Life of Leisure

Today’s New York Times Small Business featured an article on the importance of making and taking time for leisure. However, Why Leisure Matters in a Busy World speaks to more than just adults in the work place, but to parents at home with their children as well.

Parents who work at home as the primary caregiver for their children or as entrepreneurs (or in my case, both), face a constant blurring of work and leisure time. In fact, many would argue that at-home parents have NO leisure time. When there are no clear boundaries (children often have needs before 9am, after 5pm, and even on the weekends, Gasp!) and you are passionate about your parenting, it is very easy to put your personal leisure last on the list. Have I mentioned the number of times I’ve had to cancel special Mom-Get-Aways to take children to the emergency room?

“Improving our relationship with leisure can also reduce job stress, improve work-related skills, increase tolerance and understanding and enhance decision-making”

Ah, yes. I’ve learned that leisure is as important as taking my vitamins and exercising. Early in my parenting years, I often felt guilty about taking time for myself. There was always a load of laundry that needed folding. Dishes that needed washing. Was it really okay for me to read a book when my infant could be learning sign language?

Later I discovered Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and faithfully followed her recommendations during some of the most productive years of my parenting life. I fell off the wagon a few months ago and my productivity has noticeably decreased. But the miracle of Cameron’s morning pages, artist dates and daily walks is that they make an instantaneous impact, and balance can be quickly restored.

“We need to plan for leisure — perhaps by doing one small thing every day, identifying long- and short-term leisure goals, putting enjoyable activities on the calendar — like we do other aspects of life.”

And so I do. Knitting is an easy, enjoyable leisure activity (Cameron would refer to it as an artist activity) that I regularly employ for pleasure as well as mental health. Even when life is too busy for a large project, I can always work on a pair of socks. Hand knit socks are fun and luxurious to wear especially after a pedicure, another of my favorite leisure activities.

“Leisure can happen when we are in various states: artistic or creative, physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, learning new things, volunteering, active, passive, or as a spectator or participant. One can be emotionally connected and engaged or not. And we can even have leisure at work and be more productive, healthy and creative.”

Despite the challenges of full-time parenting while working from home, I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is a distinct rhythm that my children and I have fallen into that feels right. For example, as I write this it is 6pm and my children and their friends are running through the house playing hide and seek. The dog is helping and every five minutes or so there are screams and giggles. I’ve promised to join them as soon as I’m done. Many would call this chaos, a far cry from an ideal or even leisurely working environment. But for me, it is just another day in a life of leisure.

life of leisure

Originally uploaded by EllenJo