a weekend lesson in vegging out

We had a fun weekend planned for no apparent reason. Lunch at a delicious Lebanese spot, shopping at the mall with some gift certificates, a movie at an actual theater (we never do that anymore — so expensive!)*, trip to the dog park followed by acai bowls, BBQ with friends, an IHOP breakfast and a relaxing day with a groggy Teddy who just got neutered yesterday.

It was a good exercise in letting go and remembering that’s it’s OK to chill. This hasn’t been an easy lesson to learn since becoming a freelancer. When you work for yourself, you often feel like there’s always something else that can be done. And when you work from home, it’s often hard to officially end the work day. In this day and age of teenage entrepreneurs and wildly successful start-ups, does anyone else ask themselves, “Am I doing enough?” I’m not saying we should praise laziness, but I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I sometimes feel guilty for getting some R&R.

But Teddy’s surgery ended up being the catalyst I needed to tell myself, It’s OK to relax! Post-neutering, the poor guy was in a total pain medication haze and could barely walk or keep himself upright. He’s forbidden from much exercise or activity for the next couple weeks, and for his first day, I wanted to make things as soothing as possible. I just sat on the floor — in harem pants no less! — petting him while watching the Emmys. And then we ordered Papa John’s. And then I fell asleep reading magazines on the couch. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel guilty about any of it.

*We watched Blue Jasmine. I can’t give a proper review because I fell asleep intermittently, but from what I saw, I didn’t like it. Cate Blanchett’s character was so unlikeable. What’s with the good reviews? Someone please explain.