Walk it out.

So, like most busy women, I need an outlet at the end of the day. I'd like to say I walk for exercise (which coincidentally it happens to be excellent exercise!) but I really do it for sanity.

Don't get me wrong, I love every.single.thing about my life. I love my family, my home, my dog, my work. I love all the aspects of it. I love the chaos of having a home full of children and a big goofy dog. When it's under control, I even like housework. All of these things contribute to my over-all well being and generally sunny attitude.

But at the end of the day, I need a little diversion of sorts. I need a few moments of not being needed. A few blissful moments of only being responsible for myself. I don't feel guilty about it at all. My husband gets up at an insane hour in the morning so he can create that same feeling for himself. I have friends that workout like mad for that feeling, some who go shopping, and some who take a bubble bath and go to bed early. Most of us also will indulge in a glass of wine from time to time. All of those things can be nice, and I like them too - but I get restless in a bubble bath, thinking I should do something productive. When I workout, I need to pay attention so hard that I cannot let my mind wander. Shopping is not a good form of diversion for me, as I don't like to part with my pennies... I do like to shop, but thrift stores are my thing, and my favorite ones are not open in the evenings anyways.

For me, nothing beats a good long walk. There is so much about it that I love. I get that peaceful feeling. I don't feel guilty at all because I am being productive, I'm being good to my body. I'm not spending any money. My husband and kids get a break from me and can do their own things without my hovering and getting in the way or unnecessarily worrying (often out loud) if an activity is safe and / or too messy. I come back refreshed and ready to tackle the bedtime routines and evening clean up before settling in with my hubby for some tv time.

My mind is free to meander just like my feet. I only have to pay attention to where I am and stay as safe as possible... I live in a neighborhood of great sidewalks, and good well-lit streets that are full of people.

I also love strapping on the headphones and the old-school iPod shuffle (yeppers!) and allowing the music to overtake my racing mind. I have a really eclectic taste in music, I currently have Marylin Manson, Allison Kraus, Tragically Hip, Metallica, Enya, Madonna and Gordon Lightfoot all happily co-existing on my music player.

If you want to be truly and totally frugal, you could skip the iPod and just sing. I've resorted to that before. Beware, you will get a lot of attention and bemused smiles from strangers.

Happy Trails friends!