It happens to be one of those days when I have too much on my plate and nothing seems to be moving at all. I woke up with a sore throat this morning and a slight touch of feverishness. I admit I did fantasise about curling up with a book and reading all day. But, of course, it wasn’t meant to be! A little while back, the maid came knocking after two days of absence, but instead of walking in, she stood by the door only to declare that she isn’t turning up for work at all for the next three days. I have a lot of things scheduled for the day. This is definitely going to upset my schedule, for sure.
I’m trying to make the best of the day, but there’s a question that’s popping up in my head every now and then…what’s this with the day? Why aren’t things going to plan?
No, actually, there are two things that actually did make me feel good, today—the large mug of Assam tea that I had first thing in the morning, and the stretches and twists from my morning yoga session, that helped me get over the sluggishness. It was so relaxing to go into a trance while meditating, if not for the jarring sound of the door bell, with the security guard coming to deliver a package.
I am now persistent, ready to do anything to make my day a good one. As I grab my diary to chalk out the plans for the day, I realise I have not been able to complete my to-do action plans from last week, which means I have to somehow fit them in within my current week’s plans. Not an easy one, this!
At times like this, when I have too many things to do and can’t decide which one to tackle first, I’m going for something that always works. Another cup of Assam tea, this time with the luxury of adding some freshly grated ginger into it. Ah, bliss! Outside it looks so gloomy—I wouldn’t really wish to look out of the window at all! One glance at the days newspaper and I’m heading for the shower first, before sorting out breakfast.
And while in the shower, it dawns on me, perhaps the key to getting it right on a day like this is to embrace the randomness! Why do I need a plan always?—I ask myself. Why stress over how much I can do and why kill myself over it? Now, I feel light already. I’ll just do whatever I can to finish that to-do-list but I’ll keep aside an hour to do some random things that make me happy. Just about anything.
Okay, the post that I was writing for today’s Monday Musings never got written eventually. Just like the many things in life that I set out to do never got done. Why am I even thinking of all the things I couldn’t do/cannot do/didn’t do? Okay I may not be good at one thing, but perhaps I have been better at others—why can’t I think of those, instead, today? Of course, I’m telling myself how I learnt it the hard way that there is no such thing as a perfect day. And, it isn’t possible to always focus on what others need or what makes others happy. But, what I can do, is to make myself happy, watch where my thoughts are leading me and take it along a happier path today. I’m sure I can do that.
I need to go now. I’m just beginning to see the light peeping out from the clouds outside just as the mist in my head is beginning to clear up. Let me get on with my day and leave you to get on with yours. Before I go, here is a short message for you:
Be brave. Do what you love. Find out what makes you happy. Go ahead and do what you’ve set out to do. Follow that wish. Get a job. Dance. Sing. Fall in love. Carve out your niche. But, most importantly, remember, its okay not to have any plans at times. Just go embrace the randomness that is life.
My Monday is not quite panning out the way I meant it to be but I’m embracing the randomness of it all and making the most of it. What about you? How is the day progressing so far? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
********
(Linking up with #Mondaymusings on Everyday Gyaan)
You are very brave to give into the randomness – I need everything planned and go berserk if things fall apart! Love the way you go with the flow with such ease- I still have a long way to go!!
One thing at a time… and as and when they happen…. great mantra for a day when we get up from wrong side of the bed!
Loved the thought of embracing randomness!
– Anagha from Team MocktailMommies
https://mocktailmommies.blogspot.com
Thank you! Yes, you are right…one at a time sounds better on certain days. Randomness can be bliss too 🙂
Ahh!!! Thats life…. Unpredictable, random, surprising, twisty et all 😁
So true…couldn’t agree more! 🙂
Ah another of your completely liberating posts Esha. Sometimes plans have a way of crashing mid-flight and yes on those days it’s a good idea to embrace the randomness and just be.
I hope you are feeling better now. Big hugs ❤️
Thank you for your appreciation, Natasha. You’re right…randomness can be a good excuse sometimes to go with the flow and do something impromptu. Thanks, am much better today. The tea worked wonders and I did manage to get quite a lot done as well. I need to catch up on reading this week’s posts now. Will hop over to yours too. 🙂
Embracing the randomness – that sounds like a perfect idea.
A lovely post, Esha – engrossing, yet light hearted musing.
