A Hamster's Life

Ever see one of those furry rodents running around in their exercise wheel, going nowhere and accomplishing nothing at breakneck speed?  Round and round they go, probably dreaming of an open field someplace where the biggest challenge of the day is deciding where to nap.

Well, I have been feeling a bit like that little guy lately.  I don’t know if it is the endless winter and the anticipation of warm, sunny, “makes people smiley” weather (which is like watching and waiting for a kettle to boil… is it ever going to happen?)  Perhaps the mundane routine of my days (didn’t I just do 10 loads of laundry last week?) and the non-existence of creativity of my gruel that is starting to nag at me, creep into my psyche and gnaw away at my entire being is to blame.  Could be that my get up and go got up and went and I just have to locate, lasso and bring it home to momma again (if you see any misplaced mojo, contact me through this paper).

When at doubt of the origin, consequence or effect of one’s lackadaisical, apathetic and lethargic ways, the best cure that I have found is to take a “mental health” day.  It might be best referred to a “stop the world and let me get off” kind of day to reflect, reassess and re-evaluate what is and what isn’t in your life.  Rather like cleaning your closet and actually throwing away the items that don’t fit, you don’t like and you will probably never again wear in this lifetime.

Or, you can do like I did yesterday and do absolutely nada, zilch, zip.  Specifically, I did nothing of great consequence.  I got up, made the requisite breakfast for my family and got them on their way – which is best to say I got them out of the house, so I could have the homestead all to myself (another essential element to set up the proper “mood” for your day).  I took a shower (which was questionable if I really wanted to do, but chose that I probably should… just it case – but in the real world and for the best mental health day situation, you stay in your jammies all day) and then… I plotzed. It is true; I sat down and started going through the magazines and catalogs that has dwarfed my counter space for weeks now.  I poured myself endless glasses of lemonade, lounged and lollygagged all through the morning.

I made it to 11:30 before a slight tinge of “that’s right, I haven’t done a darn thing all morning” guilt panged and I quickly evaluated the best remedy was to bake cookies – quick with instant gratification.  Besides, it is a known fact that something a little sweet will cure what ails you.  My strategy worked, they were healthy enough to have for my lunch and I was good for the rest of the afternoon.  I didn’t clean, do laundry or go out of the house.  I didn’t even walk the 27 steps to get the mail.  I did succumb to making dinner for the troops, but opening a can of soup and making grilled cheese sandwiches was about all I could muster (I called it “casual night” – themes for dinner always enhance the experience).  I watched my usual highbrow reality shows and made way for an early bedtime.

I accomplished what I set out to do – nothing – and it felt good.  I took the day off to catch up with myself.  I refueled and could almost swear I am ready for today.  Not that I want to rush progress and extinguish my reclaimed gusto, but I am equipped with the right attitude to go out again into public places without feeling that I might want to commit hari-kari on some unsuspecting soul.  Besides, if in a couple of weeks the sun still hasn’t shined (or any other less meaningful rationale of unrequited achievement), I can again venture away from my hamster wheel, find an open field and look for that proverbial napping place.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-