Back

Anything is Better Than the Sofa: A Mantra for Life's Adventures | Day 297 of my 2023 Journal

Cecilie Conrad·Oct 25, 2023· 3 minutes

Anything is better than the sofa!

Eleven years ago, when my youngest child was a newborn, we went on a 100-day road trip in Europe. My brother flew to meet us in Spain and joined the party for about six weeks.

This Road trip was epic. In so many ways. For this reflection, I will share only one point, a statement presented by my brother, a statement that stuck with us like a mantra and has become central to our shared understanding of life.

He said: “Anything is better than the sofa. You need to get out there. You might have a plan, you probably need a plan, but at the end of the day, the main purpose of that plan is to get you out there. Because anything is better than the sofa.”

There are, of course, things where the sofa is a better alternative. But I think if you try, you get the point.

I got the point on Tuesday where the downpour started at eight in the morning and continued the entire day. We spent a lot of time on the sofa on that day.

All doing our things: writing, working, exploring, studying, reading, gaming.

At the same time, the jet tag had an unforeseen backlash. We thought we were over it, getting used to the new sleeping and eating rhythm - and then exhaustion set in. Instead of feeling we were on top of the energies, it suddenly felt like we had been up all night for almost a week.

Low energy, tropical rain, sofa. The combo was BORING. We did get some things done, and it was a calm and cozy day.

Jesper and Storm enjoyed being stupid and playing basketball with swimming goggles on, to avoid getting the rain in their eyes. I walked in the sunset in a new direction, taking in the city with all the water. But at the end of the day, I felt it was bent in neon, shouting from the rooftops, written 100 times on the blackboard:

Anything is better than the sofa.

Just get out there.

And so continues our soft landing in Mexico, more real stuff slipping through the cracks of Tourist Friendly Surface, an unfolding of our spirits on new grounds, a realization we are on track, and every context has its treasures.

Even a rainy day on the sofa reminds us how beautiful it all is, and how little things, in reality, very often are big things.

With love

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

Thank you for reading
I would love to hear from you. Listen to your thoughts and reflections - or praise :) It is often emotional to share our lives like this, and we get very happy when we get your feedback. So feel free to share a comment below 😋 

See more images on Facebook!

The moon's mystique enhances the tranquility of our daily routine. From the simplicity of a beach walk to the profound beauty of a moonrise, discover…Read more
Join us for an in-depth conversation on the complexities of unschooling and the role of parental judgment, featuring Cecilie Conrad, Carla Martinez, …Read more
Dive into a day of introspection and cultural exploration as I navigate through moods, art galleries, and local festivities. From the subtleties of i…Read more
From exploring local cenotes to movie nights featuring Frida Kahlo, our family navigates the challenges and joys of settling into Mexico. Discover ho…Read more
Struggling with jetlag, a virus, and adjusting to a new life in Mexico, my family found solace in a local vegan, organic restaurant. Discover how sim…Read more
Join us as we explore Playa Pelicanos, a hidden gem away from the hustle of mass tourism. From white sandy beaches to exotic iguanas and the simple j…Read more
Discover the life-changing mantra 'Anything is better than the sofa' that became central to our family's philosophy during an epic road trip. Learn h…Read more
A walk through the local market reveals the beauty of street art and its vulnerability to time and change. The experience is enriched by the discover…Read more
A thought-provoking day trip to Portal Maya in Playa del Carmen reveals the complexities of modern tourism. The experience raises questions about eco…Read more