Restoration During A Holiday

Happy Canada Day and Independence Day to my readers! Since this week is Canada Day and Independence Day, I wanted to share with you what I do to find restoration during a holiday.

Even as things are opening up in Alberta, there is still a need for social distancing that is affecting holiday celebrations. With that in mind, I was thinking about how to celebrate Canada Day in a way that would be fun and restorative.

Get Out of the House

With my husband and I both working from home, we really wanted to get out of the house for Canada Day. We have been staying pretty close to home for the last few months. It has been challenging to separate work from personal restorative time. The intention was to use Canada Day as a day that would bring restoration and improve our mental health.  

Where to Spend our Time

The next question was where to spend our time on Canada Day since rain was in the forecast. We wanted a place that we could visit for a few hours despite the weather and somewhere we had not visited recently.

We also wanted an activity that had interesting things to see so that we could bring our cameras and take pictures.

Photography is one of our hobbies. We love taking pictures, capturing the places we visit and our moments together. It is a great way to intentionally slow down, to observe the world around us and try to find ways to just take in the moment. Taking artistic photos takes time and requires observation. Staying mindful and present in the moment is an important part of the creative and restorative process.  

Heritage Park

We decided to spend some time at Heritage Park as it is a place we have not visited recently. Not everything in the park was open, but it seemed like a great place to spend some time together. Heritage Park is a living history museum about the settlement of Western Canada. It depicts life as it would have been from the 1860’s to 1930’s.

My highlight from this visit was riding the old steam train that winds throughout the park. I love visiting with the horses that live at the park and walking by the reservoir to watch the sailboats. It was a great way to find some restoration during the holiday and to enjoy time outside.

Working Within the Limitations

Working within the limitations came to mind as I enjoyed the park. A lot of things were closed and not everything was available to experience. But that was ok. It is important to find the joy in the present moment, be thankful for the opportunity to get out and visit the park and spend time with my best friend.  

Find Activities that are Restorative

It is important that we get a break from our daily lives and routines and find activities that are restorative. I love art and I love creative time but sometimes I need a change of pace. By seeing things through new eyes and having new experiences, it helps to fuel the creative passion.

I believe that especially during this time of isolation, being able to get out, enjoy the things around us, and have these moments of normality are important. These experiences make us feel more connected to those around us, even if it is at a distance.

These are the things that help make us feel like life is not on hold. It can be a break from the stress and from overwhelm that daily life can bring.  Whatever brings you restoration, be intentional. Embrace the opportunity and really enjoy these moments where life can feel more normal.

Enjoy the Day

I hope that you really enjoy the day and have a great Canada Day or Independence Day. I hope that you are able to make the most of it and find restoration during the holiday. I would love to hear what you have done to celebrate Canada Day or Independence Day. Feel free to comment below or to contact me directly.