Dabbling

How do you relax?

As I have said earlier I am a born dabbler. I have varied interests and hobbies but I can stick to none for long. I get bored very quickly. So, by nature I am Jack of all trades master of none ! Perhaps I am not even the Jack. However, when I get into an activity I give my hundred percent to it even if it is for a very short while.

Lately, I have acknowledged my restless energy. I like to do a lot of things in a day. Earlier I used to think it was my shortcoming. But no more now. As I love my own company the most dabbling in so many things keep me constructively busy apart from my work.

It is difficult for me to relax because I want to stuff in so much in my daily routine. I like to do household chores. Cleaning is therapeutic for me. I am in the habit of cooking daily for myself and family. I do, therefore, watch cookery shows on YouTube a lot to get ideas of cooking the same dish in different ways.

Nowadays, I am devoting a major chunk of my leisure on reading and writing. So less time binging on OTT. Tending to plants and trees in my little garden should be a regular affair. But I don’t get that much time in hand and often depend on the gardener. But I like watering my babies on holidays and weekends.

I am desperately trying to fit in some exercises in my schedule. From next year I hope to make it a daily regime.

I envy those who can paint. I can’t. But I love doodling and colouring. I guess I have to give some more time to perfect it.

Even while writing, I don’t stick to a particular style or genre. I have a half written story and a novella waiting to be completed. I write in three different languages. Every language has a different template requiring different skillset. Writing runs parallel with learning as well.

The one thing I am not at all comfortable with is dancing. But I wish to get over my inhibitions in future. Perhaps post retirement…

When we were small playstations, video and computer games were non-existent. Evenings were for outdoor games and long days of summer vacations were for indoor games like cards, carrom, Ludo, Chinese Checker. Now these have been substituted by Wordle, Waffle, Squaredle and the likes. These tend to be addictive and more of a stress inducer. When I get stuck I leave it. Idea is not to prove my expertise but to be engaged meaningfully for a while.

My ex-boss tells me to include traveling and getting together also as part of post retirement plan! I do wish to travel to selective places and bonding with like minded people is a must.

There is one activity which has lately got excluded from my timetable totally – Music! When I was learning classical vocal much time was spent on listening to the Maestros. I have to pick up the threads as without melody life is mere cacophony.

Being the godmother of all the strays in the Block, I spend time not only feeding and caring them but also conversing with them. Sounds weird? But I do have a knack of talking to the birds and the bees. In this case, the squirrels and crows and canines. And of course! My Rinky gets, rather demands, all my attention.

At intervals I do require spa time for maintaining health and relaxation. Since I have extended screen time my shoulders have to bear the brunt of it. With the onset of pre-migrain headaches and vertigo a good head and shoulder massage becomes imperative.

A little chit chat with my family off and on keeps me posted on what’s happening around. It can be my aunt in Kolkata, my bestie in Gurgaon or my elder sister at home. The conversation generally verges on the esoteric. Gossips can also be great stress busters. My upstairs neighbour fills me in with the latest in the block.

Weekends I keep for my mother. Though she has very limited working memory left but it’s pure fun to be around her – making one sided conversation or watching TV together.

As I said, I am a restless soul. I like to intercept serious work with some casual or leisure activities. It refreshes the mind and keeps me going. Putting away all leisure activity for a specific day is not me.

My commuting time is pretty long. It serves as my blogging and social networking time.

Afternoons on weekends and holidays are for an hour or two of siesta. I avoid noon time engagements.

Somedays I just laze around. Those are the days for sky gazing or just staring out the window at the greenery outside. 😊😊

Oh! But I never told you about my shopaholism! But let’s keep that for some other time …🤦🤦🤦

I have a habit of picking up newer hobbies. Notwithstanding the list above if I have to write for the prompt again the post may contain things entirely different.

Well! For that matter I am seriously thinking about restarting my podcast….😉😉😉

Thanks to the prompt I have now got so much more to dabble in …..😆😆😆