Day 1163 So Long, Sunshine State

 

So Long, Sunshine State...
It’s been another fabulous visit!

It’s always a little sad saying goodbye to Dawn, we promise to call, share a quick hug, and part ways until next time. Thank goodness for cell phones. Technology really does make long-distance friendships so much easier. Dawn and I talk daily, and our routine is so ingrained that, while I was there and sitting poolside solo for a bit, our usual "phone time" rolled around. She paused, wondering why I hadn’t called... only to look up and laugh, realizing I was right there with her.

Funny how routines can take hold, they weave themselves into our lives until we don’t even notice them anymore. But that’s the thing: be careful what you allow into your daily life, because once it’s there, it sticks.

I have completely fallen out of my morning running routine..ugh. I really need to pick that one back up. They say it takes two weeks to build a habit, but it seems to only take two minutes to lose it. And it’s true: our routines can either make or break us. With the colder weather creeping in now that I’m back home, it feels like the perfect time to reset and rebuild some of those healthier habits.

Now, if only there were a couple more hours in the day to make all my daily dreams possible. I’m already looking ahead to the weekend, wondering how I’ll fit everything in — Halloween parties, baby showers, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, meal prepping… life truly doesn’t slow down!

No doubt that’s why visiting Dawn always feels so relaxing. I just lounge around, dress up for fancy dinners, and let the world slow down for a moment. But even with all that pampering, coming home felt so good. Tim greeted me with a big hug and a frozen pizza in the oven...pure happiness. He always says he wastes his alone time when I’m gone, has visions of himself going out on the town like a bachelor only to find the reality has him home playing his computer game in his PJ's.  Apparently, I am the fun.

Now that I’m back, we’ll need to sit down with our calendar, fill in all our plans, and hopefully find a little time to sneak in a healthy habit or two.

Here’s to routines, resets, and always making time for what (and who) matters most. Until next time, Florida, thanks for the sunshine, the stillness, and the sweet reminder to slow down....when I can. 

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” – Anne Lamott