Unwind is something I really value at the end of the day. That moment where everything slows down, where you can finally switch off and just… be.
It’s funny actually, because a few days ago the subject of retirement came up and Michael said, “well, you’ve been retired for years!” And he’s not wrong. I haven’t had a “proper” job for a long time now. I did have a part-time job in a golf shop a few years ago, but aside from that, my days have been filled with all sorts of creative things — writing, photography, blogging, YouTube. None of which bring in huge amounts, just a few pennies here and there, but I love them all the same.
And I know how lucky I am that Michael supports all my little endeavours. It’s not something I take for granted.
But even with that kind of lifestyle — one that might seem quite relaxed from the outside — I still really look forward to that moment in the day where I can properly unwind. Because it’s not just about being busy or not busy. It’s about giving yourself permission to stop.
For me, it usually starts in the late afternoon with a shower, which always feels like a bit of a reset. Then I’ll head downstairs, get dinner going on the hob or in the oven, and settle onto the sofa while it cooks. That’s my moment. A glass of something nice — maybe a cold gluten-free beer, or a kombucha, or even just tonic with a splash of fruit juice — and a few snacks on the side. It’s simple, but it feels like pure bliss.
And I think that’s the thing about unwinding. It doesn’t have to be anything big or elaborate. It’s just those little moments where you allow yourself to relax, to let go of the day, to not be “on” anymore.
For people who’ve had a stressful day, it’s probably even more important. That transition from doing to resting, from thinking to just being. And weekends too — that space to slow down, to enjoy something, to create that same feeling of ease and comfort. Because without those moments, everything just feels a bit… constant.
So whether it’s sitting quietly, watching something you enjoy, having a nice drink, or just doing absolutely nothing for a while, I think unwinding is something we all need more of. It’s not lazy. It’s necessary.
This is something I touch on in my book too — that idea of slowing down, creating space for yourself, and finding balance in everyday life. If that resonates, you can find it on Amazon and if you google The Enchanted Midlife by Suzy Turner, you will also find it on numerous other online bookstores (it’s available as an ebook AND a paperback—and in Portuguese too!).
If you’re taking part in the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year, let me know in the comments so I can check out your posts. And if you’d like to catch up on the rest of mine, you can find some of them here: A is for Alchemy, B is for Becoming, C is for Cycles, D is for Disillusionment, E is for Energy, F is for Flaws, G is for Grumpy, H is for Hormones, I is for Intuition, J is for Joy, K is for Kindness, L is for Laughter, M is for Midlife, N is for Nourish, O is for Overthinking, P is for Purpose, Q is for Quiet, R is for Rubbish, S is for Silly, T is for Today
