Sunday Session

There's Magic in the Mundane

Hi. Remember me? Yeah, it’s been a while. But while I sit on my balcony basking in the sunlight, I thought there’s no better time than the present to offer unsolicited advice. Unpopular opinion — that’s sometimes the best kind.

You see, as an extroverted human being who is either blasting music in her ears, phoning a friend for a life update, or enthralled in deep conversation no matter the topic, I find it hard to sit in stillness. Alone. With only my thoughts to keep me company. But at 27 (and a half), I thought it’s about time I learn how to self-soothe and take heed of the mindfield that is my brain on quieter days. I know right. I can’t believe I have to manage my OWN emotions all by my SELF. Adulthood huh? But alas, the approach I’m taking today is to offer some trialled and tested advice from one over-stimulated extrovert to the next.

What prompted this is a thread of text messages I had with my close friend back home in Brisbane. She texted me to say she was grabbing a coffee from our regular cafe, and that she wishes I were with her, before closing with “How has your weekend been?”. This text couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. You see, it was a slower morning than I’m used to, but I decided to peel myself out of bed and take to Chapel Street for a morning coffee. With nothing in particular to do, I went for a stroll, peeking into every deli-style store I crossed (my favourite kind of store), and floating through the Prahran Markets eyeing the locally grown produce, fresh bunches of blooms, and four-legged friends itching for a pat. I remained present and took it all in.

Just like our kind (the extrovert kind) can feel on top of the world with company by our side, in turn, we tend to feel their absence that little bit more. A bit of a double-edged sword.

So, I pulled myself out of my silly state and played my favourite musical soundtrack (currently, It’s The Greatest Showman) — a method that never lets me down. It was about lunchtime by the time I got home, so with my AirPods on full blast, I fired up the stove and reminded myself that the world is not ending, and maybe this ‘Sunday Scaries’ thing has some merit to it. I’m of the thought that there is magic in the mundane. You just have to create it. And what I’ve also learnt is that the sillier you feel, the more magical the moment. Dance in the kitchen, dress up for no one, and use the special glass (I’m aware how cringey this sounds, but I stand by it nonetheless!).

If, like me, your brain really doesn’t quit, but you don’t feel like spending your weekly wage on an expensive hobby, the internet is your best friend. I’ve put my intrusive questioning and deep-thinking thoughts to good use by fashioning a 50-pack card game filled with hard-hitters that’ll have you dissecting for days. Now I just have to figure out what to do with them.

Until next time. x