DREAMS OF TOMORROW

” It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.” -J.R.R. Tolkien.

For the past months, I’ve been diving deep into the biography of the family of St. Therese of Lisieux, the Martins, a common family that lived in 1800s France. Though the Martins were what I would describe as an upper-middle-class family, their life inside and outside the home was marked by an angelic simplicity that was quaint to find among persons of their station. By simplicity, I do not mean the gross egalitarian minimalism we see today among people who despise anything that resembles hierarchy or beauty. On the contrary, The Martins’ family life involved the enjoyment of ordinary moments and the pleasures of nature, relatives, education, and religion. Monsieur Martin, Therese’s father, understood that the more he surrounded himself and his family with beautiful things, from the furniture in the house to their attractive evening walks, the more their spirits would be raised to the things that are above. M. Martin did not care to bring his children out into the world, to attend big parties or balls as a form of recreation. He thought it wasn’t needed. And rightfully so, not because these things are bad in themselves, but because he knew that recreation is supposed to make one holier by recreating the soul. Being the sensitive man he was, he could therefore understand that it was within the simple walls of a Christian home that one came nearest to heaven.

Does anyone mirror that thought? I do. Even though I am currently away from home, I find myself best recreated in innocent soul-refreshing amusements that don’t drain me but keep me connected to the Things Above, just like M. Martin. Even if you are extroverted, I’m sure you can agree that sometimes, you need to be alone. Not in dead, sterile silence, but in an angelic silence of the soul that lifts your heart higher. We live in a noisier world now. With the advent of industrialization and technology, there is almost no absence of external sound. And even internally, we worry about many things and have so many ignored desires that it’s difficult to keep the peace of the faculties. So, in the end, many people are walking around as living soundboxes of noise, never praying, never reflecting on more important things than the latest TikTok trend.

In order not to get sucked up into this mess, it’s important to realize that a simple ‘nothing-much-to-do’ life is not bad. In fact, if done well, it can lead one to sanctity. Great Sanctity!

” Do few things. But do them well. Simple joys are holy.” -St. Francis of Assisi.

So, how do you recreate yourself if you’re a kind of woman who gets stressed or disoriented in overstimulated environments? What are ways you can meaningfully celebrate the simple life you love?

Note: This is a sequel to an article I wrote a few months back, Friendship: For the Introverted Woman.

Anyway, let’s begin…

Taking Long Bus or Train Rides To Nowhere.

Yes! What’s not to love?

If you’re like me, who loves taking long rides, this might be for you.

I live in Ireland, which is called the Emerald Isle for no small reason. It’s picturesque green fields dotted with daffodils and daisies are such a pretty sight when looking out the window of a moving bus, car, or train. In more occupied areas in the city, you may not see stretches of green meadows, but erections of small shops, Georgian-style houses, tall black Victorian lampposts, gothic-style churches, and aesthetic cafes, along with some modernized shopping malls, pharmacies, grocery shops, etc. No matter the weather, staring out the window of a moving vehicle at all these can be such a calming and therapeutic thing to do. Not only does it give me time to think, be inspired, and daydream for a while, but it also helps me know the area I’m traveling in a little more. However, the more natural the landscape, the better, because then it draws my mind even higher than earthly affairs. I may even pull out my Rosary while on such journeys or offer up some mental prayer to God.

There’s no need to be scared or embarrassed. Irrespective of location in the world, it is mostly possible to get on a bus ride without any particular stop, destination, or intention, but to examine a new area you haven’t been to. If you’d like to be more pragmatic, which is quite understandable, you may decide to go somewhere far away and book a bus or train for it. Most times, I may take long walks or just get on a long bus ride for no serious reason but to think and meditate. Work and studies interfere, so it may not be often, but it’s sometimes a to-do on my list!

Sitting Down at a Beautiful Cafe for Teatime with Yourself.

This wholesome activity takes the second prize from me. I only regret that I do not live in France, the land of heavenly food and pastries.

As a lover of cakes, pastries, and tea, my best time during the day is that ‘eleven ‘o’ clock-spot’ when you get to have a cup of tea (and sometimes, a biscuit or two), just before lunch. Not only does this refresh me during work and study, but it gives me a few spare minutes to reflect on what has been done and what has to be done later. It is a pleasurable oasis of leisure, small but mighty, enough to rejuvenate me with purpose and inspiration to continue my work before the next break.

