I’m so appreciative of your responses to Monday’s post! Look out for the first “wellness topic” next week :)
Throughout this interim stage of mine, one question I get somewhat regularly is: what do you do all day? I get it, we’re all nosy. I used to take offense to the question because I assumed people were judging me for being out at 1 p.m. on a Tuesday. Contrary to what you make think, I DO NOT spend all day on the couch watching Grey’s Anatomy. The truth is, while I do have a lot of freedom, I’ve also maintained some sense of structure in my schedule. I obviously have leeway for timing of activities, but I need structure for my sanity and productivity.
Today’s “day in the life” is from this past Monday. As you’ll see, I have a small part-time job that has kept me busy in the evenings. I would say this has been my typical schedule since May, when I transitioned from ‘YAY funemployment’ to ‘OK, this isn’t funny now.’
7 a.m. Wake-up and watch the opening of the Today Show in bed. I shamelessly love the Today Show.
7:10 a.m.– Say hello to the dogs. By “hello” I mean get lots of kisses (from both) and scratches (from Archie jumping). They play outside for a few minutes.
7:15 a.m.- Heat up my pan for breakfast while unloading the dishwasher. I can’t do anything unless I’ve unloaded the dishwasher first.
7:20 a.m.- Make breakfast. This is an older photo (I posted it on Instagram a few weeks ago) but pretty typical for me.
I’ve been experimenting with egg-free breakfasts (just to change it up) so, brace yourselves, my new “thing” is eating leftovers. Not that original of an idea, but it’s groundbreaking for me. Whether it’s chicken thighs, ground turkey or even salmon, I’ll heat it up along with a vegetable and starch. Sounds weird, but I actually love it. I haven’t gotten the courage/motivation to make it look appealing first thing in the morning, hence the lack of photo. Fried eggs are much easier to style.
7:30 a.m.- Eat breakfast while reading blogs and watching the news.
8 a.m.- Transition out of reading blogs to looking at the latest job postings. I spend about 30 minutes bookmarking roles to then research later.
8:45 a.m.– Walk dogs before leaving for yoga.
9:15-10:30 a.m.- Vinyasa yoga class. It was a very “flowy” class with great music. Bonus that my mom came too!
10:45 a.m – 1 p.m.- I get back home and make a smoothie bowl for a mid-morning snack. I spend this block of time writing cover letters and doing general job search stuff (occasionally interviews).
Smoothie: base of almond milk, strawberries, blueberries and avocado. Topped with more blueberries, shredded coconut, granola and almond butter.
1 p.m.- Lunch break. Salad with leftover rosemary chicken thighs, butternut squash and cucumber.
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. More of what I was doing before lunch, made better with a snack of granola and kombucha (un-pictured).
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.- Physical therapy appointment.
5 – 7 p.m.– Pick up the kids I nanny and spend the afternoon/evening with them.
7:20 p.m.- Arrive home and eat dinner. I cook dinner for myself 5/7 days a week. The other two, I’m very fortunate to have a handy-dandy live-in chef, who goes by the name “mom.” Tonight was stuffed spaghetti squash. My mom had the one stuffed with shrimp and I had the one with chicken, plus avocado on the side. My spaghetti-squash hating dad had plain shrimp.
7:45 – 10:30 p.m.– Catch up with my family and then we all watch the Presidential Debate. I spent a lot of the debate reading commentary on the Twitter. What were presidential campaigns like before social media?! Don’t answer that…
10:45 p.m.- Lights out.
*Linking up to WIAW*
Those stuffed spaghetti squashes look DELISH. Such a cool idea that I would absolutely. I somehow managed to stay away from social media during the debate, but talking to my students about it yesterday in class was equally entertaining haha
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Banana Bread Overnight Oats
I ended up having to rewind a lot of the debate because I got distracted by Twitter!
Love DITL posts! I didn’t know you nannied! That’s fun! I never thought about shrimp in a spaghetti squash but man that sounds yummy! I always make it buffalo chicken style and it’s my favorite.
Heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted…Motherhood: Bedtime Routine
Maybe if I made it buffalo chicken style my dad would like it! I don’t talk much about nannying out of privacy/courtesy but it’s been such a great side-gig :)
You win at food. Seriously. Your day is so composed! And then those spag squash boats… damn. I feel like the majority of my day right now is spent taking Ridley in and out. #dogmom
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Full or Half Marathon Taper Strategy Guide (Coaches Corner)
If only I included the number of times I took Archie outside. Or held a toy for him to tug at haha.
I have to admit I’m always curious what other people’s days are like! It was really interesting to read about yours, and you’re definitely WAY more motivated and get a lot more done than most recent grads. I always love it if I have a weird day off and can do things like go to the grocery store at 1:00 or not have to wake up super early to work out. I never judge other people that are there!
