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

A rainbow over Scilla | Day 63 of my 2023 Journal
Some days can be defined by a single moment. I will let this one stand with its rainbow. The day was packed, but the rainbow alone would have been en…Read more
Goodbye Sicily | Day 62 of my 2023 Journal
We arrived in Sicily in mid-December. Now we are leaving. Sitting on one of the beaches, watching my seventeen-year-old son walking along the coast, …Read more
Choose happiness: Always | Day 61 of my 2023 Journal
It is a question of mindset, again. Choosing to be happy even when you get a flat tire on the top of a mountain. When I am tired, it can be challengi…Read more
Sicily: We have to talk about the trash! | Day 60 of my 2023 Journal
We have had the opportunity to reflect upon the garbage problem in Sicily. On this island, we have been shocked by how garbage is everywhere. It look…Read more
A Pride Sweater for Yuna, our Dog - Crafting with Purpose | Day 18 of my 2023 Journal
Join me in the delightful tale of knitting a unique Pride sweater for Yuna, our dog, and explore the joys and challenges of creating with purpose and…Read more
Hope vs. Belief: Navigating Life's Dreams and Realities | Day 17 of my 2023 Journal
Explore the intricate dance between hope and belief and how daring to dream shapes the life we create. Join the conversation on optimism and the cour…Read more
Embracing Winter: A Time for Peace, Planning, and Introspection | Day 16 of my 2023 Journal
Discover the tranquility of winter with our slow-living approach. Embrace peaceful routines, mindful planning, and the joy of anticipation for new ad…Read more
Harmony in Order: My Journey to Minimalism and Organized Living | Day 15 of my 2023 Journal
Embrace the harmony of organizing; my journey from a cluttered bus to a minimalist lifestyle underscores the peace found in order and letting go. Joi…Read more
Whispers of Nature: The Serene World of Alpacas | Day 14 of my 2023 Journal
Discover the serene alpaca world through my visits; their silent hums and gentle gazes offer tranquility. Thanks to Giovani for caring for these beau…Read more
Previous 1 2 3 … 37 38 39 40 41 … 48 49 50 Next
A rainbow over Scilla | Day 63 of my 2023 Journal
Some days can be defined by a single moment. I will let this one stand with its rainbow. The day was packed, but the rainbow alone would have been en…Read more
Goodbye Sicily | Day 62 of my 2023 Journal
We arrived in Sicily in mid-December. Now we are leaving. Sitting on one of the beaches, watching my seventeen-year-old son walking along the coast, …Read more
Choose happiness: Always | Day 61 of my 2023 Journal
It is a question of mindset, again. Choosing to be happy even when you get a flat tire on the top of a mountain. When I am tired, it can be challengi…Read more
Sicily: We have to talk about the trash! | Day 60 of my 2023 Journal
We have had the opportunity to reflect upon the garbage problem in Sicily. On this island, we have been shocked by how garbage is everywhere. It look…Read more
A Pride Sweater for Yuna, our Dog - Crafting with Purpose | Day 18 of my 2023 Journal
Join me in the delightful tale of knitting a unique Pride sweater for Yuna, our dog, and explore the joys and challenges of creating with purpose and…Read more
Hope vs. Belief: Navigating Life's Dreams and Realities | Day 17 of my 2023 Journal
Explore the intricate dance between hope and belief and how daring to dream shapes the life we create. Join the conversation on optimism and the cour…Read more
Embracing Winter: A Time for Peace, Planning, and Introspection | Day 16 of my 2023 Journal
Discover the tranquility of winter with our slow-living approach. Embrace peaceful routines, mindful planning, and the joy of anticipation for new ad…Read more
Harmony in Order: My Journey to Minimalism and Organized Living | Day 15 of my 2023 Journal
Embrace the harmony of organizing; my journey from a cluttered bus to a minimalist lifestyle underscores the peace found in order and letting go. Joi…Read more
Whispers of Nature: The Serene World of Alpacas | Day 14 of my 2023 Journal
Discover the serene alpaca world through my visits; their silent hums and gentle gazes offer tranquility. Thanks to Giovani for caring for these beau…Read more
Previous 1 2 3 … 37 38 39 40 41 … 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