It's a Date

The assignment was simple.

In order to make “life a little more special and sparkly,” Sarah McColl of Pink of Perfection offered up this project: “take yourself out on a date.”

”Woo” myself? Take myself out on a date? Something worthy of a paramour? I figured there were two ways to look at this. 1- Something I would do for my paramour or 2- something I’d want my paramour to do for me. I mean… the point of a date is to make you feel good right?

Well in the aftermath of working 80+ hours a week (with no end in sight) the concept of getting dressed up to rush to make a dinner reservation to then make it in time for cocktails on the other side of town… seemed like an anti-date. Something that adds stress to my life is not going to woo me anywhere. Ok so what is it I need/want? Quiet stillness. That’s it. That was the best date I could give myself.

Now I’ve never been what you would call a new-age person. I don’t own whale-song cd’s, I don’t burn incense, I don’t even own a yoga mat. But it was clear that I needed some help to acquire this quiet stillness I was searching for.

I pondered for a moment. Meditation? I’ve never done it in the past, but extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. I fired up the computer and poked around a bit. Oh there were the whale songs. No, no, not me. Long sermons by ‘Buddhist masters’ with oddly American names. Nope. Rain forest sounds? Nice… but no. Guided meditation? A soothing voice basically ordering you to relax? CHECK! I decided to download a few.

While I waited for the ipod to sync I toddled to the kitchen to check on provisions (the basic rule is that you must feed/be fed on a date right?) I grabbed a bowl of fresh strawberries out of the huge pallet I had bought close to the farm down in the valley. I nabbed a bottle of cava rose and a champagne flute and on my way out of the kitchen… a block of 70% cocoa chocolate.

The lights were already dim (it was evening after all), so I set some mood lighting (hey I deserve it!), snuggled myself onto the couch with my provisions set out on the coffee table.

Click. Play.

Soothing sounds, soothing voice, complete and utter relaxation? You betcha. I was calm, I was peaceful, I was happy. I was alone, on the couch, smiling. For a brief second I felt guilty about taking the time out to do this. I had so much work to do. I quickly mentally smacked myself and settled back into being relaxed and content.

After my meditation session was done I removed the ear buds and just exhaled. I sat in the darkening room, munched on my treats and just wallowed in the quiet, in the stillness, in the unbelievable comfort of it all.

This was officially one of the best dates I’d been on in a looong time.

What did I discover with this assignment? Besides the fact that Sarah is a genius? Well… “new age” turns out to be very old age, and that I like this meditation thing. I honestly felt more focused, less scattered, less out of control…and happy. I discovered that in truth, while it sounds simple… finding time, and allowing yourself that time is a challenge. But I also found that I really, really needed to woo myself.

Thanks Sarah.

How do you all take time out for yourselves?

Erin

 

Comments

[Sarah]

Oh my goodness, I am bouncing out of my chair with joy! This is exactly what I hoped people would get out of this. And you needed this so bad, too! EB, I am so so happy that you just took some time for yourself and ended up feeling more relaxed, more sane. I can't wait for my own date, and to read about everyone else's. Thanks for POP Projects off to such a great start. You're my hero. :)

[EB]

Sarah-
Oh I'm glad! I really really REALLY, needed this. You really did have a pip of an idea there. I can't wait to read everyone else's and yours too!

EB

[Victoria]

Well, I'm going to have to give this a little thought. But I will tell you that no matter what else I do, on my birthday I eat a bag of potato chips and drink half a bottle of champagne.

[EB]

Vic-
Potato chips and champagne? How very 'Seven Year Itch' of you!! I love it.

EB

[PopArtDiva]

I have been dating myself for about 10 years now. It's the longest relationship I've been in aside from my pets, lol.

My favorite "me" date? A Johnny Depp movie, a cherry martini, some blue cheese olives and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert!

Remember, you must love yourself before you can love others - so love yourself with great food and drink and do it on a regular basis!

PopArtDiva

[EB]

Hey Pop Art!

I could be happy watching "Cry Baby" on repeat with a few gimlets and a tub of ice cream.... no problem! I love that idea in fact!! I'm a big fan of loving yourself so you can love others. A maxim that is very much true. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I really love your page dedicated to tiny foods. This could be because I'm a big fan of eating with my hands... and little foods are generally conducive.... Oooh new plan. "Cry Baby" and a plate of petit fours!

EB

[Christie]

This sounds like the perfect date! You're right, the rushing off to the restaurant for dinner thing is so against what a date should be: fun!