How to Rest.

I came home at 10:30pm to a bowl of water and cat food on my porch. I have two cats. But that food was not mine. I had been gone since around 7:15 that morning and my tortoiseshell cat had been begging to explore, so naturally, she was nowhere to be found when I left the house. After work I had tutoring and dog sitting. My cat definitely relayed all her complaints as I walked up the sidewalk with my arms full of leftover fast food, Christmas presents from co-workers, and books from everything (I always carry too many books and there is no cure for that!).

It is great that I have thoughtful neighbors who will make sure my fuzzy companions are kept healthy. But it also sheds light on the fact that I might be taking on too much. It is easier for me to stay busy, but I think that busyness in my life has turned into obsession not to be bored. And you know, it's good to be bored sometimes. I've read in many different arenas that boredom develops creativity. I consider myself a creative person, so I should look for ways to build my creativity! The following lists some habits that I intend to develop not just in the new year, but hopefully this weekend. It's never too late to start a new goal!

The more we learn, the more we discover what we do not know.

-Yoda

Pause: Read More!

I've stated before in this blog that I am going to crash my towering TBR shelves by putting a giant dent in my over-accumulated book heap. I know, a true book hoarder would not say there's no such thing as too many books, but for my apartment, there absolutely is! The fact that I enjoy writing so much gives a reason for me to create more of my own stories if I'm growing out of my already gathered collection. I've always loved to read, and it is a good excuse to give my body a chance to relax, to train my mind on something other than counting numbers, watching the clock, or running from one place to another. Ever since I was little, this has been a favorite pasttime because it teaches me to relax and to be in the moment.

Sit: Breathe Deeply.

I've started practicing what I guess is meditation, though I took it from a book that expounded on the health benefits of breathing deeply. This sort of meditation, then, is easier than my awkward yoga. Basically, I choose one or two songs that are calming that last approximately five minutes. Then I sit there and don't really think about the words, but just about breathing deeply. It allows me not to think about my running list of things to do, my list of running goals, or even goals I need to accomplish tomorrow. I am just considering breathing. Basic. I will talk about this in a later blog, but I also hope that it helps my stress level at work. This technique is something new in my life, but that I've noticed creates a focused emphasis on slowing down.

Look: Smile More.

Speaking of work, I have had several conversations with my supervisor and coworkers about the importance of taking time out to do seemingly meaningless things throughout the day. The reason is two-fold: 1) It allows me to get out of work mode and into a "happy to see you" mode, both of which are important in my job. 2) It restarts my mind by separating my personal thoughts from my problem, to face it head on with fresh perspective. This helps me to be even more productive in the long run, while building relationships that should last longer than my stress. After all, holding a smile for twenty seconds changes the way a body reacts!

Retreat: Say No.

Additionally, I'm learning when to say no. I've tried that at work a couple times and of course my boss looks at me and shakes her head. Never hurts to give it a try! This is definitely the hardest one for me. I have a personality that wants to try everything, so if someone offers something that sounds fun, sure, I want to do it. But there are times when I am just overloaded and need to choose vegging out in favor of hanging out with friends. Honestly, I've even had to say no to myself, not just outside commitments. I've had to teach myself that it's okay not to reach a goal one day. Most of the time I'm pretty motivated, so if I just give myself that break, I shouldn't lose momentum. Even if I did, the new routine might improve the way that I am looking at the task later.

A wild person with a calm mind can make anything.

-Eric Maisel

Invest: Find a Project.

Now my challenge is not to find just any project to check of a completion list, but to find a project that is FUN! What makes you excited? What makes you happy? What makes you relaxed? Try this at least a couple times a week and I can bet you at least 80 percent of the time, you will feel less anxious. There are some times, situations, or moments in life that drag us down and remind us that life is hard. But if you can destract yourself with something beautiful, just for a moment, it will be worth it!

All in all...

These are just a few things that I have found help me to manage my time and to focus on some self-care at the same time. I also just ordered a five-year journal, which allows me to observe my reactions for every day of the year. As I go back to the same day for five years, I can see how I have changed and what insights might have stayed the same. Everything is a constant work in progress, but with the help of friends and learning to give myself grace, I can take a step towards a healthy, balanced life!