Here we are at the last Monday in 2024, the last Monday of this Making Space series, and at the beginning of one of those weird feeling weeks because somehow today is supposed to be a regular day but tomorrow night is festive and Wednesday is a whole new calendar year. Go figure!
So, on a pretend-normal day at the beginning of an odd week, I’m recommending that we create space for ourselves by having some extra fun.
Yeah, I know, you probably have to work or maybe you are thinking about future things, or planning how to spend New Year’s Eve, or juggling various things for kids, relatives, and yourselves, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t add some fun.
Not ‘feels like a whole other job’ level fun, but something that feels doable.
Maybe you blast your favourite music in the car on your way somewhere.
Maybe you draw on your post-it notes for a few minutes.
Maybe you have something special for your lunch.
Maybe you watch a cartoon with the kids over supper.
Maybe you play a board game, or tell some joke, or read a funny book.
Maybe you call a friend and keep each other company while your do some filing or do the dishes or fill out grant applications.
Maybe you gather a few favourite memes and send them to your friend group.
Maybe you lie on the floor with your dog and tell her that she is the best pup.
Really, you can do anything at all as long as it falls into the range of ‘fun and not very much hassle to arrange.’ After all, this is about creating SPACE not about creating extra work.
However you decide to add extra fun to the last Monday of the year and the first day of this odd week, I wish you ease in the process.
And, of course, I offer a couple of possible practices in case you want to create space with movement or with mindfulness. Remember, that these are just suggestions – you are the boss of you!
Our suggested movement practice for today is The Most Fun 15 Minute Cardio Dance Fitness Workout EVERThe Studio by Jamie Kinkeade (I don’t know if it’s the *most* fun ever but it IS pretty enjoyable!)
And seeing as we are working with fun as our theme, here’s Add Fun to Your Life (Guided Meditation) from Inner Space Meditation. We might as well add fun wherever we can, right?
As we get closer to the end of 2024, the posts about resolutions, making changes, and “self improvement” are getting more frequent and more intense.
If planning new things is appealing to you at the moment, then have it.
I don’t object to the practice, I object to the idea that we have to have everything figured out right now, that we have to take ourselves away from holiday, end-of-year mode and jump right into something new.
And I hate the ‘do it now!’ ‘last chance!’ ‘be better!’ tone of a lot of those posts.
Please don’t let all that pressure crowd into your space.
It’s ok to be seeking rest, to be reflective, to take things as slowly as feels right to you. It’s ok to keep making space for yourself to be the way you want to be right now.
And whether or not you feel like moving into goal-setting mode, please remember that there is nothing wrong with you, that you aren’t a project, and that you do not need to be fixed.
If you want to add something new to your life, if you want to change something about your systems or your processes, or you want to make your life better in some way, and the new year seems like a good time to do that, please forge ahead.
Just be kind to yourself in the process.
But if all of these posts and ideas about resolutions and changes just feel like more pressure and if they make you feel like you’re not getting enough space, then you don’t have to change anything.
You don’t need resolutions just because there’s a new calendar year.
You don’t have to be on a constant mission of self improvement.
You do not have to add more tasks just for the sake of adding them.
And if you think you might like to make some changes, or to add some more interesting things, some more fun or some more challenges to your life, you do not have to start on January 1.
You can pick a convenient time of your own choosing when you feel you will have the resources to follow through on your plans.
As you may know, every January, I write a series of Go Team posts that are about encouraging you to start the year with self-kindness, to be realistic about your interests, your capacity, and your time, and, if you are trying to build new habits, that it’s ok to go gently.
Within those posts I like to remind people that I’m there to provide support and encouragement, not pressure. No one has to start anything new in January. They can start whenever they like.
Personally, while I start some things in January, I have also labelled the month as Planuary because that’s when I like to sit down and think about the months ahead the best I can.
So, keep in mind that this is your life and these are your plans.
Trying to cram yourself into someone else’s idea of what you should do won’t leave you with a lot of space for yourself.
