lisag I had to chuckle at your ways of getting alone time. As I thought about it I realized how often I use various ruses to get alone. As I live close to my children as well as the grands which are teenage to toddler there are lots of family events where the " let's go to lunch or let's stop at the mall come up". Since I am not fond of eating out and hate shopping and have usually by this time had my fill of together I almost always make an excuse. Saying the I am tired or I am not hungry or my feet need a rest usually works even if none of them is really true. At least I can get alone in my car and go home to my house.

lisag I had to chuckle at your ways of getting alone time. As I thought about it I realized how often I use various ruses to get alone. As I live close to my children as well as the grands which are teenage to toddler there are lots of family events where the " let's go to lunch or let's stop at the mall come up". Since I am not fond of eating out and hate shopping and have usually by this time had my fill of together I almost always make an excuse. Saying the I am tired or I am not hungry or my feet need a rest usually works even if none of them is really true. At least I can get alone in my car and go home to my house.

I can honestly say that any place I can read is a restorative niche...Be it parked on a street. Or finding an empty seat in a park or anywhere it looks inviting. But I will say be careful in museums...:)

Hi Penny, sorry to be dense but why do you have to be careful in museums? Just in case you get taken for one of the exhibits? :)

A quiet place without any noises.
Sitting in darkness is sublime.

Another thing I'd like to recommend, some have mentioned doing sudoku puzzles. I like to draw "Zentangles." If you haven't seen them, give them a Google. They look difficult but when you break it down bit by bit they're really not. Anyone can do them at any level. They require concentration, so I find them very freeing and restful for my mind. Give them a try!

Gosh, Melissay, I so relate. I had to get away during lunch. When teaching, I would sit in my classroom and when doing office work, I would drive someplace where there were trees. It was uncomfortable for me because it was odd behavior, but otherwise I would become exhausted.

I wonder what all of us would be like if gathered together. We would be able, I'm sure, to spot the tell-tale book bulge in our bags and the earphones, whether they led anywhere or not.

As so many others have said, reading is one way I recharge. Centering prayer is another. Longish walks alone is a third. Also, spending time with one or two close friends, rather than a large group, is often restorative for me.

A good book and a glass of wine!