For some, this time isn’t eleven o’clock, but perhaps three o’clock during afternoon tea, or six o’clock when the day’s work is over.

For me, a nice way of recreating during these breaks is to walk into a nice-looking (and smelling) cafe and have a cup of tea, or hot chocolate, and a pastry -scones are my favourite! In most of the cafes here in Dublin, the layout is quite relaxing and contemplative. Aside from the background conversational sounds and cafe music, I can look at the view outside or the landscape paintings on the wall, or the different books on the bookshelf, if there is one. For the ten to twenty minutes that I sit down for that cup of tea, I can also have some free time and mind to reflect on anything the Lord puts on my heart.

Christmas, Easter, All-hallows day, and other major seasonal times are the best for this, as cafes and restaurants will have themed interior decor and themed recipes on their menu to celebrate the season. I usually find it a treat experiencing what they have to offer. It’s a small thing, but nice nonetheless, especially if you live away from family.

If you do, and feel a little bit deserted at times, the next one might be for you.

Calling up an Intimate Friend.

Everyone has a friend (I hope), or some person they really get along with. Most, like me, would have high-school or childhood friends they have not talked to in weeks, months, or perhaps, years. Feeling a bit lonely? Call someone. Friends, family, etc.

I find that a nice evening/nighttime relaxation is to call my mother or my childhood best friend, who are both back home, or my current good friend who lives in Dublin with me. There is something nice and therapeutic about telling someone (who cares) how your day went, the joys you experienced, the sadness you might have endured, the projects you’re working on, upcoming happenings, funny thoughts, and so on. Likewise, it’s also great to listen to them do the same. In fact, one of the reasons I enjoy staying in a house with like-minded people is that one is seldom isolated, even if that person is an introvert. There should be someone in your life whom you can talk to about things when the day is over. It gives you perspective on the day past and inspiration for the day to come.

Long bus rides and teas in the cafe are nice, but no man is an island. Even if you’re sensitive and introverted like me, it is healthy to have a couple persons to keep you sane and saintly.

Now, speaking of calling friends…

Visiting and Praying in an Awe-Inspiring Church.

Don’t forget the only True Friend!

What’s life without God? What’s recreation without prayer?

I do not do this as often as I should like, but one praiseworthy thing to do as a hobby is to visit a beautiful church you haven’t been to. And while at it, bend your knee in prayer.

God is our Only True Friend. He’s the only One that can satisfy whatever desires we have in our hearts. It is good to experience picturesque scenery, nice pastry, nice paintings, nice cafes, but all of that is vanity without God. No matter how much we engage in these things, if we are heavily laden with sorrows of the heart, whatever they may be, those will remain for the greater part if we do not leave them at the feet of God. Of course, you do not have to walk into a physical church, but if God is there in actual flesh and bone in the tabernacle, why not? Amidst these innocent pleasures, you may stop at a church nearby, if possible, and pray a little, leaving your anxieties to Him Who really cares. In the end only He has borne with our imperfections, infidelities, and sinfulness. He’s the Only Friend who can read our hearts and minds. He’s the Only Friend who can do something about our misfortunes.

I like walking into nicely built churches to lay down my burdens and to admire the architecture: The high dome ceilings, the stone sculptures of various saints, and sometimes, real-life relics of them too!

The venture is always worth it, and I’m sure it will be for you too.

Taking an Intentional Walk -In a Huge Park, Field, Museum, or Gallery.

Walking is good for you, body and soul. It’s a good form of low-impact exercise, and it helps you quietly reflect, no matter where you are.

Ireland is full of many acres of fields, dedicated as parks, vast stretches of green, leveled shrubs, sometimes lined with towering trees. There is no better way for me to spend an early morning or evening leisurely walking through these lands, sometimes, imagining myself in a woodland fairy tale, and at all times, conversing with God. You may not do these with only parks, but any space with quiet visual or intellectual stimulation can help you calm or de-stress from a usually busy or overstimulating environment.