So I hope that you will reject, to the best of your ability, any outside pressure to proceed in a way that doesn’t serve you well.
I hope you’ll take up the space and time that you need to figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it.
And I wish you ease throughout that process.
With all of that said, let’s check out the suggested practices for today. After all, we need space both now and in the future and sometimes we have to work on both of those things at once.
Our suggested movement practice is a Short Wake Up Flow from Yoga with Adriene
Still image shows the instructor in a low lunge with her hands in prayer position in front of her chin/chest. She is on a yoga mat in front of a window. The words ‘Wake Up Flow’ are overlaid on the image.
And our mindfulness practice is Evolving Through Life’s Cycles from Great Meditation
Still images shows an cartoon-style illustration of a young person with long hair sitting cross-legged with their arms resting on the tops of their legs, fingers curled, hands are palm upwards. There are illustrations of swamp-style plants in the background and around the edges. The title of the video is in dark green in the upper right.
Before we get to today’s suggested practices, I’m inviting you to give some thought to future you. *
And the future you I’d like you to consider is the person who will be trying to get things done next December.
What does that person need to know?
What have you figured out in the process this year that you want to make note of for the future?
What expectations (yours and others’) can you work to change now, so that future version of yourself can have things a little easier?
What reminders can you set for future you?
A few years ago, I got into the habit of putting reminders into my calendar for this time next year and it has made a huge difference.
One year I set a reminder for myself to buy new Christmas lights at the end of November the following year.
Another time, I put a reminder in my phone telling me where I was storing the Christmas tablecloths so that future me wouldn’t have to scramble to find them.
And I have also included reminders to help somebody with something earlier in December then I did this year, reminders of when to do specific holiday related tasks, and reminders of tips for gift shopping.
Even though I often have trouble envisioning a future time, this time of year seems to be an exception.
There’s something about being in the thick of it right now that makes it really clear to me what I will need next time December rolls around. Right now, it’s much easier to imagine a future version of what I’m doing at the moment, especially a version that I could shape to make things more straightforward for future me.
Every time I have done this, it has both come in handy and I have been surprised by the information. I always completely forget that I’ve set these reminders and then I’m really grateful to past me when they pop up.
And on top of the straight-up utility of this process, it feels really good to take good care of myself this way. I can only assume that it would be the same for you. And, obviously, I’m all for things that help us feel better in the moment and in the future.
As for feeling better in the moment, I have included a movement practice and a meditation practice below. You are free to choose either or both of these or to choose something else of your liking to create space for yourself today
No matter what you choose to do, please take good care of yourself and be kind. May you have ease today, and always.
Still image is of the instructor, wearing exercise clothes and sitting in her wheelchair, leaning to one side as she ‘swims’ one arm forward. She is smiling and looks like she is enjoying herself.
And our mindfulness practice for today is Guided Breathing Meditation To Relax And Be Calm from Mindful Peace
Still image is of a ring of light with a dark centre with beams emanating from it and the words ‘Just Breathe (Calm and Relaxed)’ overlaid in white.
*If today isn’t the right day for this, consider doing this type of thinking sometime soon instead. And, of course, be kind to yourself when and if you do this type of thinking. The goal is to make next year easier while this year’s events and activities are fresh in your mind, this is not about adding complications for future you.
Today is a good day to practice checking in with yourself.
It’s all too easy to just let yourself get carried along with whatever is going on, to carry on with you to do list, to get caught up in someone else’s plan.
This is especially true at this time of year when there is a lot going on, a lot of traditions, a lot of expectations, and a hearty dose of ambient stress.
If we don’t check in with ourselves, if we don’t make a little space, we can build up a feeling of being out of sorts, jangled, or distressed and not even realize it until we are overwhelmed.
Checking in with ourselves from time to time can help us to feel steadier, more at ease, and less likely to get tossed about by an unexpected storm of emotions.