Thank you, Sid! Life lessons learnt the hard way are every bit worth sharing, won’t you agree? So glad to see you stopping by and sharing your thoughts here.
This was such an engrossing read, Esha! See the wonders randomness that do to one´s writing. Such a joyous post….I loved how you went from being panicky to all Zen. Cheers!
Thank you so much Tina! Glad to share my ups and downs on this post as I do every week and even more so to find friends to stop, read and appreciate them. Hope you had a great Monday 🙂
I did I have a pretty decent Monday. No complaints, thank you! Lol! I really loved the read as much as others who stopped by. Love and Cheers!
People underestimate the way serendipity works, I feel 🙂 We are so stuck with planning like crazy that we do not see that sometimes just going with the flow can also lead you in the right direction.
Godyears.net
Serendipity is the word, doc! I need to embrace that and learn to let go. How easy it sounds but believe me, it will take a lot of unlearning to do just that. Thanks for the advice.
When you are stickler of plans and lists, it’s tough to accept when things don’t turn out as per your expectations. But the best is to let go and enjoy the randomness of the day, as you mentioned. There’s no point in fretting, because some days are just like this. Take care, Esha and wish you a wonderful week ahead.
It is tough, Shilpa, to accept when things do not go to plan but what else can we do but accept it and move on. Thanks for your kind words. I do hope I can still make the most of my week ahead. Wishing you a productive week as well and some time to focus on yourself and relax in between all the work that will keep you busy. Take care
Oh I’m a compulsive planner and an equally compulsive giver up of plans. Not a very nice place to be in but that’s the way it is. It’s been raining here too for the past two days. i quite like cloudy/rainy days. They make you want to give ip your plans and be random.
I used to love rainy days. But, now in Bangalore, rains bring a lot of chaos (The kid comes home late from school, which adds to my worries. The better half gets stuck in traffic etc etc)I still do, on weekends when everybody’s home and we can make some special plans to have fun together! I love how you can give up so easily on the plans you make and just enjoy the randomness.
It irritates me when things don’t go as planned. Randomness makes me uneasy which is strange because I also believe some of the best things happen when we chose to let randomness take over. My Monday has been hectic so far and probably the week is going be like that. So, I’m going to try to not fuss over it and maybe go for some ginger tea myself.
Hope you feel better, Esha. 🙂
Randomness may not always be easy to accept, I admit. Some days, when we actually need to get some very essential stuff done, might be difficult when our plans go awry, but what I think we need to know is things don’t go we plan them, so accepting what isn’t in our control can also be a good idea rather than fret about them! You know, making life bearable so we don’t end up getting too stressed (there’s enough to worry about, anyway!)
such a lovely post DI…I am exactly like you who like to plan things well in advance and then feel upset when things do not work according to my plan..you know everyday before going to bed I make it a point to write a to-do list for the next day..and that I write along with the time each task is going to take..however in most days things do not work according to my plan and those are the days when I am cranky..
Thanks Tina. Yes, the feeling of being out of control when things don’t go according to plan is familiar. Its such a nice habit to plan the day in advance, the night before. I don’t find the time to make a detailed plan before the day so I do it in the mornings. Talk of cranky days…I know it so well!!
First of all lets hope all that tea makes your fever go away. Secondly, I love the way you embraced the randomness . Nothing ever really goes according to plan ( in my estimate at least) and that’s the beauty of life …..Hope you get all your jobs done though as that can be quite a back log to clear….
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sunita! I did manage to get about half of my work for the day done, which was better than what I was anticipating. Hopefully, after having got a substitute to fill in for my absent home help, I’m hoping tomorrow will be a better day. Btw, the ginger tea really worked. 🙂
The mention of Assam tea made me crave for some. I like days like these when anything goes. Just randomly picking up a task without the worry of finishing it… It’s relaxing in a way. Hope you are having a wonderful Monday 😀
Thanks Rajlakshmi…You know, my power source for the day is Assam Tea. 😀 It should be relaxing by evening hopefully. Until then, just keeping at it. 🙂
I am quite a fan of randomness much to the irritation of my husband. But yes, there are days I too have a problem with things not going according to plan.
Thank you for your lovely reminder, Esha.
Thank you Corinne. Taking it as it comes. 🙂