The last few weeks have been FULL. There have been coffee dates, new restaurants, craft nights, bible groups, work, uni, everything. More than three or four different appointments every day. I know that everybody is just as busy – there’s probably tons of people who are flourishing on the schedule I have – but I also know that I can’t function for a long time like this.
I, and you as well I believe, need to find a way to be productive, have fun and not crash in front of Netflix after a few weeks, tired out and exhausted, especially with the holidays coming up. We won’t get better if we are feeling stressed all the time. Our schedules will never be free of appointments miraculously. We need to make conscious decisions for a better rested life. These are the ones I want to try.
I always need to remind myself: You don’t need to go to brunch, a coffee date and dinner on the same day. Especially not if I have things to do and sleep to count in as well. Rather obvious, but still something I forget all the time.
Rest and get eight hours every night. I know you can survive on seven hours, but surviving is not flourishing.
Everybody has one time of day he is most productive. If you work best in the morning, then use that time sitting at your desk working, not brunching with friends, cleaning your house or going to the doctors. Those are all important tasks, but you can still set appointments in the afternoon. Find out at what time you can concentrate best, and plan your tasks around it.
For me, that’s reading my bible and spending time with Jesus everyday and making time to go running (outside) every week. I know these might seem like things to do in less stressful times, but I also know that if I neglect them I will feel like a chicken with its head cut off very quickly and not the rest I should feel.
I want to spend my alone time reading books, learning, creating – not just consuming TV shows. I can only do that if I’m not exhausted and have no energy to do anything apart from watching Netflix. If your downtime is actually giving you energy, not a bad conscious, you’re on the right track.
I really want to do better in this aspect of my life in the New Year. I know that one reason for my full schedule is FOMO and also fear of being alone, so I’m working on that to. Is there any tips you can give on this subject as well?
Hanna’s Places is a green lifestyle magazine written by Hanna Ulatowski. It’s all about slowing down in a fast-paced society and finding ways to live a more sustainable, simple lifestyle.