How do you downtime?

Downtime is really about taking time out for yourself and breaking the monotony of life's routine tasks and making life interesting.

Paulo Coelho one said in an interview "repeating the same pattern over and over, you are not alive anymore." In other words the routine monotony is slowly killing you.

Monotony as described by dictionary.com; wearisome uniformity, lack of variety, as in occupation or scenery. Does that sound you like you? If so let's make some changes today!!

Most people, especially 9 to 5ers, find themselves in an endless routine. Doing the same exact things day after day. Wake up, get dressed, drive in to work, act like your working hard for a while, go to lunch, act like you're working hard again for a while longer, drive home, eat dinner, sleep, repeat.

Not only is routine the same but it's the same at the tiniest level. When we drive to work it's usually the same route, when we eat lunch it's often times the same place or one of three places. Our dinners become routine. It has to stop! This is your life, it is up to you to make the changes. To break the monotony. Change is good for growth. Change allows you to grow and see things from a different perspective. Once you start making changes, even little ones that you don't think matter, are a step in the right direction because you're telling your mind that you are open to discovering & experiencing new and wonderful things. Another thing to do is take pictures or document when you discover new things. Create a scrapbook and be amazed at all the exciting things you discovered in your downtime.

By taking a different route to work you may discover a new restaurant or fitness club, or a new discount clothing store. Perhaps you'll just see a sign or billboard that sparks something in you. Try a different restaurant for lunch next time and order something you wouldn't normally order. Who knows you may just like it. The point is mix it up and don't be afraid to change.

For my downtime today and to break the monotony I decided to visit Platform in Los Angeles. Platform is a relatively new spot on the West Side of L.A. off of Washington Blvd. I can best describe it as a shopping and dining oasis in the middle of a man made desert filled with cactus and other desert plants. There's a variety of shops and healthy eating spots with plenty of outdoor seating where one is able to just sit , relax and take in the views which is what I did. I also took some pics, enjoy! and let me know how you downtime.

pics from my day at platform l.a.

Here is a partial list of cool shops and eats that you can find @ Platform: Freda Salvador, Aesop, Sweet Green, Loqui, Sao Acai, Soulcycle, Hayden Blue Bottle Coffee, Reservoir L.A.,Poketo Magasin, Reformation, Sorensen and many more. If you find yourself in the area check it out, it's a great place to downtime!