Today was lovely.
Sometimes we only think of good days when they have passed, but it’s important to sit in these kinds of days and just enjoy the present. Not just the present experience of the day itself either, but the present emotions too.
I woke up today at around half past 8. I made a decaf coffee and sat at my computer and finalised a factsheet I’ve been working on. This work has been shrouded in negativity, because I’ve been procrastinating too much while working on it. So to finally have finished is a refreshing relief and lifts some of that negative dust as it turns from a ‘to do’ to an achievement.
At quarter past 9 I headed for a day out with my parents. I can’t remember why, but on the drive, I looked up a podcast I listened to while I was travelling. I was pleasantly surprised to find out they had released a second series. I think I was just clicking through apps, maybe accidentally typed in the first letter into the search bar, testing if it would even show up, but I somehow stumbled upon it once again.
The podcast makes me extremely happy because it is about travelling, and I listened to it while I was going through all the relatable experiences. The hosts are so positive, so when I was experiencing loneliness, illness or just feeling blue, it made me feel better. Granted, a little pissed off that the host seemingly found travelling 10/10 fun all the time while I often found it hard, but it added to my life nonetheless.
Rediscovering this podcast couldn’t come at a better time. The hosts have an excitement and drive for life which is a boost I really need. The anecdotes prove they can have fun in any situation, so listening to that message to begin my day was brilliant. Brb pod, I have you to thank.
We arrived in Padstow, Cornwall in a misty morning haze, but the sun beamed through. It was the making of a summer day, not an October one. My parents had the smart idea of getting to the town early, because it can get very touristy there. Our arrival was greeted only by dogs and their walkers, and the postman.
A walk from a high up car park, through a church yard and then through narrow streets lead us to the harbour. It’s the star attraction of Padstow, but I couldn’t help noticing that the water was murkier than Newquay harbour, which we had seen the day before. We ‘aww’d’ at Jellycat cuddly toys in a shop window, and stopped for a drink at a cute cafe. I had an oat milk cappuccino, which I have grown a certain snobbery about recently so that wasn’t without some internal critique. My dad thought he saw someone he knew, said hello to said person, said person ignored, he didn’t know him. Then thought he saw Jamie Oliver. I was on the lookout for cute spaniels to persuade my parents to adopt one of their own.
After an ambling beginning to the day, we then walked with somewhat increased vigor along the estuary path. In my mind I was feeling reminiscent. We were discussing Brexit, which of course must feature as a primary conversation topic in every family holiday. The reason this time being that the last time I had visited Padstow was in 2016, two months before the referendum. We talked about this time, I recalled stories of my friends and I in Newquay for that holiday. Because of my increasing positive mood, the memories were very wholesome and happy.
This lead me on to thinking about my own travels. Recently it’s been difficult to think positively about my travelling experiences, because it ended on a low. It was refreshing to talk about places I liked, and think about the people I’d met. It was nice to hear that my mum thinks it is a great achievement to have done the trip I did.
The scenery on the walk was beautiful. We saw an interesting cabbage-like vegetable field, muddy, forestry tracks and the estuary flowing out to the sea. Sandy beaches separate the estuary from the grassy hills, and we looked over this to see Rock, on the other side. Padstow to Rock from certain angles looks almost like a mirror’s image. Did I mention it was also beautifully sunny?
We walked on the sand for a bit, with the waves gently crashing nearby. We saw the WWII memorial which is a fantastic viewpoint, and re-entered a much busier Padstow.
The next stop was Greens, a cafe I haven’t been to in years. It has been redone and it was lovely. I ate a herby vegan gnocchi and drank a sparkling apple and sparkling lemon drink. Then we played mini golf, because that is a feature of every great cafe. I lost, mum won. Although I did get a very impressive loop the loop hole in one.
We walked down to the town and popped into a few shops. I do enjoy looking at certain things for sale, but my recent environmental education has really created a sour taste when it comes to consumerism. I’m happy though. I’m realising how meaningless buying things really is for happiness and it’s a blessing to be able to be able to be objective about something which is so consuming. Seeing the touristy nicknacks in the shops made me think how excited I am to decorate my room or home with carefully thrifted secondhand items, and how I would love to have a minimalist aesthetic, free from clutter where everything ‘sparks joy’.
Lastly, true to any Cornish day out, we got a local ice cream. I got a Roskilly’s dairy-free chocolate and salted caramel. It was a little sweet but lovely. I’m definitely a one scoop girl in my adult life.
On the drive back, I was excited to look at my phone which had been off all day. But I am happy to admit this because I don’t believe it was for an unhealthy reason. I was excited to send a message to some friends I met in Chiang Mai, to check in with how they are. I hate mindlessly going through my phone, and it is so easy to fall into the habit of. But when I’ve spent the day connecting with my thoughts, nature and my family and my phone has been off, going back to it with a positive intention is good, in my opinion.
I also listened to a little more of the podcast because damn, it really made me feel good.
I have spent the evening going through some forms with my dad for a new flat I’m moving in to, eating dinner of pasta, writing a document which accompanies the factsheet, doing a bit of research into a new topic, looking for a laptop case on depop, having a nice tea and watching a bit of YouTube.
I have quite a large workload for the rest of the month but I feel relaxed at the moment, I think these kinds of lovely days are so needed. For perspective, positivity, relaxation, and using your energy to just be present and grateful.
rose mason 