I talked a little about this while still on my recently holiday… the fact that there were so many moments I attempted to commit to memory so that I’d have comfort on the long hard cold winter nights after I returned to the stark fun-free desert that is Australia. (Joking obvs… cos it’s almost summer here!)

There were moments, but there were also experiences. And ‘things’. Things that – I realised – I could actually be doing in my everyday life.

And though I’m only partially talking about having prosecco at lunch every day, I don’t entirely mean that. Ahem, mostly.

It occurred to me that I needed to think about what it was about those moments that enraptured me so.

I commented in last week’s post that I wanted to inject some of that holiday vibe into my everyday life, but in reality and – the cold hard truth – is that I want my life to be more bloody fun. I want moments that I want to treasure in my day to day life. Things or happenings. Many of which (I realise) I must create.

So, here is my carefully curated list of ‘stuff I want to do’ now I’m back in the real world in an attempt to have life not feel as if it’s just some tedious thing we traverse while waiting for the fun to start.

1. Dining out

I have to admit, I tend to think dining out too regularly to be frivolous. And yes, I know it makes no sense for me think those breakfasting out everyday must be exceedingly wealthy (or irresponsible) when I fritter money away on junk food and (usually) not-cheap wine.

In reality, it’s not really (just) the money – it’s because it feels frivolous; like something one’s not supposed to do.

Yet on holidays I dined out at least daily when on my own. And sure I played a little on my phone, but I also people-watched and just took a moment to enjoy life. (And the fruits of my labour… kinda.)

So I’m thinking of instituting a ‘dine out once weekly’ ritual now I’m back home.

2. Doing stuff 

Yes, I know I complained about HAVING to do stuff on my holiday but my life is a bit all or nothing. (And I know that won’t surprise you!) When I first moved to the Fraser Coast I made an effort to do stuff and go to things. I started a local blog at the time and felt some sense of obligation to share / write about things. But apathy set in and as I became more localised I also stopped doing things.

On my holiday I tried to find a balance between playing tourist and just soaking up the atmosphere. Playing tourist meant pushing myself out of my hermit-like comfort zone and doing stuff. And… for the most part, I enjoyed it: the doing of stuff.

3. Doing nothing

And yes, I know this is the antithesis of the previous point but they’re kinda complementary in the way that minimalists like to talk about clearing space and clutter (literally and metaphorically) to free up your time for other stuff.

For reasons I don’t fully understand I haven’t allowed myself to read or watch TV during the day since I left full-time employment in late 2012. (Not even on weekends.)

Interestingly though, when my mother talks about daytime naps, or watching TV etc I tell her she’s got every right to. She’s retired and allowed to fill her days frivolously.

Obviously there’s some mindfuck thing going on in which I haven’t ‘earned’ the right to frivolously do nothing (watch TV / read) when I feel like I SHOULD be working. Or writing. Or something. I need to work on that because even I don’t think it’s entirely logical.

4. Walking (or perhaps wandering)

I walked everywhere while in Italy. It wasn’t all pleasant and the Milan train step incident (of which we shall speak no more) combined with lugging a suitcase up and down stairs is something I won’t miss. But I very much enjoyed the ‘wandering’.

I mentioned in almost every post I wrote about each city that the aimless wandering was my favourite thing.

As an adult ‘walking’ can be mostly about exercise, rather than getting to a place (cos hello, why walk when you can drive or catch transport of some kind?!).

But I live in a lovely part of the world. I have beaches on my doorstep, great esplanade walking tracks and a pier I loved to walk so I need to get back onto that.

5. Make my world feel like it’s a place I want to be

I mentioned in my Tuscany post how much I loved the architecture and decor there. However (sorry to those who’ve attempted it) it can look a bit naff to transplant a Tuscan style villa into the Australian setting. (Or perhaps you just need the right landscape, and suburbia isn’t it?!)

Anyhoo, there were other elements of the decor and that I’d like to replicate – elements that made it feel warm and inviting, luxuriant and tranquil. And that’s something I’ve also started pondering…. but more on that in another post!

Any suggestions to give everyday life more of a holiday vibe? (Or at least make it seem more enjoyable!?)

The Lovin’ Life team includes: