If you had a totally open day, every day, what 4 or 5 things would you fill it with?

Daily | August 26th, 2008 by Danielle LaPorte

A good life is based on good habits. It really is that simple. And who better to inspire us to cultivate what works than ZenHabits creator, Leo Babauta? He’s the great mindfulness behind today’s Daily Q&A.

Carrie says: A day filled with moving, creating, connecting, eating and solitude is my bliss. A run at dawn, Earl Grey tea, a rich conversation, treasure hunting and quiet appreciation.

Danielle says:

Creativity: I write to feel connected to life. Take a picture. Make a card. Change up art objects on the fireplace mantle.
Strategy: deeply, madly relish the sweat and intellect (sweatillect?) it takes to create a thriving business.
Reflection: spiritual text, including poetry. Some fire breathing. Hot baths. Drive home without the stereo cranked.
Affection: verbal and physical - this includes smiling eye contact with strangers.
Sexy-love-fun-joy-generating: dancing, bad jokes, general debauchery and loudness in my home.

(Note to self: must create more of #3 and #5.)

Leo says: This is an easy one for me, because I’ve identified the Essential Things in my life, and built my life around them: writing, reading, running and spending time with my family (not in that order). Every day, I do all four of these things, and they take up a majority of my day. I’ve slowly simplified my life to make room for these Essential Things by eliminating everything that’s not on my list. That’s taken a couple years to achieve, but now I live a simple life filled with the things I love!

Get Zen-inspired on today’s blog: Read our interview with Zenhabits’ Leo Babauta, and Danielle’s Pleasure Priorities.

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Tara 08/26/2008 03:52 AM 1 point
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I love my job, so I'd still go to work. I'd cook something fabulous for dinner, potter around the garden, watch a movie & go for a ride with the kids. Actually, nearly a normal day - without the shitty housework!

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Joannie 08/26/2008 05:41 AM 1 point
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I would walk by the river just as the sun is coming up. I would write in the morning, read in the afternoon, visit with family or friends off and on throughout the day, meditate in the evening.

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Julia 08/26/2008 06:18 AM 1 point
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I would get up early, breathe, drink coffee and take my dogs out for a long walk. I would pray, write in my journal (yellow legal pad)and watch bad morning TV for just a bit. I would try a class at the gym, if I can remember how to get there!!!

I would get a massage, maybe have my nails done. Meet a friend for lunch and try some "little plates". Then I'd go home for a nap with the canines. Later I would read...and then make someone play Scrabble with me....cook something I've never tried for dinner....watch a movie and go to bed on clean, fresh sheets. I may stay home today. It's raining like an ark's being built!!!!

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Julia 08/26/2008 06:20 AM 1 point
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Tara, my goal is to love my job so much that I'd still go to work on an off day! What do you do, if I may ask?

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Crys 08/26/2008 06:33 AM 1 point
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time with the kids playing, reading a good book ( or 2), a long walk, and making a wonderful dinner made of FRESH ingredients ( something with a sauce - I love saucy meals)....

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Ella 08/26/2008 06:38 AM 1 point
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Create (food, art, writing), ingest (food, art, literature, film, air), move, love, appreciate.

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http://www.thenewisthetrue.blogspot.com

Chantal 08/26/2008 07:35 AM 1 point
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Loving - seeing, honoring, sharing and appreciating.
Dreaming including visualizing, imagining, creating and painting.
Creating and connecting with my heart, hands, eyes and mind.
Laughing, hiking, shopping, being naughty, and creating beauty!

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http://www.chantalmonte.com

Jennifer 08/26/2008 07:42 AM 1 point
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i would walk though the city and let the day unfold for me. i would make detours for yoga class, a coffee and pastry, bookstore browsing a movie and a simple yummy meal. i would have no companionship save for my mind.

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Jennifer 08/26/2008 07:44 AM 1 point
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wait, i like YOUR day. napping! yes, napping!

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Julia 08/26/2008 07:51 AM 1 point
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I think we're gonna need two days. Yours sounds very inviting!!!

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Jennifer 08/26/2008 08:06 AM 1 point
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SOLD! two days!

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Kristin (The Goat) 08/26/2008 08:30 AM 1 point
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Saucy meals are the best!

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http://www.ttelroc.blogspot.com

Wazzy 08/26/2008 08:44 AM 1 point
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Reading, walking, napping, drinking a nice latte, and hanging out with my nieces and nephews.

