Daily writing prompt

Was today typical?

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Hello dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood, sipping your favorite cup of tea and smiling at life’s small surprises.

Today’s writing prompt caught my attention like a sudden breeze on a quiet afternoon: “Was today typical?”

A simple question on the surface, yet it invites us to peek into our routines and reflect — not just on today, but on the essence of how we live.

So, was my day typical?

If you had asked me this a few years ago, when my life was wrapped in files and spreadsheets at the bank, I might’ve said, “Yes, typical — coffee at 8, meetings at 10, lunch at 2, paperwork till 7, and home by night.”

Those were the days of structure, of timetables, of predictability. And though they had their value, I rarely stopped to reflect on the nature of a “typical” day.

But post-retirement? The word typical has taken on a brand-new color.

This morning, I woke up not to an alarm clock, but to the sweet melody of birds on my balcony. That itself makes the day atypical by old standards.

I sipped my green tea slowly — no rush, no deadline. I glanced at my art corner and found myself pulled toward a half-finished canvas.

A few brushstrokes turned into a meditative hour of painting — abstract colors merging with emotion, perhaps echoing the untamed joy of an unplanned life.

After that, I strolled into my little writing nook, where my fingers danced over the keyboard. I wrote verses for a poem titled “Dil Ki Dhun,” inspired by the music I’d heard the night before.

A smile crept onto my face. This wasn’t a typical 9-to-5 life — but it felt rich, free, and uniquely mine.

So, coming back to the prompt — was today typical?

Maybe not. And maybe that’s the beauty of it.

The Myth of a Typical Day

Let’s take a moment to explore: what is a typical day anyway?

Is it repetition? Routine? Predictable tasks that fit into boxes? Perhaps. But then again, even on the most repetitive days, there’s always a nuance. A new thought, a smile from a stranger, a message from an old friend, a flicker of creativity — all these elements turn the ordinary into something subtly extraordinary.

You see, the moment we start paying attention, even the typical becomes unusual. A walk in the park may seem routine — until a child waves at you and reminds you of your granddaughter.

A home-cooked meal might be regular — until a forgotten flavor stirs memories of your childhood.

We live in loops, yes — but within those loops, moments blossom like wildflowers. And that’s where the magic lies.

Embracing the Unpredictable

In fact, retirement has taught me that the less typical my day is, the more alive I feel.

One day I might go kayaking; the next, I’m painting with my granddaughter. Some days I wake up philosophical, others poetic. There are days when I do absolutely nothing and still feel deeply satisfied.

Not every day needs to be filled with productivity. Some days are for doing, some for being.

And then there are the “surprise” days — the ones where a call from an old friend turns into hours of laughter, or a walk in the rain leaves your heart brimming with nostalgia. Those days are unplanned gifts, wrapped in the present.

Anchored in Small Rituals

That said, I do have rituals — gentle anchors that give structure without rigidity. Morning tea. Journaling. Reading under a lamp before bed.

These little habits don’t make my day typical, but they give it rhythm, like the recurring chorus in a song.

They help me pause, reflect, and cherish.

So maybe a day doesn’t need to be “atypical” or “extraordinary” to matter. It simply needs to be conscious. Lived with attention. Colored with intent.

Final Reflection

So… was today typical?

I smiled at the question again. Yes, it had my usual tea, my familiar desk, my daily writing. But it also had a spontaneous poem, an unexpected phone call, and a moment of gratitude as I watched the sunset.

If this is what “typical” looks like now — a dance between routine and surprise, between rest and reflection — then I am deeply content.

Dear friends, I invite you to ask yourself this question too: Was today typical? And if so, what little spark made it feel special?

Remember, even in the ordinary, life hides its treasures. You only have to look closely.

Until next time,
Stay curious, stay joyful.
– Vijay Verma
www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #mental health, #wellness, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-2014, featured, health, writing