Sunday > Saturday

It's a beautiful, sunny Sunday evening, and I'm ready to write. My friend's birthday festivities kept me up until after 3 am last night, so my brain is a little addled. Consider that fair warning for what appears below.

This morning, my sister and I took a long leisurely stroll through the South End, down endless tree-lined streets with row after row of warm brick townhouses. We stopped in the Appleton Bakery & Cafe, a cozy spot with delicious bagels, muffins, including a chocolate chip / peanut butter treat that I might have to try on a return visit. The bakery has cool lime green walls, brick, and customers who casually chat with one another, giving the place a friendly, neighborhood-y vibe.

As we continued along on our adventure, we meandered through little parks filled with giggling children and passed the beautiful people sitting at small Parisian tables outside cafes. We stumbled upon a church that had a raucous choir singing the most soulful and rockin' melodies, and stood outside for a few minutes, captivated by their energy.

That's a Sunday for you, folks. No set schedule, exploring an unfamiliar neighborhood, and good company are the perfect recipe. I don't stress out about the coming week (mostly because I'm fortunate enough to have a job I love) and I don't worry about things I have to do. I'm happy to include friends who are of a similar mindset and who won't interrupt the Sunday peace with their own stress. Other friends can wait until Monday.

At this point, I think I'm ready to explain why it's a Sunday kind of life, and not a Saturday kind of life. think it's rooted in my childhood, when Saturdays were devoted to softball games, volleyball practices, Bar Mitzvahs, homework, and other activities that belong on a to-do list or a schedule. I felt like my Saturdays belonged to other people. Saturdays in my adult life are less stressful, but still include doing laundry, going grocery shopping, going to the gym, catching up with friends, and running errands. I've made an effort to get everything done on Saturday so I can really enjoy Sundays. They're my selfish days. There's nothing I "have" to do. I just let the day unfold and try my hardest not to make a schedule (coming from the most serious overscheduler, that's a big deal). Sundays are the one day a week when I can really recharge. I've already done everything I need to do to start the week, so I can just enjoy. Sometimes that means turning off my phone, unplugging my laptop, and having an alone day. Other Sundays are perfect for exploring new neighborhoods with a pal or two, scoping out new cafes, and lusting after clothes that cost more than my monthly rent.

It takes some practice to take that Sunday mindset and make it last throughout the week. It's small moments that make the biggest difference. After an exhausting day trip yesterday, my friend and I decided to treat ourselves to fresh fruit from Whole Foods. If you've ever bought produce at Shaw's, you can understand our utter elation at our feast. My nectarine made me swoon, and I still have a whole cantaloupe waiting in my fruit bowl. Moral of the story: Life is good. It's just a matter of appreciating the little things. It's about noticing the ornate antique door of an apartment, or enjoying the first real tomato of the summer.

Zest for life, people. Zest. I think I'm going to start peppering my sentences with the word zest because it just makes me feel...alive! (Okay, and completely dorky.) In college, one of my friends received an email from someone who closed her messages with the phrase "Have a lemon zesty day!" We endlessly made fun of the poor unsuspecting prospective freshman, but looking back, I think she unknowingly had a happier and healthier approach to life than the rest of usdid/do. So, lemon zest girl, props to you. Who knew that a 17 year old could be so very wise?

May you all have a lemon zesty day.

Okay, now that I've seen it in writing again, I'm remembering why we mocked it. I don't wish for any of you to be ridiculed, so I don't recommend closing your correspondence with that phrase, but I do think we could all use a little lemon zest.

Let's just take a moment to appreciate that it's still light out at 6:40. Heavenly.