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Kirsty 08/26/2008 08:46 AM 1 point
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OH...I've thought about this before...I think I'm a lucky lass as my mornings actually roll out as dreamed!

MORNING:
I’d have a small breakie of all bran with almond milk before going on a 10-km run through a park or along a trail. I’d be listening to a new playlist on my own iPod. After a coldish-shower with yummy soaps, body scrub and face wash with cream, I’d dress in a favourite outfit!

AFTERNOON
I’d spend the next few hours writing without disturbance. For work. Maybe it’s an article on Mexico and my Kundalini experience. Meet the girls for a late lunch. We gab and sip wine. I check voicemail and reply to a couple work-related writing queries.

NIGHT
It’s a massage at 7:00 p.m. and then a nutritious homemade dinner with Drew. The stereo rotates some great tunes. Crosswords before bed.

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http://www.sarniabricks.wordpress.com

Brenda 08/26/2008 08:46 AM 1 point
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7:00 - Play tennis.
9:00 - Have the children's portion of pancakes and bacon at Cracker
Barrel in Fishkill, NY.
11:00 - Ride the Metro North train down to NYC for a matinee.
3:00 - Discovery walk around the City before getting back on the
train.
7:00 - Treat myself to a chicken parm dinner at Copolla's Italian
restaurant in Hyde Park, NY, as I work to develop marketing
"packages" that will get my customers really excited.

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http://www.signatureperformance.net

Missy 08/26/2008 08:48 AM 1 point
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I would fill my morning on a rainy day with making love under silk sheets, stay in bed and snuggle, and talk about far away places to travel Go for a mountain bike ride with music in my ears on the trails looking at the beauty of our rain forests overlooking the city below. Then home to open a bottle of red wine and share making dinner with friends. Finish the day off with crawling back into bed and making love...ok maybe sex! heehee

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Cecile 08/26/2008 09:00 AM 1 point
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BONJOUR MES AMIS!!

Ahhhhh... 24 hurs to fulfill my interests... How wonderful is that thought!!! It's like a waterfall appealing to all my senses full of possibilities...

I would start my day with meditation, and prayer soft music and a soft candle lit to start my day communing with my Higher Being... which I do today.

Secondly I would head to a Yoga class to limber and "treat" my body...

Following the class I would pursue my dream of being cardio fir, and really go for a run...

Tend to my dwelling would be next... Make my surroundings absolutely divine, and allow creativity into this sanctuary by lighting my candles, and playing my soft music.

My creativity still in place: I would pursue my three passions: writing, designing and sewing and painting... All three... Love them... and to treat myself I would entertain a few friends if it happens to be Saturday!!!

Oh, glory! What a great way to spend time!!!!

Bisous,

Cécile

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Crys 08/26/2008 09:02 AM 1 point
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I'm canning tomato sauce tommorrow:) I just LOVE FRESH food!!!

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Ginger 08/26/2008 09:29 AM 1 point
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1. Slow breakfast, coffee, reading (in my NY loft...I dream of being back there)
2. Trip to spa for facial and massage
3. Shopping at little unique home and/or paper stores on walk to...
4. Art Museum...home to change for a nice...
5. dinner with a good friend at a resturaunt with a great atmosphere and good service (pomegrante margaritas, perfectly coooked steak...and why not a great chocolate dessert (it is my perfect day...so no weight gain.....)

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Katasha 08/26/2008 09:31 AM 1 point
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I would sleepin in late everyday, as I get my best work done at night. I would my afternoons with client and vendor appointments, networking and meet and greet lunches. I would spend the evenings with the one I love doing whatever we think is fun at the moment and then I would start doing work on my biz, probably until like 2 in the morning.

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http://www.theweddingworkroom.com

Kathleen 08/26/2008 09:38 AM 1 point
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Take a long, mindful walk, write, cook a delicious meal, connect with my husband and daughter, read.

As it happens, I am mostly free today. I guess I know what to do!

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Linda Borland-Fitzgerald 08/26/2008 09:43 AM 1 point
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ahhhhhhhhh... perfect

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1 /people/writer11/ /people/writer11/following/ http://www.simplybeach.ca

Daily

If you had a totally open day, every day, what 4 or 5 things would you fill it with?

A good life is based on good habits. It really is that simple. And who better to inspire us to cultivate what works than ZenHabits creator, Leo Babauta? He’s the great mindfulness behind today’s Daily Q&A.

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