was important; knowing how to make good use of these cameras will open new creative doors, even during downtime. After gathering the cameras, it was time to unwind.

Gardening featured heavily in the plans. I've always had a love-hate relationship with it, but today I decided to incorporate the unfamiliar camera into the activity. While my camera battery let me down, the gardening itself was therapeutic, clearing pathways and trimming the greenery. More than anything, it was a reminder that even simple outdoor tasks can provide surprisingly refreshing times to unwind.

Household duties were next. Making sure food was prepared and in charge of the evening’s meal. I'll admit my motivation took a nosedive later in the day, but podcasts came to the rescue. Cooking became less of a chore, and everyone was well-fed by the end of the day, which brought a gratifying sense of accomplishment.

The night's grand finale was the midnight dash to the train station to pick up my eldest son. The day had been long, but waiting for that midnight train gave me a chance to reflect on the day's slower pace. Even with a relaxed day planned, having midnight to focus on created an interesting mix of relaxation and alertness.

Staying up late for the station run reminded me how blended activity and idle time can impact relaxation. Overall, switching off from the usual hectic pace already seems to be doing wonders. I am genuinely looking forward to taking it easy the rest of the week. No projects, no code – just pure unwind time. Today’s mellow tone has set the week's pace, with gardening, food prep, and family moments marking a well-earned break.