An experimental series using prompts from 300 Writing Prompts and 300 More Writing Prompts

What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day?

This first prompt could not be more perfect for me.

Since my kids were little I have enacted Lazy Days in which we all stayed in our jammies, watched SpongeBob, opted for snacks over meals, napped, and just generally enjoyed each other’s company. Those are some of my most cherished memories.

I am a low energy person. I am perfectly content cuddled up on the couch watching old movies, napping, or reading. But somewhere along the way, the message sunk in that this was not ok, so I pivoted. I did what I do, and I figured out how to fit in.

I tried the busy lifestyle for a time. I over-scheduled myself, my kids, my family, and my patience. I was deep in the pits of the glorification of busy, making sure my kids were in every camp, club, group, and team that could affect even the peripheral of their lives. I made sure that I was on the right boards, committees, and volunteer groups to be seen and noticed.

I wore the right jeans, laughed at the right jokes, said the right things. I was invited to pre-games, post-games, garage parties, pool parties, and pre-parties. Unbelievably, a 40-something year old fellow sports mom once told me that I was one of the cool moms.

“The Cool Moms”

But all of that chasing never landed me anywhere. I didn’t relate to the other moms. I didn’t care much for the politics of school and sports. I had a hard time finding authentic Christians who were willing to have the hard conversations.

And worst of all, I was beginning to lose myself.

I found myself falling into different personas depending on the crowd. I said things I didn’t mean and kept silent when I should have spoken up.

I screamed at the top of my lungs over things that never really mattered. I fought fights that I couldn’t win.

I forgot who I was.

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But here I am, barely on the other side of 50, single, and in a brand new city with a fresh start.

I am making a very conscious effort to remain true to who I am, and to not try so hard to be who I think I need to be for them to like me. I am trusting the process and that God will bring the right people into my life at the right time.

I’m letting go of the reigns.

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What is my favorite way to spend a lazy day?

At peace.