What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
Leisure time and breaks from routine work is important for mental freshness and well-being. The protagonist, Omprakash (OP), finds joy in observing nature. He particularly enjoys watching a feeding caterpillar. This serves as a metaphor for finding pleasure in simple activities. Ways to break monotony, like changing activities or environments, are required. Extra techniques include engaging in conversations and practising self-care. Overall, a balance between work and leisure enhances quality of life and work performance.
The caterpillar
Standing in front of a shrubbery he was curiously watching a feeding caterpillar. The green cylindrical creature with a series of black openings like structures appeared like a devouring machine. It was cutting the leaf surface with ease and at the same time swallowing the pulp swiftly. The spring morning was cosy, warm with refreshing wind, bright sun and clear azure sky. There was a plethora of colourful flowers with hovering bees, aphids and butterflies. The quiet ambience and pleasant morning were invigorating.
The walk
For the sake of convenience, it would be better to call him by a proper noun. Our protagonist, Omprakash, aka OP, goes for a walk in the morning. A septuagenarian, OP likes to wander in verdurous ambience watching varieties of flowers, vegetation and colourful insects. That day too, he was on his morning routine, enjoying the beauty of Nature and feeling fresh. After a refreshing walk, watching and conversing with natural elements, OP feels rejuvenated.
(1) Watchful
While walking, he would carefully watch plants, leaf blades, and various life forms, including insects and worms. OP prefer to walk alone. It allowed him to be with himself and enjoy Nature. Tiny, colourful insects were busy with their business, providing an invigorating sight. Hopping and flying birds searching for food or nesting thrilled him. He would copiously thank the Almighty for the bounties.
(2) Worm or caterpillar
On one such pleasant day, OP saw the feeding caterpillar. Firmly sticking to a twig and eating leaves, the larva fascinated him. Standing there, he watched silently the “worm”, which was completely engrossed in eating. “Worm?” The word reverberated in his mind. He hesitated to use it for the caterpillar because caterpillars and worms are different. A caterpillar is a cylindrical organism which is an intermediary phase in the life cycle of a butterfly or moth. Worms, on the other hand, are an adult form of an entirely different group of animals. Maggot seemed an appropriate replacement, though OP was still not satisfied with the choice.
(3) Disturbance
After watching the caterpillar for a while, he tried to go a little closer to it. Unconsciously, his feet touched the plant, caterpillar was feeding upon. The twig feebly shook. Feeling disturbed, it swiftly rolled its front. The large, black, rounded spots became prominent. They appeared like the big staring eyes of a formidable organism. Amused OP grinned and watched the creature for a few more moments, trying not to disturb it. The creature kept itself in the same situation leaving the feeding for a while. It froze without making any further gestures except displaying its spots.
(4) Natural drama
“What a unique method of saving themselves!” OP thought, feeling a deep reverence for nature. “Its unique method of insinuating a ferocious creature to save itself from the potential prey,” he said to himself.
Wandering and inhaling fresh, fragrant air, he continued to watch the natural drama. These activities were his favourite pastime, providing him pleasure when he wasn’t engaged in specific work.
Every moment a leisure
After working hard, OP came out of his workplace to get a respite and have a break. He was a person whose mind was never empty, but always had some thoughts about one thing or the other. OP viewed every time as leisure time. Always tries to do interesting work, which gives him deep self-satisfaction and pleasure; he considers every moment a leisure. Proclivity, at times, becomes monotonous and dreary. It needs a break.
(1) Break replenish vitality
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to have a work of choice. Situations compel one to take up a different work. Most of the time, people can’t be choosers. Adjustments are thus imperative. Nonetheless, work should not be monotonous or dull. The human mind is conditioned to need breaks. It requires intervals to refresh. Breaks help it regain its vitality.
(2) Monotony needs a break
The quality of work improves when performed with a free and fresh mind. Long repetitive work causes mental fatigue. It is where a break is needed to stop monotony and relieve physical strain. The break can be called recess or leisure time. It is because one needs to rest for a few moments to remove the dullness that causes fatigue. Recreation is necessarily not doing one’s favoured work or pursuing a hobby during recess. Even a slight break and looking around can do the job. The monotony is not a big problem. It can be overcome by adopting various things that relieve dullness and mental exhaustion.
Important points
Some important things need to be done. The points listed below can be helpful. Though the points are indicative, considering and choosing them all is preferable.
- Start doing different work – it swiftly relieves the tiredness and monotony. A student, for example, after long hours of study, can close his books. He can take a deep breath. After a few moments, he can pick up a comic book or a light storybook. It recreates him by breaking the monotony.
- Changing the environment also changes the scenario and makes a person refreshed. Leave the workplace, take a few strides outside and have some refreshments.
- Conversing with others about lighter things and things one likes has a miraculous effect on monotony. It also allows for new ideas that can help variously.
- Self-care is important to keep fit and updated. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. The body is our self. It has to be taken care of. Undue work pressure gives a myriad of other side effects detrimental to health and hampers the quality of work.
Leisure time
People want to do something of their choice during the break. They call it leisure time. Call it by any name, the purpose is the same. It is to break the monotony. It also helps to get refreshed to take up the task and finish it with perfection. One can’t always have a camera, canvas, paint or something like it to do something in leisure. In the modern world, though, mobile phones have come as a great help. It helps in taking decent and near-professional pictures. It is not only lightweight but also convenient and easy to carry and use. Being a necessity, it always remains with everyone. Searching for a particular choice would not be a wise thing.
In the end
Engaging in a favoured activity or pursuing a hobby can be a good pastime, but it is not essential. The object of breaking the monotony is to relieve physical exhaustion and mental fatigue. Taking a break from work can help refresh and rejuvenate the mind. Engaging in different activities allows for mental diversion. Even a “workaholic” needs a break from the repetitive work for a while. A proper balance of work and recess keeps work performance excellent and fruitful.
Further reads:
-END-
Leave a Reply