The Joy Club member and host of our monthly ‘Writing for wellbeing‘ workshops shares her tips on how to create your perfect day.
Is there such a thing as a ‘perfect day’? And if there is, how would it look for you? Can you create your perfect day? Well, I believe you CAN create your perfect day – a day that inspires you, brings you unbridled joy, provides you with peace and a sense of calm. A day that makes you feel good to be alive. A day that uplifts your heart and spirit and gives you a sense of purpose.
It is so easy to get caught up in the mundane of everyday life. We accept this as the norm and then wonder why we feel low or uninspired. Creating your perfect day can give you a renewed vigour in your life and can transform your mood into one of positivity and hope for the future.
Your perfect day might change with the seasons or just because your life path has altered, so it is a good idea to review your ‘perfect day’ from time to time and change its focus if necessary. When creating your perfect day I recommend that you review it every six months to make sure your needs are being met to suit your current life.
Defining what your perfect day should look like can be daunting for many. You may feel that you are being selfish trying to create a ‘perfect day’ as if you are not worthy in some way to enjoy a snapshot of time that makes you feel good about yourself and about life. Of course, you are absolutely NOT being selfish. Trying to create your perfect day is a wonderful form of self-care in which you are looking after your health and wellbeing and yes, you deserve to feel good about yourself. Thinking about your perfect day and putting your ideas into action can actually elevate your mood and confidence to such an extent that it can change your life for the better.
So here are my top tips for creating your perfect day.
- Take a notebook and pen and go somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed and will feel inspired. I often go sit in my village churchyard as I enjoy the peace and quiet and often feel calm listening to the church bells that chime regularly.
- Before you start writing, close your eyes and breathe slowly, calming down your body and mind, pushing away all the stresses of the day. Do this for about five minutes.
- Keeping your eyes closed start imagining what your perfect day would look like. Where are you? Who are you with? What is the weather like? What are you doing?
- Now open your eyes and start to write down all your thoughts about your perfect day. Write freely and without stopping to think too much. Write down every detail. You may want to write down exactly what you are eating or even what you are wearing. Don’t hold back. This is YOUR perfect day and so it will be different from anyone elses.
- Now here comes the tricky part, trying to turn these thoughts into action. Some of your ideas might not be achievable for logistical reasons but if you simplify your plan you can accomplish your ‘perfect day.
So here is an example of a perfect day I recently put into action. My family are the most important part of my life and after a busy few months, I realised I hadn’t had a ‘family day’ recently. So, I wrote down ideas for my perfect day with my family and I set to work to fulfil this plan. Looking ahead at the weather forecast (I know it can be difficult in the UK!) I planned a garden party for the family. I decorated my garden with brightly coloured bunting and set the garden table with a vintage table cover and vases of fresh flowers. To complete the dream setting I presented a typical English afternoon tea on a vintage china dinner service. As the family arrived and I saw the smiles and laughter I knew I had created my perfect day with very little effort. The memory of the day uplifted my spirit for days to follow and even now I still feel the warm feeling in my heart that I felt that day.
Never underestimate the power of creating a perfect day to help improve your mental health and wellbeing, the effects of which can linger with you for a long time. The only thing holding you back is your own imagination, so let go of restrictions and be free in your dreaming for that ‘perfect day.’
Susanna x