Please note: This is as much of a ‘note to self’ as a note to you. I do NOT remember to do check-ins all the time but when I do plan some throughout the day then it really helps.
You don’t have to create an elaborate check-in ritual (but you can if that’s helpful!), all you need to do is pick a few times to pause (I use a timer or an alarm on my wrist spy) and ask yourself: How am I feeling? Is there anything I need?
Maybe all is well and you can carry on with what you were doing.
Maybe you need a few deep breaths or a few minutes to yourself.
Perhaps you need to stretch or get moving a little (or a lot).
Maybe you need a glass of water, a cup of tea, or a snack.
Maybe you need to get away from that friend or relative who is taking up your physical or mental space at the moment.
Maybe you need a nap.
Whatever your check-in reveals, start by giving yourself a gold star for checking in -⭐️-then do your best to give yourself what you need in the moment.
And, yes, I know that it won‘t always be possible to give yourself what you need but I have often found that identifying what I need helps even if I can’t have it right now.
For example, if my check-in reveals that I need some exercise but I can’t take the time to really dig into an exercise session right now, I’ll do a few stretches and maybe dance around a bit. AND I’ll be aware that I am a bit out of sorts because I need exercise so I should be extra patient with myself (and with others) until I can really meet that need. I don’t always succeed with my planned patience, of course, but it works often enough to be worth it.
Whatever you do today, I hope you can make space for yourself and that you can find some ease.
And if your space making includes movement or mindfulness, here are your suggested videos for today:
For our movement practice suggestion, here’s Loosen Hips and Remove Low Back Pain from Kaleigh Cohen Strength
Still image shows the instructor in exercise clothes sitting on a mat with one leg extended and the other folded as it would be if she were sitting cross-legged and she has one hand pressing gently on her knee and the other pressing gently on her calf.
And for our mindfulness practice, here’s Tara Brach with Arriving in Mindful Presence
Still image is a photo of a filed of grass lit by the rising sun.
Wishing you ease, fun, and peace of mind, today and always. 💚
I was trying to decide between two different approaches for the first part of today’s post but then I remembered that I am the boss of me so I decided to put both of them in here.
Approach #1 – Add Some Fun
Today, I’d like to invite you to make your tasks a bit more fun.
Yeah, I know you probably have some things to do that are no fun at all and there might not even be a way of making them fun. You may just have to power through those – set a timer, curse the whole time, do whatever you need to do to get to the finish line.Here’s hoping those ones go quick.
But there are other tasks that are kind of routine, maybe even tedious, that you could have a bit of fun with.
With those tasks, you could play some music, or put on comfy clothes, or put a movie on in the background, or listen to a podcast, or challenge yourself to do them within a certain amount of time, or ‘race’ a friend to the end of a set of tasks you are both trying to finish. Maybe some good snacks or a fancy cup of tea or coffee would make a difference. Or perhaps you can set a timer and get up and move around whenever it goes off – a different movement each time or weirder versions of the same one. Or, you might make a chart on a piece of paper and cross off your tasks, or make a big star on the paper for each one you complete.
Really, anything that adds a bit of fun can make your list feel easier and will make your day flow more smoothly. And I vote yes on both of those ideas!
Approach #2: Give Yourself What You Need
Ok, this isn’t drastically different than Approach #1 but the purpose is a little different.
This one is about making yourself more comfortable (without guilt!) while getting things done.
Lots of times, I try to power through my tasks even when I need a break, need some water, or I’m sitting in an uncomfortable way. It just seems like too much trouble to stop/get water/shift or do whatever needs to be adjusted. Unfortunately, the task then often goes on longer than I was expecting and I end up kind of cranky and disheartened.
So, space making friends, please, please, please, give yourself what you need and go easy on yourself.
Need a big list? Make one!
Need the music blaring? Turn it up!
Need constant snacks? Start pouring food into bowls!
Need company? Ask someone to join you in person, on the phone, or virtually.
Need a break every 5 minutes? Take one! Then take another!
