Have to add a bit of leisure to our lives. Leisure Challenge quilt block from the Live Well Live Strong Quilt available exclusively at Stitches Quilting

Leisure Quilt Block – Live Well Live Strong Quilt

Leisure gives our bodies a reboot of energy to clearly focus on what we truly need.

How could leisure spark joy in your life? Let’s talk about it!

The Leisure Quilt Block is the second week on our Live Well Live Strong Quilt Sew Along! It is so exciting to finally be here with all of you on this journey! I loved designing the leisure quilt block to be a pinwheel quilt block! I think its perfect! Do you have memories as a child blowing into a pinwheel? How did you feel? I felt amazement and joy! But… I can’t say I’ve picked up many pinwheels as an adult to amuse me.

Leisure can be an energy source in our lives! Yes really Leisure! Have you ever gone on a vacation and returned home invigorated ready to live life to its fullest? Well don’t deprive yourself of the mini reboot that small amounts of leisure can provide.

How do you picture leisure as a child? I picture myself swinging on a swing with pig tails in my hair. I can feel the wind blowing through my hair rocking back and forth in the swing to maintain momentum. It feels wonderful… I can imagine myself jumping off the swing running with enthusiasm to my next adventure. How do you picture Leisure as a child?

I don’t have a picture of me swinging but here is a picture with my childhood enthusiasm on a chimney.

Think back to what you enjoyed as a child. What are some Leisure activities you can enjoy now? You know… I might be carpooling kids around but have a quiet moment in my car to enjoy a game of solitaire on my phone. Do I savor that moment of solitaire as leisure? Maybe or maybe not. There are different types of leisure. Active versus Passive leisure, such as I could take a walk in my neighborhood or read a book. Social or solo leisure might look like attending a quilt guild meeting or quilting at home. There are many types of leisure… more than just going on a vacation. So let’s indulge in mini reboots of leisure to energize ourselves.

Use this worksheet to provoke thoughts…. On the Leisure Worksheet, scribble on the quilt block triangles leisurely activities you would like to do. Then on the gray scaled square, scribble things that are barriers and interfere with leisure. This is your personal worksheet… No comparisons to anyone else. This is about you and me helping to become our best selves. Then on the side of the worksheet write thoughts about how adequate leisure will spark joy in your life.

I’m a really hard worker and love to work. I get joy from it. A barrier for me to feel leisure is that I’m being lazy! Okay, Deanna! What can I do about that? I know it exists right? Well I can funnel into my brain positive self talk that says, “Deanna you deserve a break and need to experience leisure today.” There are benefits of leisure like decreased anxiety, calm countenance and wellness. Nourishment of self is one of the best preventive medicines.

But let’s remember that the word leisure is a NOUN. It is a state of being. Do you sometimes do something that could be categorized as leisure but don’t give yourself permission to enter that leisure state? I do and you know I’m missing out BIG TIME!

Leisure Possible Challenges could include:

1. 10 minutes each day for Leisure

1. Choose a Leisure state of mind

1. Plan mini boots of leisure as an energy source

1. Plan a leisure activity in your week

Include active leisure in your week
Plan a vacation or day activity
Plan you own personal challenge

Or customize your own personal challenge. Let’s not overwhelm ourselves. Take tiny steps towards a good thing and reward yourself with a quiet moment closing your eyes to feel good about yourself including your body & mind.

Share a photo of your completed Leisure Quilt Block on Facebook or Instagram. And if you feel comfortable share a photo that represents a positive step in a Leisure Challenge. Let’s inspire each other! You have seen lots of my social media posts this week of enjoying time with my new grand daughter. Oh my… leisure and I have become good friends.

Remember this is just about you and all of us possibly lifting each other to a better space. AND…. the Live Well Live Strong Quilt is not about being negative. Be kind and positive with yourself. Be as generous to yourself. Share your thoughts! Remember this week that Leisure is the opposite of excessive seriousness!

Next week’s block is all about Mindful! If you haven’t yet, purchase your Live Well Live Strong Quilt Pattern!