Gretchen recently posted…Wednesday Reviews : Skinny Coconut Oil
Well thank you! I need some routine for mental sanity too. Good to know that not everyone is judging because I totally get self-conscious when I’m at the market in the middle of the day ha.
I am a total PLANNER and have my schedule, but I am getting better at just going with the flow…baby steps though! During the week, I find that structure helps me stick to my plan of attack to get through my work and my workouts, but on the weekend I need to switch gears and just let it all fall into place instead of planning all the time. Happy Hump Day!
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…Food TALK
I’m the same way with the week vs. weekend routine. Weekends are much more relaxed because everyone is in “chill mode” too.
Love that idea of stuffed spaghetti squash,They both look so good! I love structure and like to know exactly what I am going to do that day before I even get out of bed which isn’t always the best thing when things don’t go as planned haha.
rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Chia Seed Jam {Vegan + Paleo}
Yes a lot of the time things don’t go exactly as planned for me either. It’s the intention that matters in this case…and learning to roll with the punches!
I definitely like spontaneity! And I also like reading what peoples’ days look like :) It’s so interesting to me!
I find it interesting too! I need to figure out how to balance spontaneity with productivity.
At least I’ve already started to solidify my new routine for this semester! I know that once I really get in the groove though, it will be changing again with winter break and then a new semester! Ah! So trying to “go with the flow” a bit more :P
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Healing Indian Eggplant Hummus
I totally understand that! The first few weeks are tough and then once you get into a routine, you’re forced to change. I guess that’s good in the big scheme :)
I love/need structure during the weekdays to keep me sane and focused. But on the weekends I prefer more spontaneity.
Nanny-ing sounds like a cool little part time gig!
Megan recently posted…Five Things
I agree! Weekends are definitely more relaxed with schedules.
Ahhh…I did a LOT of nannying in college and while I was looking for a job after– great way to make money and it’s always fun to hang out with kids. ;-) We’re having spaghetti squash enchiladas tonight and your pic just got me really excited for them. LOVEEEE me some ss! Have a great day!
Mollie Sweet recently posted…Pregnancy Workouts and Miles-Week 28
I’m so grateful to have this little side gig! I don’t talk about it a lot for privacy/courtesy reasons, but I love the family. Oh that sounds like an awesome dinner!
Campaign stories on twitter are always crazy and a bit O_O. It looks like you have full days; you are pretty disciplined at going to bed early. Sometimes I really enjoy eating leftovers for breakfast too! Are you more of a sweet or a savory gal?
Emily recently posted…WIAW: Count Blessings Over Calories
Definitely savory as of late!
I usually prefer structure in my schedule, but am occasionally down for spontaneity if I’m in the mood. I love eating breakfast and watching the news/catching up on blogs too. It’s probably my favorite part of the day.
Patricia @Sweet and Strong recently posted…Broccoli Slaw with Apples and Greek Yogurt Dressing
Mine too! Even if I have to be somewhere early, I wake up with enough time to eat breakfast at leisure.
I love Day in the Life posts so much! I’m weird and just think they’re interesting and I love seeing people’s day to day schedules haha. I like having a little bit of structure for each week day!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…6 things I wish I knew before hiking my first 14er
Don’t worry, I like them too :)
I definitely need structure… or else I go a little crazy! When I was job hunting having fitness classes to go to or setting up meetings and coffee dates with people really helped… just to give me better motivation to schedule things. Good luck on the continued job hunt!
Danielle @ Wild Coast Tales recently posted…My Vancouver #9: Hiking Dam Mountain & Thunderbird Ridge {in photos}
That’s exactly how I feel! Small activities (like fitness classes or appointments) help me plan out the rest of my day and definitely increase overall productivity.
i sorta NEED structure but i truly LONG for spontaneity.
That sums up my feelings too!
I gotta incorporate spaghetti squash into the routine again!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks recently posted…10 of the Easiest, Quickest (and Healthiest!) Breakfast Ideas
I don’t love it plain, so adding a sauce (or lots of toppings) is necessary!
Oh girl I always feel like such a granny with how much I love the news and the Today show! LOL
Kaila @ Healthy Helper Blog recently posted…Currently: Friday Favorites [+ Nakd Bar Giveaway]
Dream job: host the Today show. Not in the realm of foreseeable possibilities so I’d settle for meeting the hosts!
I didn’t watch the debate, but I read all about it on social media too! I think it’s more entertaining anyway ;)
Edye recently posted…Humble Yourself.
I ended up rewinding a lot of the debate to re-watch because I got distracted on Twitter.
I love these kinds of posts! I am definitely one for structure or else I am SO unproductive… I’ll just sit around and read blogs/books/tell myself that everything else can wait for tomorrow if I don’t have a plan to push me :P
Claire @ My Pink & Green Life recently posted…Reflections on Loss
I can easily get like that too! Pretty much all day yesterday :)