Need to stomp and growl while you work? Put on your big boots and get that growl rumbling.
Need a cozy blanket around your shoulders or a fancy hat*? Dig ’em out and put ’em on.
Give yourself the things you need (or the closest version you can manage) whenever you can.
You may have a long to do list but you don’t have to suffer (even in small ways) while you make your way through it.
*****
Please note: Taking things off of your list is ALWAYS an option. Keep an eye out for things you can drop. Once again, you have my permission and if anyone gives you grief, send them to me.
There! See why I couldn’t decide which to post?
Anyway, whatever you are up to today, I hope you can find a way to give yourself some space.
I wish you ease and self-kindness, as always!
Here are our practices for today:
Our movement practice today is a 10-minute Dance Exercise to Release Stress & Anxiety from Tamara Nazon. I like how she talks about creating space within ourselves with these movements.
Our mindfulness practice for today is Guided Meditation | Creating Mental Space | Mindfulness Exercises from Mindfulness Exercises.
* I have a floppy white summer hat that I sometimes put on when I feel stressed and then I say in a haughty voice, “Fancy ladies never get stressed.” The combination and the idea is so ridiculous that it makes me laugh every time. I may just be easily entertained. 😉
My initial plans for today’s post were lost in the hubbub of pre-holiday traffic (a.k.a. my errands took so long that I ran out of time to follow my initial plan.)
Sooooooo…
I’m back to being a good example.
Well, ok, let’s just say that I am definitely an example of some sort and forge ahead.
Once I realized that I couldn’t do my initial plan and since I have promised myself that I will minimize feeling rushed whenever I can, I switched to my backup plan – figure out 3 things.
In practice, that works like this: I can’t follow my plan so what three things will let me call this post done?
Thing one: A self-kindness reminder
Thing two: A movement practice
Thing three: A mindfulness practice.
So, I decided to use my three things plan as my self-kindness reminder. Scaling back this post, accepting that I couldn’t follow my plan, and recognizing that imperfect but done is much better than perfect but unfinished are all part and parcel of me being kind to myself.
Then I searched for videos of practices that appealed to me at the moment, popped them in this post and added all the connecting bits. And I’m done with a few minutes to spare!
So, space making friends, if your day is getting a little out of hand and your time is tightening around your tasks (and probably around your brain), then I invite you to consider a similar procedure for your plans for today.
Acknowledge the need to change the plan, scale back to 3 (or so) things that will get the thing done, be annoyed at having to be imperfect but do it anyway, and be kind to yourself about the whole process and feel good about having done what you set out to do.
Wishing you ease and space today, no matter what procedures, processes, or plans you follow!
Sidenote: If the thing you were working on turns out to not be all the important, you also have the option to ditch it completely! Tell ’em I said you could!
Today’s movement practice is the happy result of a YouTube search for ‘fun dance workout’ This is Lift and Bloom‘s 10 Minute Christmas Dance Workout.
Still image is of a woman in exercise clothes and a pair of headband antlers, she is smiling at the camera. The name of the video is on a card overlaid on the left side of the image.
And for something a little different today, here’s a Movement Meditation from Living Bliss Yoga.
Still image is of a woman in exercise clothes standing on a yoga mat in between two windows in a studio. She is in motion with her arms raised to shoulder height and her hands in front of her.
Today is a good day to ask yourself three questions as you envision the days ahead:
How do I want to feel?
In an ideal world, what would need to happen for me to feel that way?
And, finally, since we don’t live in an ideal world…
What is the shortcut to feeling the way I want to feel?
While I know that I can’t necessarily control how I feel at a given moment, I always find it helpful to ask these questions when I am busy, stressed, or have a lot to do.
Focusing on how I want to feel (and how to create my best chances to feel that way) helps me to figure out my priorities. It helps me to identify key tasks and to make decisions about the other items on my list.
For example, on Friday, I had a get-together for a group of close friends and I had envisioned serving a few special snacks and making something really cool for our gift exchange.
