When I’m writing my notes I always put when the next session will be. It makes me feel like time is speeding up. As I write this blog post September is almost over! Yesterday I talked with someone about how she heard on the radio we should start getting ready for Christmas with the delays in shipping and the supply chain issues. That makes me feel like the year is almost over! Last night when I went to bed I was sure it was Wednesday but it was still Monday! I don’t know when my life started to move so incredibly fast and I’m not sure what to do about it.
One thing that contributes to this time warp I’ve found myself in is that I overplan. I am a certified overplanner. I plan at least twice as many things as I ever have time for. I also grossly underestimate how long it takes to do something. I go and I go and I go, and so it’s no wonder that time moves so fast for me.
If you’re always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you’re in?
Nanette Matthews
Do you also have trouble slowing down? Are you prone to fall into the trap of feeling as if you must be doing something all of the time in order to be worthy? Maybe it’s a fear of not getting enough done, that if I slow down my world will come crashing down around me. It might be that I’m afraid if I slow down I won’t like what I see in the stillness.
Here are some of the things I’m trying to do in order to combat this feeling of constantly needing to be doing something, or several somethings.
I nurture my hobbies.
I am discovering things that bring me joy and trying out things I let go years ago. I love to build with Lego and I have been cross stitching more lately. I’m even making more time for Dungeons and Dragons. These things help me feel excited and that makes me want to spend more time doing them.
I remind myself that resting is a part of my job.
And not just sleeping either. There are times when I neglect my sleeping schedule to stay up and do just one more thing. But in this case I’m talking more about resting. Lying in bed on a Saturday morning and reading. Sitting on the couch and playing silly games on my phone. Making time to talk to a friend. These are things that help me rest when I need it.
I make an effort to be wary of social media.
I’m not saying social media is the worst, because there are a lot of things on social media that I love. But I do have to be careful. I am careful about who I follow so that I see content that is uplifting and fun for me. If I need to do research on social issues, I don’t use social media for that. I use social media for connection, humor and inspiration.
I honor my nature.
I am inherently more of an introvert. Because of that I need plenty of time alone to recharge my batteries. Sometimes this looks like staying late at the office for alone time or taking a drive by myself. I remind myself that I am not the only one who benefits when I take good care of myself.
It’s not enough to do these things. I also need to be mindful of what I’m telling myself while I’m doing them. If I rest but I’m telling myself that I should be doing something else then I won’t feel rested when I’m done. If I am cross stitching or planning a campaign but I tell myself I should be doing something else instead I won’t be able to really enjoy it. Going through the motions is only one part of the solution. I need to show up and do one thing and do it fully and completely without judging myself for it.
Even when I’m doing a good job at all of these things, time still can race past me. But, at the end of a long week, if I spent time working, nurturing myself and making time for my family then I know that at the very least it was time well…
