This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 3

As I listened to Natalie describe today’s challenge, I felt a surge of excitement. I, too, have often spent time focusing on my perfect day. Even more exciting is the fact that, in large part, these last nine months have been pretty darn close to perfect!

It’s no new news to any of our consistent readers to hear my perfect day always begins by waking up seeing Jim’s smiling face, and Aspen’s even bigger smile, as she anticipates the day ahead. While my sweet husband is by no means a morning person, my enthusiastic labrador is, and I have often remarked that we should all face each day with her level of joy.

Next up, a long walk, coffee travelers in hand. My coffee has a touch of kahlua and cream or baileys. Jim sticks to mere sugar. Aspen, in no need of any stimulant, has had to do with mere kibble and rice or veggies for breakfast. This perfect morning walk is always near water. The beach is my number one spot, although a walk along a serene lake or pristine stream will do in a pinch.

We meander along, Aspen sniffing and marking, Jim and I discussing the day ahead, and simply enjoying the birds chirping as the day comes alive around us.

What else could be next but yoga? Although I have dabbled in the practice off and on for years, only in the last five months have I become a full-on convert. I am thrilled that Jim has joined me these last two months, gaining strength and flexibility. Regardless of the mood, a morning dose of yoga puts me in the right frame of mind to face any challenges the day may bring.

Breakfast. Essential for the day. My perfect breakfast is a fantasy, the dream that I could, every day, be transported to La Palapa restaurant on the beach in Puerto Vallarta. There I would indulge in their daily rotation of smoothies, their  freshly baked pastries, their stunning eggs benedict or jaw droppingly good chilaquiles verde. When not indulging in this fantasy land, breakfast is, in reality, most likely yogurt and fruit or an occasional bacon sandwich. My tastebuds are in overdrive, and my mouth is watering just typing out these delightful options.

Properly primed, it’s time for work. Three to four hours of good, concentrated work. This may entail a writing assignment, pitching new editors, or even documenting our days on our travel blog. Perhaps working with Jim on a new campaign for our Amazon products, or a new opt-in offer. The creative juices flow as we discuss our brand; what is going right, what can be improved upon, but all focused towards our business goals for a life nomadic.

By this time, Aspen is needing attention. A bit of fetch is HER perfect day, and then an alfresco lunch is enjoyed by all. Generally easy; a bit of leftovers or a simple sandwich, this break is a necessary spoke in the wheel, giving me the energy to face the afternoon with gusto.

After a nice long break, the afternoon can vary. Some days, more work is on the agenda. However, the afternoon might involve a long hike in the mountains, other days a foot massage on the beach while enjoying a bucket of beer. Maybe climbing some ancient ruins. These choices are, in itself, exactly the point. The entire freedom plan is about creating days that may be extremely diverse from the last, and yet all perfect in their own way.

Late afternoon reverts back to a norm. Another long walk with Aspen, a sundowner- these days most often a gin & tonic, and dinner discussion. Yes, it is widely apparent that food is a driving force in my perfect day!

Evenings are most often our time. I am not big on parties, late nights, or loud music. One perfect evening is cards by lamplight, while drinking rum. Or an evening spent cuddling on the camper sofa, Aspen snoring softly beside me, as we drink wine and watch a movie. Perhaps time spent simply sitting under the stars and standing in awe of mother nature and the night skies.

A bit of reading, a bit more rum. perhaps some chocolate thrown in. My perfect day is obvious. It involves my husband, my labrador, and time spent in the outdoors. It is about good food and good drink and good times with friends and family around a campfire.

Day 3 of this freedom plan challenge is about the ability to visualize the life you WANT. I sit here, feeling incredibly blessed, to be well on my way to having that visualization be the life I already LIVE.