When I woke up this morning, I thought that I wanted to try something new. Instead of my usual routine of reading, I spent some time trying on different outfits, seeing which one felt like the best for the day. I had washed and dried my hair well last night so this felt like the perfect time for being more selective about an outfit.
Accompanied by a cup of coffee I made, I tried various looks: formal, semi-formal, and close to my regular attire. I have a black blazer that I want to wear but I haven’t quite found the occasion yet. I could have worn the blazer today but I was aware that it may rain and so a jacket would be more appropriate. I need a cool tie, too.
I ended up finding a shirt with a palm tree on it and wearing my usual jacket. There’s nothing like a t-shirt with a palm tree!
Later in the day I went to the park. I usually stick to walking on the path but, perhaps buoyed by the time I spent experimenting with outfits, I walked across the grass to a small, well-gardened area that caught my eye a few weeks ago. Last time I walked past, there was a woman with a laptop there. I remember thinking about the poetry of writing while being surrounded by all the lavender and white flowers that were growing there.
The air was refreshing today.
Further on my walk I noticed vines with pink flowers growing up a cobblestone building – the contrast stood out among all the buildings.
A few minutes later, I was walking down a set of stairs and saw someone stop to pick up a 5p. I thought how I would have done exactly the same, too. Every time I pick up a penny, I say the phrase that I have known since childhood: Find a penny, pick it up, and all day you’ll have good luck. If you pass it to a friend, then their luck will never end.
I then found myself walking past a bench with a Paddington statue sitting on one side. Every time I walk past there are a few people getting their picture taken next to the bear. Today there was a line of five or six people waiting. I wonder if Paddington has a marmalade sandwich under his hat.
I went shoe shopping, too. I felt a bit anxious for reasons I didn’t really comprehend; I think it was the knowing that shoe shopping takes time and I might not find something I like. But I did! The last pair I had were falling apart; I had walked a lot in them and the sizing wasn’t as good as other shoes I have. I feel good to finally have shoes that fit properly. A Taylor Swift song even played in the shoe shop. I sang along to the song while picking out a shoe.
