A day of exploring and reflecting

There was one special day last week that I spent mostly alone. It was a day carved out for me to enjoy some solitude and to do some quiet reflections. As someone whose days and weeks go by in such a flurry of activity, that one day was something I really looked forward to, and planned for.

I put some thought into how I wanted to spend my time. A day can go by in a flash if not planned well. Instead of the usual self-pampering massage or a long-needed hair treatment, I felt drawn to doing something quite different. I wanted to put on my explorer hat and to bring with me a sense of wonder as I did some wandering. Exploring the city on foot seemed so appealing, perhaps because I am less likely able to do properly with my children in tow. I downloaded a number of these heritage trails to consider, and hope to do more exploring in the near future!

In the end, I decided to spend my time around the Bras Basah area of Singapore, within the Civil District, just to enjoy the architecture in the area and poke my nose into little shops. I also made time to visit the Mint Museum of Toys, a place I have been meaning to see.

The plan was to first get some exercise by walking, followed by sitting somewhere for breakfast and to journal, and then to take a walk down memory lane by visiting the museum. I later had a long, slow, and I daresay very enjoyable lunch at Saveur all by myself (I chewed so very slowly and sipped my wine), before making my way into Bras Basah Complex, visiting favourites like Evernew, Basheer Graphic Books and Cat Socrates, among other shops.

Throughout the day, I had turned off social media notifications and for the most part ignored the phone. It felt a little awkward at first but then there was also sense of liberation to be in the present totally uninterrupted, to think and to take in all that was around me. I felt like I was seeing clearer, breathing better, and was just really aware of my being and my surroundings. It took me a while to get used to eating without looking at my phone (a bad habit I have when I eat alone), but because I had all the time for my meal, I soon got the hang of it, and even enjoyed the experience. 

I ended the day with a some thoughts and a super long to-do list scribbled in my notebook. Many on the list are boring, unexciting things, but looking at them as a whole, and knowing the thought-processes and plans behind each one, has been encouraging to me. The heart is more settled, the brains in less of a disarray, and I have emerged more centered and ready to tackle reality, craziness and all.