The Gift of an Extra Hour

What will you do with yours?

My extra hour was spent at the beach

Dear friend

How are you feeling on this rather fine Sunday? Hope you’re taking it easy, not like me. I think I peaked too soon. Keen to not waste my extra hour, I was up bright as a button, walked the Ridgebacks at my favourite beach, washed the car, took four huge sacks of dog food up to the loft, did the laundry, mopped the floor, packed my bag for my trip to North Wales tomorrow, emptied my inbox, cleaned the bathroom and now I’m feeling pretty exhausted, day dreaming about what to write.

I don’t know about you, but have you noticed that your Substack feed is filled with people relentlessly highlighting how many new subscribers they now have, what they have earned this month through paid subscriptions and that more and more celebrities are taking over Substack stage. Yawn! I must say, and apologise in advance for my little rant, but I’m finding it all pretty boring to read. To be honest, it left me feeling a tad deflated. Ideally I’d like to not feel like I’m in some sort of Substack popularity contest. I enjoy this platform because of the opportunity to write, ramble and read fascinating and interesting stories, written by general folk, from all corners of the world. I actually couldn’t read my Substack feed earlier, so I shut my laptop and sighed.

What about you?

Have you been feeling the same about Substack?

Or is your Substack feed buzzing with positivity? Please tell me how I can limit the amount of crazy competitor themed topics on my substack feed.

For this weeks ‘Sunday WORD:ship’, I thought it would be lush if I curated 50 Soul Nourishing Ideas of what to do with the extra hour we’ve been gifted today.

Of course for me top of my list was to head to the beach, grab a coffee and journal.

Let me know what you have done or have planned for your extra hour, or if you decide to choose something from the list below…

Mindful Moments

1. Create a gratitude map - draw a circle in the middle of a page with "Thank You" and let appreciation flow outward in sub-headings.

2. Practice mindful tea meditation - prepare and sip your favourite tea while focusing only on the sensations. Or coffee if you’d prefer.

3. Write a letter to your future self in your journal about your current dreams and hopes.

4. Create a comfort box filled with items that soothe your senses.

5. Sit by a window and daydream, then notice what you observe changing with the season.

Creative Expression

6. Start a watercolour journal. Even simple colour washes can be meditative or a splash of paint across the front of your journal - go wild!

7. Write a six word story about where you are in life right now.

8. Create a playlist that captures your current emotional mood.

9. Take photos of ordinary objects around your home.

10. Design a postcard and send it to a friend.

Physical Wellness

11. Try a gentle evening yoga ‘stretch to sleep’ movement.

12. Take a candlelit bath with essential oils and Epsom salts.

13. Practice mindful breathing.

14. Take a slow, meditative walk in the countryside.

15. Consider habit stacking for the week ahead. For example journal for 2 minutes after you’ve brushed your teeth for the next 7 days.

Space & Environment

16. Create a small sacred corner in your home with your favourite stationery and candle.

17. Reorganise one drawer with mindful intention.

18. Plant some indoor herbs or tend to existing plants.

19. Create a cosy reading nook with blankets and soft lighting.

20. Clear your bedside table and leave just one book on it to read this evening, remove your TBR stack.

Connection & Communication

21. Write a heartfelt a letter to an elderly relative.

22. Record voice messages for loved ones sharing a recent memory.

23. Start a ‘tiny stories’ journal about meaningful encounters.

24. Write down family recipes including any photographs or cut outs.

25. Create a map of your life's pivotal moments.

Personal Growth

26. Research a topic you've always been curious about.

27. Start learning basic phrases in a new language.

28. Create a vision board using old magazines.

29. Write down your personal manifesto.

30. Design your ideal daily routine without constraints.

Emotional Wellbeing

31. ‘Rage on a Page’ in your journal. Start by writing down what you didn’t say out loud last week.

32. Make a list of 100 things that bring you joy.

33. Write about a challenge you've overcome and what it taught you.

34. Create a self-care menu for different emotional states.

35. Draw or write about your perfect day.

Creative Planning

36. Brainstorm 10 tiny adventures you could have before Christmas

37. Create a bucket list specifically for this season.

38. Design a personal project that excites you.

39. Map out the story of a dream you'd like to pursue.

40. Create a list of "Things to Look Forward To in 2025".

Spiritual Connection

41. Write intentions for people you care about.

42. Create a ritual for releasing what no longer serves you.

43. Practice mindful breathing while holding a cherished object.

44. Write about what you’d like to manifest this week.

45. Create a gratitude alphabet (A-Z of thankfulness).

Legacy & Reflection

46. Begin writing your life story in tiny chapters.

47. Create a wisdom book of lessons you've learned.

48. Write letters to younger versions of yourself.

49. Document family stories.

50. Create a time capsule of current thoughts and dreams.

Until the next time

Take care and stay safe xx

My happy place

About me… I’m Tanya Lynch, a mother, a ridgeback owner and the founder of Ease Retreats.  I love what I do, collaborating with authors and creatives, hosting retreats in beautiful venues across the UK.  I’m also a podcaster, a therapeutic journaling coach and through my program Rage on a Page, I help midlife women channel their emotions into something more positive and creative in less than 60 days. Each Thursday I host an online journaling club called Journal with Ease and it’s free for paid subscribers to attend. If you have any questions about the benefits of therapeutic journaling, please reach out and connect. I’m usually on a beach walking the dogs, hosting retreats or hanging out in a bookshop.