Hooray for Buy Nothing Day!

For many years now I have ignored Black Friday in favor of Buy Nothing Day, which I look forward to every year. Today I won’t even buy a stick of gum, much less go on a shopping bonanza. Part of being thankful means appreciating what you have. So I will spend my day relaxing at home, appreciating what I have and avoiding the holiday stress. I’ll turn off the phone, shut off e-mail and just chill.

Instead of participating in the consumerist free-for-all, here are the things I will be doing instead:

• Bubble Bath: I never get the chance to do this. I never seem to have the time. Without having to worry about going anywhere or answering the phone, I plan to take a nice long soak.
• Write Poetry: Creativity is a strange creature that doesn’t come when called. It takes time to incubate and coalesce. I’m going to take time to let poems manifest today.
• Grooming: My eyebrows are atrocious. I look like a Muppet. My hands and feet could use some attention as well. I could happily live my life in sweatpants and a headband, but like Ben Franklin says “Eat to please yourself, but dress to please others.” So I will make an attempt to look slightly less frumpy today.
• Napping: As a child I hated naps. As an adult I consider them one of the finer things in life. I will catch a quick nap this afternoon, just because i can.
• Nerd Out: As I write this I’m watching Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking. I’ve got some biology, philosophy and science research I want to do today. I plan to indulge my special interests to my heart’s delight today.

Whether you shop or chill out, I wish you a pleasant day!