It's that time of year where everyone begins to move back into their "normal ways".
(Normal meaning, little christmas cheer, friendly spirit and little notice to daily blessings. We become accustomed to this behavior over the holiday season.)
What is it about the holidays that brings everyone so close together and then suddenly retreats in a burst of energy directed to their old ways?Neighbors are in a hurry to drive to the grocery store or take their children where they need to go. College students drive fast to make it back to campus for their last semester of the year. Not to mention the beating your car takes over time as it starts up quickly after a cold night. The calm nature escapes and slowly but surely, everyone forgets to take a deep breath and say hello to their family and friends on the phone or two cities away.
It's natural habit to find yourself sleeping in that extra 5 - 10 - 30 minutes later in the winter. However, when it's creating such a rush in your morning, that you lose track of time to push start on your coffee maker or forget your fitness gear to work out later that evening, remember this is not only affecting your day, but how you impact others around you.By starting your day in a rush, you become unaware of your minimal sleep each night and the lack of proportioned caffeine.
If you are not living at your best each day, you are actually affecting your family, co-workers and others around you. They are becoming exposed to the minimal self-worth you are made of.This might be more frustrating for those around you rather than if you simply put your body- mind- soul need's first. Of course I am not saying to go into work, explaining to your manager that you were 2 hours late because your "body-mind-soul" needs came first today.
However, my hope for you is that through restructuring your time through minimal preparation, you can live a more functional and fully efficient lifestyle.
What I am saying is simply to take at least one night a week to to structure your life.
How can you structure your life every week?
Take 30 minutes to make a pot of coffee, jasmine green tea ( or whichever you prefer to calm your thinking), curl up with a throw on your couch, and write down 5 things that fluster your mind every week. I want you to recall if these things occur in the morning, lunch time or after dinner.
Once you have pinpointed exactly what time of day all of these "fluttering flusters" occur, determine a way to minimize the dilemma. An example of this would be to pack a salad for lunch with a can of soup prepared in a bag. This extra 10 minutes in the evening will save you 10 minutes in your morning.
After you restructure, implement your changes immediately to see the effects.
However, a week later, I want you to take another 30 minutes in your evening to reflect.
During Reflection:
This is your time to look at what you're proud of. Physically write this down on the same pad of paper or in a small notebook. Literally write out " I am proud of myself for preparing my work out clothes in my gym bag the night before I leave for work."
This will allow you to feel a sense of pride in yourself and accomplishment.
After all, you are taking your time out of your week to restructure your life.
- Reassure yourself that you've made healthy decisions in doing so.
- Continue onto the new week of any restructuring that may need to take place.
After
You will begin to feel a sense of rhythm to your new sense of style. Who knows, you might even have some free time available. I want to remind you, don't be afraid to sit in that same position, with your new mug from the holidays, and sip it. Literally, sip it slowly, and enjoy your personal time. You will feel renewed and refreshed.
