So far, so good at least.
In last week’s post, I told you about how I was going to “commute” to my desk by going for a short walk before work each morning (with a backup plan for an inside walk if necessary.)
My one week update?
I LOVE IT.
I’ve tried lots of different ways to get my weekday mornings in gear and I have had moderate success with some of them but none of the other things I’ve tried have felt as good, mentally and physically as this short walk before settling down to work each morning.
My walk somehow gives me energy AND helps coax my brain into focusing on the tasks ahead but that’s not the most important part of this whole practice.
By adding walking as a fixed task, I am creating a clear division between the ‘at home’ and the ‘at work’ parts of my morning.
I don’t have a specific time to walk but I know that it is the deadline for the ‘at home’ part of my morning so anything that’s not related to work tasks has to be done before my walk. And, truth be told, I also include a few work-prep tasks like making a cup of tea (I put a cover on it so it doesn’t get cold), turning on my computer, and opening my notebook* to the page with my to do list on it.
Then I put on sunscreen and head out for around my neighbourhood**, walking fast enough to get my heart rate up a bit, and I’ve already noticed an improvement in how that little bit of exercise feels.
Some of the mornings I have chosen to listen to a podcast while I walk but other times I have mulled over a task on my list for the day so I could figure out a way to get started.
And every single time so far (yes, only 6 times but STILL!) I have been able to come home from my walk, head upstairs. and get down to work.
I haven’t hesitated, I haven’t gotten distracted, I haven’t started reading my book or gotten snagged by YouTube, I have barely even overthought it, I have just gone ahead with the first task of the day.
And it all feels great.
I am getting extra exercise on my own schedule (and at my own pace), I am creating a definite start time for my work (which by ADHD logic means I’m “allowed” to have a specific end time), and I just feel more even, balanced, and calm overall.
I know these good feelings aren’t solely due to the walks but I really believe that the walks were the missing piece in the puzzle and I’m so happy that I started them.
*Using a notebook instead of an app is contributing to my ability to get down to work right away because it limits how many tasks I can write down AND it forces me to prioritize long before I am actually sitting at my desk about to work. My notebook isn’t the focus of my post but if you want more commentary about the logistics of this, let me know and I will respond in the comments.
In other news, my notebook is very pretty…
** I have deliberately decided not to start taking Khalee because she would slow down my process for getting out of the house and because I don’t want to change her daily routine and create a complication in her routine. Also, that dog loves a good amble and I want to walk briskly.