It’s been almost a year since our world turned upside down, and we are all chomping at the bit to resume our normal life. Personally I spend an inordinate amount of time daydreaming about travel, dinner dates with friends, and of going out if for no other reason than to just go out. It’s been a long road, and thankfully there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
As with all challenges in life, it’s good to focus on what you’ve learned along the way, and just like I focused on small joys at Christmas with Benny & Co., I have regularly embraced five simple pleasures in the last year that have made all the difference. They have become such an ingrained part of my life, I know for certain that I’ll never let them go even when life returns to normal.
Books
Maybe it’s because I remember what life was like before the Internet, I remember what it was like to have attention span. Like many people, my attention has been reduced to that of a goldfish over the years. If it wasn’t the length of a tweet, or in a 30 second video my interest waned. The pandemic reminded me of my love for reading and of the simple pleasure of losing yourself in a good book. As an added bonus, my attention span has returned to pre 1985 levels.
Treating Myself with Take Out
When I was a child, dining out or ordering in was a BIG DEAL and it always felt like a celebration. As an adult, I took it for granted, that is until the pandemic. Now, ordering in has become a treat again, an instant mood lifter I can tap into any day of the week I need it.
My favourite restaurant to order in from is Benny&Co., because I know the meal will ALWAYS be delicious and that I’m supporting a great local Canadian company. Benny&Co. understands that ordering in should feel special and so for a limited time they are sharing the #treatyourself menu from now until March 31st. Spoil yourself all week if you feel like it with a specially priced menu option each day of the week. This week I decided Monday needed a little upgrading and ordered in their delicious chicken wrap which paired perfectly with Bridgerton, and the warm soup that came with it was just what a snowy day in Ottawa called for.
Gardening
Pre-pandemic, I used to joke that I couldn’t keep plastic plants alive. Now, I secretly harbour dreams of taking up farming and living off the land. What can say, I’m a regular Farmer Jane now.
Maybe Benny&Co. can take some of my tomatoes off my hands for their incredible garden salads? (Pssst! The #treatyourself deal on Wednesday btw)
Dogs
Bottom line? We don’t deserve dogs but thankfully they stick around anyway. Dolly Pawton has been the perfect addition to the family this year. There may be some separation anxiety when life returns to normal but I’m sure I’ll get over it.
Life in the Slow Lane
The name of the game pre-pandemic was GO! GO! GO! and I’ve gotta tell you, I am finding pleasure in SLOW! SLOW! SLOW!. Life isn’t supposed to be a frenetic sprint, so whether it’s taking an hour to read a book, enjoying a take out meal while watching Bridgerton, or going for a long leisurely walk with Dolly, I’ve come to appreciate that the slow lane is a much better pace.
What simple pleasures have you found over the last year that you’ll now hold onto once life returns to normal?
Benny&Co. wants to help you treat yourself, and as a way for Ottawa residents to get to know their family better, I’ve partnered with them to give away a $80 Benny&Co. gift certificate. Simply head on over to my LifeinPleasantville Instagram between March 1st and 8th 2020 to enter. For an extra entry, drop a comment below sharing what simple pleasure you’ll keep even when life returns to normal. Good luck!
This post is sponsored by Benny&Co. as part of their #treatyourself celebrations for the month of March.
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Love Benny & Co. it reminds me of my childhood, it was the treat you had when you had a good report card.
Nothing like a quarter chicken dinner in the winter to warm up