A day in the life
7:00am — My daily alarm goes off. I reach for my phone which I keep under my pillow and automatically turn it off. This is my aspirational wake up time. I’m not there yet.
9:00am — My eyes flutter open. That’s better. I look at the time on my phone and take the opportunity to read the news headlines, “Herd immunity isn’t binary”, and preview my messages. I check my Instagram. Meh. I lay in bed thinking about my day. I promised myself I’d wake up early and go grocery shopping. I’ve eaten my way through the fridge and pantry, as I like to do every single time before I restock. Last night’s meal was a struggle. It is time. I hate grocery shopping.
10:00am — I’m still in bed. I craft all my best ideas in a dreamlike state in bed. Today I have time, so I dream on. I check my Instagram. My friend released his new song today I see! The lead up was intense. I listen to it on my Spotify. I like it! I listen to it a couple of times.
11:00am — Okay, that’s enough. I get out of bed. I make my bed. I have a YouTube video playing in the background on my phone. I make coffee, I don’t really need it, I’m super well rested but its a bit of a habit. I watch more videos on YouTube while drinking my coffee, also a habit. I think about exercising but I don’t. I’m hungry. Maybe I’ll go to the grocery store and then come back and shower I think. I enter the bathroom and find myself in the shower. Okay, I guess I’m getting ready and not going out looking like a bum. I accept that. I even take the time to put on some mascara, conceal my dark under eyes and throw on some eyeshadow. That hasn’t happened in a while. I put on the same outfit I wore yesterday, black leggings, ivory coloured long sleeve top.
1:00pm — I’m finally ready to head out. I grab my shopping bags. At the door, I put on the same jacket and shoes from yesterday. I throw on a hat. “I look different right?” No sunglasses even though its sunny outside. A hat, a mask and sunglasses would be too much! I put on my friend’s song again, grab my keys, I’m out.
1:01pm — Just as I step out my door I spot two guys walking up. I make eye contact with one of them as I step out in front of them. I know they’re probably checking out my ass. I wonder if it looks good. African music is blaring in my ears. Life’s good. About a minute later I’m in a panic. “Where is my mask?” I thought I grabbed it. I have to go back home. I turn to go back. I make eye contact with the same guy again. I smirk. So I was right. My mask is laying on the ground my the door. A little dust won’t hurt. It needs a good washing anyway.
1:15pm — Not part of the plan but I can’t resist going into the Winners next to the grocery store, all hunger forgotten. There is no line up! I don’t need anything, probably shouldn’t spend anything but here goes. I like Winners because what I find surprises me every time. There’s a huge sale going on. I walk by the gloves, scarves, handbags. I stop in bath and cosmetics. I always look for a shower cap. No luck today either but I’ve been without for months. This is clearly a want and not a need. I notice the bath salts I bought from HomeSense is $2 cheaper here. I think about returning it for this one. I know I won’t. I need a new day cream. Most of the products from my winter skincare routine are almost done. I’m still putting together my next routine. I need a placeholder. I spot a cream that might work. Anti-aging, perfect. It dawns on my that everything needs to be anti-aging moving forward now. I’ve reached that point. I’m both happy and sad to be aging. Two things can be true at once. I browse sleepwear. Tempting but not necessary. I can’t resist in underwear however. I pick up two cotton briefs. One covered in blue and red stars, the other a solid navy blue. I’m into blue right now. I browse their contemporary section. I pick up a white bodysuit, a blue sweatshirt that says Quarantine University, (I think this is appropriate. I feel like I’ve just successfully completed quarantine university. I passed with a merit LOL) and a coral t-shirt dress from Adidas. Nothing in shoes. I head to activewear. I might make jogging my thing. I’ve had this idea for a year. I’m almost ready to get started, maybe the right outfit will motivate me. I grab a zip up from Adidas. I know exactly what I’m going to wear the first time I go out jogging. I make a final lap, did I miss anything? I head to the cashier to pay and walk out with one big bag even before I get my groceries.
2:00pm — This is new! There is a security guard standing by the door completing a COVID assessment for everyone that enters the building. I asks me a series of questions. I answer no to all of them. “Is this to go to the grocery store?” I ask. “It’s to get into the building.” He answers, a little meanly. He hates doing this. I grab my sheet and walk in, thinking how stupid and unnecessary the whole thing is. People can lie and he didn’t even ask for my name or number so what exactly are they tracking at the door? Not a whole lot makes sense these days. I walk up to the carts and check to see if someone left a quarter in one of them for me. This happens sometimes. Those are my lucky days. Nothing today but I happen to have my own quarter which in itself is rare. I feel lucky. I would have had to walk around with my Winners haul and a heavy basket of groceries. My playlist is still blaring in my ears. I’ve created my own little world and it’s party time. I surprise myself by not starting at my usual spot, fruits and vegetables. In fact, today I do it all backwards. I didn’t even mean to. Being in flow means sometimes the unexpected happens.
3:00pm — I step out of the grocery store with all my usuals and some unusuals feeling like a donkey. I always buy more than I can carry. I try to look cool and unbothered as I walk back home. I even run to cross the street. I am cool and unbothered! My shoulders are going to pay tomorrow LOL but I refuse to get a grocery cart. It doesn’t even occurr to me, until I’m struggling.
3:10pm — I get home and set down my baggage. I try on everything I got from Winners before I put away the groceries. I love it all. I put on my sweatshirt right away and fold everything else. I put away my groceries. The plan was to cook and then do some work. There is absolutely no way I’m cooking. I eat three mini croissants with butter, a sausage and strawberries with whipped cream. That should do it until I’m ready to cook.
3:30pm — I sit on my computer. I’m working on a project with a client. I promised to send them my thoughts my the end of the week. I’m a little bit intimidated so I’ve been putting this off since our conversation on Tuesday. I thrive on deadlines so I know this will get done. Today or tomorrow? I open up a Word document. I decide I’m not getting up until 5:00pm.
5:30pm — Miraculously, I get it all out. I pat myself on my already tender shoulders. Good job girl. I send it off to them. I hope they like where this is going! I collapse onto my couch. I’m exhausted! Intense focused sessions will do that to you. I lay there sending out and responding to messages, browsing Instagram.
6:30pm — I have a massive headache. I need to eat. I go into the kitchen to make my Ghanaian specialty of rice and stew with chicken. The bottle of red wine I bought is calling my name. Is it advisable to drink when you have a headache and an almost empty stomach? Probably not but I pour a glass anyway. I cook while drinking and watching TV. My headache is worse but I feel pretty good.
8:00pm — Everything I wanted to do today I’ve done. Time to really chill out. I lay on my couch. My waning attention is split between my phone and the TV. Everything’s a blur. That’s okay. That’s me relaxing and doing all the things.
10:00pm — I should go to bed but it’s a little early. I choose to take a nap on my couch instead.
11:00pm — Finally, bedtime! I’m really tired now. Maybe I’ll skip washing my face and brushing my teeth I think to myself. I think this every night. I wash my face and take pleasure in examining my clean skin while I tone, put on a serum, oil, night cream and an eye cream. I think about aging again. When did I start being so vigilant about using an eye cream? I know, this year! When without warning, I noticed some things. I brush my teeth, drink water, check the doors and windows are locked and enter the bed. It’s a little cold I love it. I put my phone to charge. I have a little unicorn cable protector. Too cute. One last look at Instagram. Meh. I put my phone under my pillow and close my eyes. I have no trouble falling asleep.
