Outdoor things

I’ve started to give myself compliments.

It’s an odd feeling. Like taking a crocodile for a walk.

I tell myself I should spend more time

doing things that make me happy. I’ve decided

I’m not allowed to be sad on Saturdays

that there are so many ways to laugh

and I am determined not to waste my days

and I’m not allowed to wish things were better.

I’ve started doing outdoor things.

I’ve made myself stop working at weekends.

There are so many forests and castles and rivers,

so much out there just waiting to be learnt

and I am making an extra special effort to walk

to the houses of my favourite people

and it’s only when you enjoy outdoor things

you can make the most of indoor things

beer and takeaway and a fiver from Fopp film

so enjoyable in small measures

and it’s good to say I’m allowed to treat myself sometimes

and right now I feel good and I guess

it’s hard not to when you allow yourself the time

to do outdoor things. It makes life so much better.

I can talk for hours about how much I love canoes.