It's not glamorous, but it's my own day
5:00 AM. It's still dark outside, and it's cold.
I manage to wake up while looking at my smartphone. The futon is so fluffy that getting up is a struggle.
I immediately open YouTube on the TV to do yoga and facial exercises.
My body gradually wakes up, and I enter activity mode.
After that, I boil water and make some hot water to drink.
While drinking it, I note down the time I woke up in my planner.
Then, I slowly start drafting a note.
I find I can write with a fresher perspective if I do it first thing in the morning.
🍞
I prepare my bento at 6:00 and have breakfast.
After that, I do some creative work.
This is when I get my brain moving. Using coffee as fuel, I give it one more push.
I flesh out my note articles or finalize illustrations.
It's getting bright outside, making it easier to concentrate.
The real pleasure is creating while bathed in sunlight.
🕗
And then, around 8:00.
I need to start getting ready for work.
Thinking, "I want to keep going..." I sluggishly get changed.
🚲
I ride my bike through the cold wind and arrive at work at 9:00.
It's a factory job with no glamour, but for some reason, it's calming.
Since I only need to use my hands, I can think of endless ideas for my creative work. But it takes physical strength, and my hands get covered in machine oil.
Reality is plain. But I'm always in creative mode.
🏠
It's 5:30 PM after a hard day's work.
I head straight home without stopping anywhere.
I wash my hands, change into loungewear, and immediately start preparing dinner.
Since I'm the only one eating, I don't make anything elaborate.
Some days it's just vegetable miso soup and rice with natto.
🧼
I've finished cleaning up after dinner.
I allow myself to mindlessly scroll on my phone only at this time, so I look at it to my heart's content.
As it nears 7:00 PM, I slowly start preparing for my evening activities.
I brew a warm drink.
Usually, it's rooibos tea. When I want to put in a little extra effort, I have Muji's apple cinnamon latte.
Just preparing my companion drink flips a switch.
During this time, I move my hands rather than think.
Since my brain is tired from work, I do tasks I can handle intuitively, like continuing my note or finalizing illustrations.
I play some night jazz on YouTube and proceed at a relaxed pace. The feeling of relaxing while creating is different from the morning and feels calm.
🛀
It's 8:00 PM, and I still have the urge to work.
If I continue late, it will be harder to fall asleep, so I force myself to stop here and take a bath.
I'm fond of herbal bath salts (Bub).
The refreshing scent soothes the day's fatigue.
I vaguely think, "I did my best today too."
🛏️
It's 9:00 PM, I've finished my bath and gotten ready for bed.
I open my planner to reflect on the day.
Since there isn't much to write, I just jot it down quickly like a memo and finish. I spend the rest of the time relaxing until I get sleepy.
Looking at this, it might seem like the "day of a proper person."
But I only started living like this recently.
A few years ago, staying up late and sleeping in was the norm.
Through trial and error, this lifestyle became the most comfortable for me.
Thanks to this life, I can end my day in a good mood.
Waking up with the sunrise and sleeping with the sunset.
By returning to the basics of a living creature, I am reclaiming myself.
Writing Club '#30DayWritingProgram'
Day 5: I'd like to know your daily time schedule