How do you unwind after a demanding day?

Maybe I inherited it from my mum. It only took about five minutes. But she had to be left alone for that time when she came through the door from work. It was pointless asking what was for tea? could I go out? could so and so stay over? She hung up her work clothes and into something comfortable and she started to unwind. Even if that meant unwinding into twenty cigarettes and the demands of a large family.

Long gone is any office power dressing or stiff nurse uniforms. But I have to do as my mum did and change into comfortable clothes. Immediately, and Joggers preferably. It transforms my mood, my day. Woe betide if a neighbour catches me on arrival, key in my lock, and I am unable to begin the unwinding ritual. Even Axel our cat knows to wait five minutes for a welcome home cuddle.

After that, I unwind enjoying the unconditional love and playfulness of my animals. Deciding on jobs needed in our garden and of course coffee. I’ve emptied Amazon Prime of films I haven’t watched. I enjoy scouring news on YouTube and going between outlets in search of facts that might fall through the cracks of bias.

I guess my days are not so externally demanding anymore. Not work related demands anyway. And my life is less full of toxic or seesaw relationships. I like peace over drama.

Not that life ever misses you. Outside my kitchen door the pink florets are multiplying. Their bloom is near. I want to press pause. I don’t want to miss the pretty pink petals after they fall. Nor watch the beautiful yellow marigolds decrease over our makeshift pond. On the final furlong of watching someone you love with advanced cancer you live for the days that bloom.

And you learn and train yourself to unwind as quickly as possible so as not to miss or waste a moment with them.