We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. This month, we're sharing what a day in each of our lives is like. As you can see, we don't only write book reviews. ;)
Melissa Amster: My daily routine has changed a lot over the past year. It used to involve getting my kids to school, either by car or by waiting for the bus, and then driving to work. I'd pick one of them up from school in the evening, as well. Then there was dinner, relaxation time, and the usual bedtime routines.
Back then, I got up at 5:45 a.m. to get started on my day, since I always exercise in the morning. The pandemic has afforded me an extra hour of sleep, so I now get up at 6:45 a.m. to exercise. Sometimes later, depending on my husband's schedule. I either do the treadmill first and then a workout video with my daughter or vice versa. Then I get my daughter breakfast and get my sons out of bed. This is around 8:00 am now. Sometimes I have to do the treadmill after making sure everyone is up and having breakfast.
After that is all settled and I've freshened up and gotten dressed, I have breakfast. Most days, it's Special K vanilla almond, but sometimes I treat myself to a bagel with butter and strawberry jam. Then I work on blog stuff and any other housekeeping needs, before I start on the other work I am now doing. A year ago, I was still working from home for the non-profit job I held for over ten years. However, the pandemic changed that plan too, but now I'm dipping my toes into the publishing industry, gaining some new experiences along the way.
On some mornings or afternoons, I am either ordering groceries through Instacart or going to the store. Around 12:30 p.m., I usually have my standard lunch of a salad, fruit, and a granola bar. Then I get lunch for my daughter. My sons usually make their own lunch or snack a lot throughout the day. In the evening, either my husband or I will make dinner for everyone. On Mondays, we have meat leftovers from Shabbat. Tuesday through Thursday is usually dairy items. Friday, we have meat once again for a new Shabbat meal. After dinner, it's usually relaxation time, most of it spent watching TV (most recently Love, Victor, Manifest, The Bold Type, and Workin' Moms). Then I get my daughter settled into bed, as my sons end up going to bed a lot later and don't need to be tucked in anymore. I spend the rest of the evening getting more blog stuff done or replying to e-mails before going to bed myself.
The only night that is different is Friday, for Shabbat. We don't have dinner until later in the evening, after I have lit candles and my husband has finished his prayers. We spend time talking and joking around, as well as relaxing and reading. We also will play board games, but usually that happens more on Saturday.
There you have it, a day in my life. It's pretty standard, but I'm glad I could give you a glimpse! I'm hoping we'll get out a bit more this summer and shake up our routines!
| My sons at Goat Yoga |
















