My Beliefs About Leisure and How I Incorporate It into My Life

My Beliefs About Leisure and How I Incorporate it Into My Life

Rachel Diaz

California State University

Keeping in mind that everybody has their own definition of leisure, I was able to reflect on what types of leisure I have enjoyed while growing up into who I am today.  Growing up I was a very active person who loved running around, bouncing on the trampoline and already attempting to play volleyball.  As difficult as it is to believe, I actually wasn’t someone who considered school to be a leisure.  When I wasn’t in school or working on schoolwork, I really enjoyed swimming with my dad and watching television.  Growing up with my dad and brother, I was raised to be more outdoorsy and adventurous.  I really enjoyed riding quads, riding horses, shooting bb guns, and playing on the playground with my little brother.  When I wasn’t outdoors with my dad and brother, I really loved watching movies relaxing.  At a very young age, I learned that I loved painting my toes and nails.  Looking back on it, it’s funny to think I loved the outdoors so much but on the other side I loved painting my nails and doing my hair.  

        When I began high school and was going through difficulties with my volleyball team, rumors and an abusive boyfriend, I was very self-conscious and in desperate need of leisure time on my own.  When I began to realize this, I made sure that I listened to my body and mind’s needs.  Going through such difficult times in high school really made me find myself, and what I needed to have the most stress free and relaxing time when I could.  In high school I wasn’t as outdoorsy as I was as a child, but I was more into the spa days and relaxing in the sun.  Although I had a rough high school career, I believe it would have been so much worse if I hadn’t been able to find a way to put myself first in certain situations and ensure that I would get in leisure time.          

        Now that I am not only in college, but am also an athlete on top of my studies, I have ensured that I get in as much leisure time as I possibly can whenever I am able to.  Being an athlete alone takes up so much times and when combining that with my studies, I really do get stressed and am in desperate need of leisure time and relaxation.  I often find myself really overwhelmed and remember all I need to do is put a face mask on, paint all my nails, and listen to my favorite artist all day.  There are not many days where I can fully relax and enjoy leisure time, but when given the opportunity I definitely take it and run.  After a good day of leisure, I feel like a new person who is ready to take on the new week full of volleyball and school.