Don’t Trade Away Your Leisure Time: Weekend Writing Prompt

Tavira, Portugal, June 2026

Our bodies are not simply machines.

They need time to relax and rest.

But in our fear of poverty and missing out,

We turn our work into a quest.

Our human species trades having more stuff

Over having fun and enjoying some free time.

We gripe about the long hours,

And yet, up the ladder we continue to climb.

But bodies will surely retaliate someday,

As they struggle for solitude and peace.

Illness may grip us until we get the gist:

Rest, O weary one, and let your working cease.

Written for the Weekend Writing Prompt # 484 from Sammi Cox: Trade in 90 words. Fandango One Word Challenge prompt is Species. The Three Things Challenge #MM 538 prompts from Pensitivity 101 are Gist, Grip, Gripe.

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33 thoughts on “Don’t Trade Away Your Leisure Time: Weekend Writing Prompt”

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  1. Resting is a must for rejuvenation and recovery from illnesses. If you don’t learn to rest now, you’ll be laid to rest later. Use your head in these last days!!!

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  2. ‘Illness may grip us until we get the gist: Rest, O weary one, and let your working cease’ is such a powerful, necessary truth, Regina. 🌿 In a world that constantly glorifies the hustle, this reminder to honor our bodies and preserve leisure time is so deeply appreciated.

    Liked by 4 people

  3. Nous sommes enchantés de l’aide très précieuse et de l’investissement total fournis par M. Bernard, de mon mari & Moi, dans le cadre de notre recherche du meilleur financement de notre achat de maison. Il s’est montré très réactif, dynamique, disponible au plus haut point et à notre écoute en faisant preuve d’une patience jamais démentie et de gentillesse face à nos changements d’avis de dernière minute quant au montant de notre demande de prêt et à nos innombrables questions. Nous recommandons Monsieur Bernard Bertossa les yeux fermés à tous nos amis et proches. Plusieurs n’ont d’ailleurs pas tardé à être, à leur tour, convaincus par le professionnalisme et l’efficacité de cette société. bernadbertosa@gmail.com

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  4. This lands so powerfully, Regina, because you’re speaking from truth the kind you’ve lived. That last stanza is the one we need to hear: illness will teach us if we don’t listen first. Your warning is kind because it comes from caring.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I remember those days with five kids needing my attention. I had to learn to rest when they rested, rather than use it as a time to do more. You don’t need perfection. When you can rest, you have more to give, that’s what a psychologist told me. As women, we sometimes give so much but if we go down, who takes up the slack? Just 5 minutes for a tea or coffee break works miracles. Thanks for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

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