Alas, my Friday went a bit sideways, as days sometimes do, and I found myself at 3:30 with a lot of tasks and not nearly enough time to do them.
So, I asked myself how I wanted to feel that evening and I settled on ‘relaxed.’
And I knew I wouldn’t feel relaxed if I tried to rush through my too-long list.
In fact, having lots of experience with trying to push through too many tasks in too little time (I don’t always remember to ask myself the important questions above), I knew that that would result in me feeling flustered, bedraggled and kinda cranky as the party started. And that is not a recipe for a good time – it is no fun having to ‘catch up’ to everyone else’s relaxation levels!
So, I thought about what I needed to feel relaxed and settled on the shortest possible list to create those conditions. I did a bit of tidying up, took the dog for a walk while I brainstormed a quick but fun thing for the gift exchange, decided on a quick supper and a shortened version of the special snacks.
And I got dressed for the party as soon as it was feasible instead of leaving it until the last minute. That way, no matter what else got done, I was already ready for the fun part of the evening.
It ended up being a really fun night that was made even better by the fact that I was relaxed right from the start.
Now, I recognize that my party example is pretty low stakes compared to some of the other things you or I might be trying to get done between now and the end of the year but I think that using ‘How do I want to feel?’ as a guideline could be beneficial now matter how complicated the situation might be.
You may not be able to generate the perfect conditions to feel the way you want to feel but I think you’ll be able to give yourself a little more space and to reduce your stress a bit.
Whether you start with the questions above or try something completely different, I wish you ease and lots of space for yourself today. 💚
Now, onto our suggested practices:
For our movement today, here’s Dr. Andrea Furlan with Senior Fitness Made Simple: 10 Minute Chair Routine
Still image description: the instructor, who is wearing exercise clothes, is seated in a chair and leaning over to one side to stretch the side of her body. There is an end table next to her and the exercise space has a wooden floor and beige walls.
Our mindfulness practice for today is a 5 Minute Meditation for Relaxation and Positive Energy from Lavendaire
Still image description: The instructor is sitting cross legged on a couch with her eyes closed, her face relaxed, and her arms position do that the backs of her hands are resting on her knees and one of her gingers is curled to meet her thumb. Everything in the photo is in a restful shade – grey, green, or white.
It’s the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and, as a result, I’m thinking about themes of rest, renewal, and stillness. Well, I’ve been thinking about those things for ages, really, but they are especially relevant today.
I was told this morning that the word solstice is the combination of the Latin words ‘sol’ (sun) and ‘sistere’ (cause to stand – i.e. stop/be still) and that it is connected to the fact that, to us, the sun seems to stay in the same spot (in its seasonal path) for these few days of winter before it appears to start moving in the opposite direction.
If the sun can take a little rest right now, surely we are justified in seeking the same thing, right?
I’m kind of making a joke there, making light of the fact that because of the ambient pressure for us all to work, work, work all the time, we end up feeling like we have to explain why we are resting. And using the sun’s rest as an explanation feels pretty justified, right?
I wish we didn’t feel that way since rest is actually part of the cycle of our lives, not something we have to earn.
We don’t actually owe ANYONE every minute of our days, even if the world at large tries to convince us that we do.
Yet, even though we know that rest is part of our lives and we don’t need to earn it, it’s still hard to actually rest in the midst of this busy time of year in our perpetually busy culture. Our to do lists are set, our plans are generally in place, and we have made commitments.
If you want to read and think more about rest and the social forces that benefit from pressuring us to work then Tricia Hersey‘s The Nap Ministry is a good place to start.
So, if we can’t just take the day off today, what can we do?
My suggestion is to start slow, to finish slow, or to slow down in the middle – a.k.a. scheduling a break that involves a low-key activity so my rest doesn’t feel like I am ‘sitting around doing nothing.’
Because that feeling of ‘doing nothing’ gets my brain churning about all the things I *should* (shudder – I hate that word) be doing instead. If I can tell myself ‘this is my reading time’ then I can usually shush my brain and take that rest.
