So, as I’ve mentioned a few times, I have some time off between the end of my last job (which wrapped up right before we went to Egypt) and the start of my new job (in 2 weeks.) The first two weeks of this time off I spent glued to the couch, battling the great non-swine-flu of 09. But I am finally feeling better, and the weather is gorgeous, and now I’m…well, I’m a little bored, truth be told.
I don’t do well with unstructured time, you see. I begin to feel guilty for not being “productive”. I worry that I’m not doing it “right”. For example: I love to go to movies by myself, I love to sew and have plenty of projects pending, and I love to cook elaborate meals without time pressure. There, that’s all my time filled up right there, right? Well yes, except it’s shaping up to be a gorgeous week in Chicago, and it feels like such a WASTE to be sitting inside watching movies, sewing, or cooking.
So I think I’ve got today covered: I’m going to go for a super long bike ride, followed by reading a book on the beach, followed by some very necessary grocery shopping. But I’m looking for more inspiration. Having a few weeks off is such a luxury and a rarity, I really want to take advantage, but I’m a little short on ideas of things to do solo, in the middle of a weekday, without spending too much money. Help me! If you had a day or a week or a month off, what would you do?
Go to the art institute on their free day, walk around millenium park when it is not packed.
Pick a neighborhood that you like or want to explore and just wander.
How about a walking tour? Doesn’t the Architecture Society or someone do them in the city? I don’t think they are too pricey.
I’m the wrong person to ask because I would love a few days to just lounge around the house, even though it is so nice out!
Doesn’t the Chicago Art Institute (or whatever it’s called) have free admission on Tuesdays? That place is awesome. And go up to Vosges and sample their delicious chocolate. And don’t beat yourself up about the lovely indoor things you want to do.
I am like you; I took two weeks off between my last job and grad school and felt guilty the whole damn time. Gah.
Hit the art museums! Go for long walks that have no point whatsoever. I wish I had done more of that.
I say there’s nothing wrong with spending some quality time inside. Why not do inside stuff in the morning and outside stuff in the afternoon, when the weather is at its peak? Also, why not commit to training for a 15K with me! =) And if none of that will do, you should check out the Chicago Reader’s blog … it’s all about Free Shit, quite literally.
http://www.chicagoreader.com/TheBlog/archives/free-shit/
hmm. i’m pretty sure i’d do a Whole Lotta Nothing with time off, except i wouldn’t even feel very guilty about it. how about sewing, but outside? like at a cafe drinking yummy things?
I always have grand expectations of what I will do with my time off. I make lists of all the things I want to accomplish. Sadly, I usually end up doing only half of it, and end up reading blogs the rest of the time. But boy, does it feel good.
Enjoy your time off!!!