What's your version of total relaxation?

bobcat

bobcat

Well-known Member
Location
Northern Calif
A day at the beach
Camping
Listening to music
A road trip
Watching a good movie
Sitting on the deck with a drink
A picnic
Going for a walk or hike
Gardening
Shopping
Crafting
Painting
Reading
Fishing
Farmer's market or craft fair
Sightseeing
Books on tape or podcast
???
 

Walking in deep woods is my happy place, I've been doing it since childhood. I prefer to hike in silence and always try to leave no trace. I'm very lucky where I live, I can walk into the woods behind my house and it's four miles to the next road. There's also many large parks and nature preserves within a few miles, some of those have walking trails which I usually avoid, I prefer to hike the hundreds upon hundreds of unmolested acres.
 
I was going to say being in the woods, but something wasn't right about that. I'm too engaged in the process, sometimes even too happy to qualify as relaxing. I picture a state where I'm laying back and experiencing gratitude. But that sounds redundant like my version of relaxation is relaxing. I don't feel that a lot, but when I do, I take note, and try to let it just wash over me.
 
For me it would be laying down on the sofa with my cats. Elsa will jump up on my chest and put her little wet nose against mine. She would demand a lot of affection before laying down her warm body against my neck. Elliot would jump up and squeeze himself between my legs and fall asleep. A few minutes later, I would close my eyes and take a nap.
 
So far being retired for the past 7 months.
I have a few books collected over the years where the theme of the books is to find your passion in life. Well it turns out my passion is not having anything to do.
As I get further into my first year of retirement, I enjoy feeling more in touch with myself devoid of wearing a false persona to get through a day of work and doing work tasks that I basically hate when given the luxury of choice.
 
Well, right now it was a week spent in Florida for the Blue Jays training camp. It was really for hubby but I didn't have to cook, clean, drive a car (and run errands). I haven't felt this relaxed for years. The weather was warm and no rain although it was a bit cool on some days...I was still happy.

Otherwise my best bets are walking (preferably outside in a park), reading, spending time in the backyard when the weather is warmer. I always enjoying time by myself.
 
I find my deepest relaxation during meditation, which I've practiced over many decades. Also, I've always found that being in and around tree groves or forests, or on a lake, is relaxing and energizing for me.

After my early work years mostly involving a variety of manuel jobs, I discovered I was able to sell things I'd written. Gradually that (non-fiction, journalism) became a freelance career for about 25 years. True, the aspects of landing an assignment and 'getting the story' weren't always relaxing in themselves. But I'll mention that by this point I'd been practicing meditation for some years, and it became clear that counterpoise from either vigorous exercise during my work day or a good slug (!) of coffee was required... because the relaxation could carry over a bit too much.😯 But I worked out a balance.

After that career stretch, I managed a business association in a large geographic area for seven years; and, while that job was never very relaxed, it was rewarding and the paycheck was ample and steady.

Among my other pursuits these days, I find unpressured writing, or just reading, to be relaxing.
 
Rossana said:
For me it would be laying down on the sofa with my cats. Elsa will jump up on my chest and put her little wet nose against mine. She would demand a lot of affection before laying down her warm body against my neck. Elliot would jump up and squeeze himself between my legs and fall asleep. A few minutes later, I would close my eyes and take a nap.
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Family nap time is a pleasure enjoyed by all recipients.
 
IrisSenior said:
Well, right now it was a week spent in Florida for the Blue Jays training camp. It was really for hubby but I didn't have to cook, clean, drive a car (and run errands). I haven't felt this relaxed for years. The weather was warm and no rain although it was a bit cool on some days...I was still happy.

Otherwise my best bets are walking (preferably outside in a park), reading, spending time in the backyard when the weather is warmer. I always enjoying time by myself.
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Being a baseball fan , your husband plays for the Toronto Blue jays ?
 
A nice beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina listening to the waves and later going into my small cottage to play with my Labrador retriever. Steamed crabs and ice cream later with a nice white, then a long shower with my lover and into bed we go for a nice nights sleep. Windows open, dog sleeping at our feet...perfect
 
I enjoy trying out jokes , skits on unsuspecting tourists I meet here in Miami from Canada and UK like PeppermintPatty and hollydolly so yes eventually I'll be in a mental asylum .

In an hour headed to a shopping mall to buy some fishing stuff but will listen closely for unsuspecting tourists .
 
dusty said:
A nice beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina listening to the waves and later going into my small cottage to play with my Labrador retriever. Steamed crabs and ice cream later with a nice white, then a long shower with my lover and into bed we go for a nice nights sleep. Windows open, dog sleeping at our feet...perfect
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Love N.C and eyeing it to move to .

Do you go there often ?
 
NotCompSavy said:
Love N.C and eyeing it to move to .

Do you go there often ?
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I did go there frequently as I had a place there right on the ocean for many years. I also am eyeing getting back there to live permanently. Price are out of sight and I really don't want the cost and work of maintaining a cottage on the ocean.

If you do go, visit first in the bad season. Stay away from condos...way bad for all kinds of reasons. Do a lot of investigating first and don't be afraid to ask tons of questions. Stay away from Ocean City, md by all means.

Another good place to try is Lewes, De. It's on the ocean and has all the chic anybody might want. It also has people. It's also very espensive. I also had a place there for 2 yrs but did not like all the people.
 

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