Cecilie Conrad logo - dark
Cecilie Conrad logo - light
⌘K
Blog Podcast Unschooling Parent consultant About me
bBlog
pPodcast
uUnschooling
pParent consultant
aAbout me
Back

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

Cecilie Conrad·Oct 25, 2023

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!

Previous 39: Laurie A. Couture | Empowering Children: A Fresh Perspective on Trauma, Attachment, and Alternative Education
Next Exploring Street Art and Cultural Symbols in a Subtropical Setting | Day 296 of my 2023 Journal

Comments

Write a comment...
00:00 Recording...

Unschooling and Parent consulting, conversations, blogposts, and podcasts on family life and learning

Hi, I'm Cecilie Conrad. I'm a trained psychologist, mother of four, radical unschooler and full-time traveller. I have lived with unschooling for over a decade and help other families find their own path – whether it is about homeschooling, unschooling, or the bigger question of how you want to live as a family.

I offer guidance, conversations and talks. I call my work grandmothering – not coaching in the traditional sense, but presence, professional insight and concrete help navigating motherhood and finding your way home to your own values.

Am I the right person to help you? You can book a free discovery call, and we'll talk and figure it out.

Unschooling & Parent Consultant
Grandmothering – not coaching. Read more here

Listen to my podcasts

I share my knowledge and curiosity about family life and learning in my two podcasts.

Listen here
Listen here

Read my latest blogposts

The Power of Letting Go: A New Chapter Without Our Bus | Day 276 of my 2023 Journal
Witness our emotional yet liberating journey of clearing out our bus at La Bassa, reflecting on five years of adventures and realizing the freedom th…Read more
Letting Go of the Bus: The True Meaning of Home | Day 275 of my 2023 Journal
Join us as we revisit our bus at Mon La Bassa and discover that home isn't about possessions but where the heart finds freedom and connection. Read more
October's Summer: A Perfect Day at Playa de Sant Salvador | Day 274 of my 2023 Journal
Relish an unexpected summer day in Catalunia, complete with sun, sea, and a heartwarming reunion. Learn why seasons don't define our adventures. Read more
Savoring Madrid's Sun and Moon: A Day of Goodbyes and New Beginnings | Day 273 of my 2023 Journal
From Madrid's sun-soaked parks to a moonlit drive to Playa de Sant Salvador, join us as we say goodbye and chase new adventures by the Mediterranean.…Read more
Unleashing Wanderlust: Our High-Energy Road Trip from Santiago to Madrid | Day 272 of my 2023 Journal
Join us as we navigate the emotional highs and lows of saying goodbye on our nomadic journey. From making lifelong friends to exploring Santiago, lea…Read more
Embracing the Big Goodbye: Our Journey of Friendship and Adventure | Day 271 of my 2023 Journal
Join us as we navigate the emotional highs and lows of saying goodbye on our nomadic journey. From making lifelong friends to exploring Santiago, lea…Read more
Discovering Ancient Engravings: A Mountaintop Adventure Post-Camino | Day 270 of my 2023 Journal
After the emotional whirlwind of the Camino, my friends and I sought solace in nature. Our hike led us to a mountaintop where we uncovered ancient st…Read more
Finding Peace on the Camino: Sunsets, Mangoes, and New Beginnings | Day 269 of my 2023 Journal
After my transformative journey on the Camino, I found moments of profound peace and clarity. From savoring the ripest Spanish mangoes to being capti…Read more
Camino Frances Day 17: Completion, Reflection, and Honoring Love | Day 268 of my 2023 Journal
On the final day of our Camino Frances journey, emotions ran deep as we approached Santiago. Amidst the beauty of moss-covered trees and silent fores…Read more
Previous 1 2 3 … 14 15 16 17 18 … 48 49 50 Next
The Power of Letting Go: A New Chapter Without Our Bus | Day 276 of my 2023 Journal
Witness our emotional yet liberating journey of clearing out our bus at La Bassa, reflecting on five years of adventures and realizing the freedom th…Read more
Letting Go of the Bus: The True Meaning of Home | Day 275 of my 2023 Journal
Join us as we revisit our bus at Mon La Bassa and discover that home isn't about possessions but where the heart finds freedom and connection. Read more
October's Summer: A Perfect Day at Playa de Sant Salvador | Day 274 of my 2023 Journal
Relish an unexpected summer day in Catalunia, complete with sun, sea, and a heartwarming reunion. Learn why seasons don't define our adventures. Read more
Savoring Madrid's Sun and Moon: A Day of Goodbyes and New Beginnings | Day 273 of my 2023 Journal
From Madrid's sun-soaked parks to a moonlit drive to Playa de Sant Salvador, join us as we say goodbye and chase new adventures by the Mediterranean.…Read more
Unleashing Wanderlust: Our High-Energy Road Trip from Santiago to Madrid | Day 272 of my 2023 Journal
Join us as we navigate the emotional highs and lows of saying goodbye on our nomadic journey. From making lifelong friends to exploring Santiago, lea…Read more
Embracing the Big Goodbye: Our Journey of Friendship and Adventure | Day 271 of my 2023 Journal
Join us as we navigate the emotional highs and lows of saying goodbye on our nomadic journey. From making lifelong friends to exploring Santiago, lea…Read more
Discovering Ancient Engravings: A Mountaintop Adventure Post-Camino | Day 270 of my 2023 Journal
After the emotional whirlwind of the Camino, my friends and I sought solace in nature. Our hike led us to a mountaintop where we uncovered ancient st…Read more
Finding Peace on the Camino: Sunsets, Mangoes, and New Beginnings | Day 269 of my 2023 Journal
After my transformative journey on the Camino, I found moments of profound peace and clarity. From savoring the ripest Spanish mangoes to being capti…Read more
Camino Frances Day 17: Completion, Reflection, and Honoring Love | Day 268 of my 2023 Journal
On the final day of our Camino Frances journey, emotions ran deep as we approached Santiago. Amidst the beauty of moss-covered trees and silent fores…Read more
Previous 1 2 3 … 14 15 16 17 18 … 48 49 50 Next
See all my blogposts
Cecilie Conrad logo - dark
Cecilie Conrad logo - light
Blog
All my blogposts Unschooling 365 Days Challenge 2023
Podcast
The Ladies Fixing the World Self Directed
About me
My story - Cecilie Conrad Stay Updated: Get my Newsletter Visit my danish site CecilieConrad.dk
Consulting
Parent and unschooling support Free Discovery Call - Text me on WhatsApp Testimonials: What Others Say Prices and payment options