My biggest inspirations and biggest thinking moments are gotten from times like this. I aim not just to mindlessly exercise but to engage my mind and soul in the activity as well. This sort of activity, however, may not be so nice when it’s raining. And we introverts just love that rain, right? When all seems gloomy outside, there is one type of recreation I know will never let me down…

Cozying Up with a Good Story.

And a good cup of tea or hot cocoa to go with it! Any accompanying hobby, like knitting or sewing, adds the cherry to the top of the cake too.

Like most people, I love disappearing into another world, seen through the eyes of a character(s) who may not be real but, if written well, can embody real human goals, desires, fears, and emotions. The effect of a good story (either in a book or film) is to teach us a good lesson while being entertaining and impactful. While this hobby is nice and is most people’s favourite, I have to distinguish between settling with a good book or film for an hour or two and marathon-watching a screen for the whole day. The latter is not recreation, it’s just plain sloth. In this current world, there is a warped idea that entertainment should be something continuous and that if you want more, just keep watching! Though that is apparently possible for many people’s schedules, it isn’t a healthy way to go through life, constantly being stimulated with visual content. Too much of everything is not good. That is particularly true for this sort of hobby, because it can quickly become addictive (I’m speaking of novels too), especially in a world that encourages fatal escapism.

That being said, while I like to relax with a good book or film for some time, I try not to continue in it for more than two hours. If not, it will quickly defeat the purpose of my recreation. I cozy up with it to relax, not to feel drained and bored with myself in the end. In this matter, the quality and quantity of what is being consumed matter.

The purpose of a good story is to reflect on the deeper truths it teaches after reading or watching it. You shouldn’t be overstimulated to brain-death.

Scribbling in a Journal or Diary.

I am not a journal-girl, on a normal day. Journaling is something I do when I have no one to convey a certain feeling to, and the emotions are bubbling out of my head so much that I have to pour them onto something before I cry my life out.

So, for me, journaling is very seasonal. And quite short-lived. But a beloved affiliation, nonetheless. I know it’s cliche for someone to tell you to write down your thoughts when you’re having the blues, but doing that really does help, especially when you are directing your thoughts as a letter to someone you know might care, but isn’t available. I address all my diary letters to God and Mother Mary. Not only do they care, they’re actually available because they can read my letters in real-time. Sadly, I have not gotten any reply letters in ink before…

Even if what you mean to scribble down isn’t a sad thought but a happy, neutral, intrigued, or interesting thought, journaling goes a long way to make you feel heard. Strange, but it does. It also sets your memories down for good, and if you preserve that book well, you can come back to it, read your old thoughts, and even laugh at your old self! I have never wanted to do that myself, because I can anticipate how embarrassing it would be, but it’s well worth trying.

Though you may end up burning your journal, it’s always nice, in the moment, to put your thoughts down. Not only should it be thoughts, but a written-down conversation with God, too.

And, lastly…

Siesta!

The beloved afternoon nap has to take its last and rightful place because when all is said and done, one needs to take a good nap to wash all that amazing energy down.

I grew up in a Siesta culture, and while some members of my family can do without this tradition of afternoon naps, I cannot. I have never been able to, for long periods. It may be due to my low-energy body or not, but after lunch, there is that swooning drowsiness that calls me to bed for a little snooze. After one hour and so of it, I wake up more refreshed for a nice evening.

This event is what I plan my day around. Not only do I need it physically, but it helps me continue to stay focused in mind throughout the rest of the day. Siesta has actually been said to improve brain health.

Therefore, I have mentioned this as a hobby. It really should be something that you enjoy doing if you do. I do not mean that one should lie in bed for the whole day, but whenever one can, there is no harm in taking rest during midday. If there is one thing that has been zapped from people’s minds today, it is that rest (even at night) is a superfluous engagement that should be set aside for ‘more important things’. While sometimes, this is genuinely true, what I am against is people advocating it as the norm.

In a deeper meaning, taking a Siesta helps me come to terms with the fact that life is not all work. When all is done, we still have to draw back and leave it in the hands of God, without Whose blessing, he that builds, builds in vain; and he that watches, watches in vain.

Therefore,

I’ll draw back here and leave you to tell me what types of slow-day hobbies you find engaging. What are the simple ways you celebrate life without draining your social or mental battery? I’d love to hear from you!

Au revoir,

Christine.