Five Easy Things You Can Do with Your Extra 24 Hours on Leap Day

Every four years, we receive a gift of time at the end  February  …  AN EXTRA DAY!  
 
Just for fun, I looked back on my 2016 Leap Day post on how I’d use this bonus in 2016. 
 
I was gobsmacked.  
 
Life has majorly changed in four short years!  Becoming a baby boomer orphan.  Rightsizing to the cozy yellow cottage.  Making new friends and connections.  Feeling more mellow about life after a milestone birthday (Can we start counting backward, please <wink>).
 
To reflect this new reality, I thought of five easy things to do to make the most of an extra 24 hours on Leap Day.  I hope these simple actions for finding quality time will be useful for you, too.
 
p.s....At the end of this post, find more smiles and inspiration for this gift of time from my favorite bloggers in our #Gr8Blogs 2020 Leap Year Blog Hop. 

---

1.  Find Your Happy Place

What place nourishes your soul and makes you smile just thinking about it?  Lofty mountains?  Countryside quiet?  Big city vibes?  Library or fave coffee shop? 
 
No worries if you can’t get there in person.  Just slip away in your imagination.  

Me?  I head to the beach (IRT or imagined).  It’s an easy 2-hour drive from my North Carolina home to our sandy beaches on the warm Atlantic coast (btw ... the NC coast is also the settings of two of my Sweet T Tales chapter books for young readers).
 
I can already picture it. Emerald-green waves tickling toes.  Kids splashing in tidal pools.  Endless blue sky punctuated by squawking gulls and diving pelicans.  
Maybe a pod of dolphins leaping offshore.  

​Instant serenity!  
​

Photo by Timothy Klingler on Unsplash

---

​2.  Spread Kindness 

It only takes a moment to do something nice for someone, and your spirits will do the happy dance, too.  Promise.  

Today, I was waiting in line at the Dollar Store to check out with a few items when the woman ahead of me, who had a full cart, offered to let me go ahead of her.  I was so touched by her gesture!

My friend offers a ride to an elderly gent when she finds him crossing a busy 6-lane street to buy groceries.  Even when he declines because he enjoys his outing, he’s grateful for someone just noticing him.
 
Hey, you can even go high-tech. Ring, the video doorbell and home security, launched a Neighbors app.  The app makes it easy for people to celebrate their neighbors' good deeds by posting "Neighborly Moments," good things that that happen where they live.  How cool is that!

Try a super simple way to spread kindness on your bonus day ...  
​

Smile at a stranger (we do it all the time in North Carolina!) 
Reconnect with an old friend 
Allow someone to merge ahead of you on the highway  
Check on a neighbor or tired mom you haven’t seen in a while  
​Say thanks to an overworked cashier or teacher 
​

Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash

---

​3.  Get Outside and Walk
​
It’s hard to make time to get outdoors, especially when stuck at the office or corralling little ones at home. 
 
I’m lucky to live in an area crisscrossed by walking trails and parks.  It’s easy to open the door and be on my way.  Walking also returns me to the keyboard feeling energized and ready to write my next scene.  

How about bundling up the kids in the stroller and heading to a nearby park?  Even a lap around the block or parking lot during lunch helps you de-stress and be more productive.
​

Cat Michaels: on a greenway trail

---

 
 4.  Crack a Task 

I see you rolling your eyes here.  

Really, Cat?!?  More work?!?
 
Consider spending only 30 minutes tackling a task you've been avoiding.
 
Remember, back in the day, balancing your checkbook? I hated doing that!  Today's equivalent might be sorting out photos on your mobile (or boxes of print pics).   How about cleaning out that overflowing closet or garage?  Making an appointment for your annual wellness visit?  
 
You’ll feel better knowing you made a dent in your to-do list  Once you finish, reward yourself with #5 below.
​

Photo by Ivan Shilov on Unsplash

---

do i
​5.  Be nice to YOU

Do you push yourself to do more faster and better?  Skip something you enjoy because there aren’t enough hours in the day?  

Leap Day is the perfect opportunity to be nice to yourself, too.  What if you .....
​

Grab a pedicure
Enjoy a favorite beverage with a friend  
Play with a puppy at the pet store  
Start a puzzle 
Give a neglected craft project some love 
Buy those shoes you’ve been eyeing
Make time to read

.
Whatever your neglected passion, find few minutes for it on Leap Day.  You know you want to!  Might as well.  You have a whole extra 24 hours!

photo credit: Thomas Hawk Those Puppy Dog Eyes via photopin (license)

---

Your Turn

How would you use your Leap Day?  What other ideas can you suggest? Please share in the comment section.  

​Hey, before you go, discover more inspiration and smiles by clicking over to my blogging buddies in our  #Gr8Blogs 2020 Leap Year Blog Hop.  Thanks a ton!
​

Rosie Russell 
We're Leaping and Hopping
for Leap Year 2020

Julie Gorges
How Baby Boomers
​Can Make Leap Day Count!​

Carmela Dutra
How to Take a Leap on Leap Day

Chris Gorges
A Rare Gift - Extra Time
​

Rebecca Lindsey
Very Superstitious

Jim Milson
Happy Leap Year Day!  
​What Will You Do with Your Extra Time?

Sandra Bennett
What Will You Do With an Extra Day?

Auden Johnson
How Will You Spend Your Extra Day this Leap Year?

Julie Schooler
3 Easy Ways to Make February 29th Your Best Leap Day Ever

---

---

   Twitter   Facebook   Pinterest   Goodreads   Amazon   Instagram