For me, this might look like planning to spend the first 15 minutes (or more!) after breakfast just reading and drinking tea instead of jumping into my to do list right away.
Or it might look like choosing to do some yoga, to chat with my sister, or to do some drawing in the middle of my day instead of scurrying to the next thing.
Or it might look like getting ready for bed a little bit earlier so I have time to listen to some music and putter around before reading, drawing, or listening to a podcast to settle down before sleep, instead of trying to ‘just finishing this one thing.’
Making these spaces for myself, taking things slowly at a few points in the day makes all the difference in how flustered I feel. And when I feel less flustered, I can find more fun and satisfaction in the things I have to do and the things I choose to do.
Those spaces help me feel like I am living a life, not just trying to get stuff done.
I invite you to find your own way to take a break, to start slow, to ease your way into your day. Perhaps not calling it a break will make your brain more willing to cooperate.
Well, with that said, and with the hope that you can find some ease today, here are our suggested practices.
I have two Solstice-themed suggestions in each category because I couldn’t decide between them but feel free to also choose your own type of movement and your own approach to mindfulness. After all, you are the boss of you and you get to decide!
Still image shows the instructor sitting on a chair in a corner studio with her arms raised out to the sides and her eyes closed.
And here’s a longer practice Day 21: Winter Solstice Reflection Flow/ Merry & Mindful from YogaInMe
Still image shows the instructor in a corner studio lying on her back with one leg outstretched and she is holding her other leg folded toward her chest with both hands.
Our first mindfulness practice is a short Winter Solstice Mediation from Meta Moon Yoga
still image shows a drone view of a winter road surrounded by evergreens with soft snow on all the surfaces and the light is that soft blue that happens during a snowfall.
And here’s a longer Winter Solstice Yoga Nidra meditation from Ally Boothroyd.
still image shows a woman lying in the snow looking peaceful with her eyes closed, she is wearing a winter coat and she has grey/black hair that is resting on the snow around her face.
There are countdowns for all kinds of things going on right now and those countdowns can amplify our stress.
Please be kind to yourself and remember that those countdowns are largely arbitrary.
Yes, there are some things in our lives that have fixed times and dates but a lot of things can be far more flexible if we need them to be.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed about your plans and tasks right now, please take a look at them and see which ones have fixed deadlines (i.e. a government application that must be submitted by December 31) and which ones are actually more flexible (the timing of a meeting or a meal).
Personally, I have shifted a couple of projects into the new year and moved some plans with friends from this weekend to next.
These changes were prompted, in part, by my therapist’s question, “What happens if these things *don’t* get done before the end of the year?” which led me to realize that I could actually let go of the feeling of urgency around many of my tasks.
So, Space-Making-Friends, I invite you to do the same thing.
Look for flexibility in the nooks and crannies of your to do lists and free up some of that energy for the tasks, plans, and projects that have more strict deadlines.
And yes, I know it is not always possible to be more flexible and if that’s the case for you then I hope you can find flexibility in your expectations instead. You don’t have to seek perfection – there are a lot of layers of really, really good imperfection that are worth exploring.
Wishing you ease, as always. Please be good to yourself.
Here are our suggested practices for today:
This movement practice is a little different but I really enjoyed this Energy Boost Routine from Brain Education TV – I especially love the instructor’s energy. (This video includes tapping techniques which may not be everyone’s thing.)
Still image description: a photo of the instructor, a woman in loose exercise clothes who exudes a welcoming energy, standing on an orange mat in a studio and reaching overhead with her right arm. The right side of the image features the title of the video in large white letters overlaid on the image.
Today’s mindfulness practice is 5 Minute Expanding Awareness Meditation (guided) / Interoception & Proprioception from Nathan Sellers – Heal. Grow. Become – This one is quite woo and I’m not sure if this actually will help with interoception/ proprioception but I enjoyed the practice all the same.
Still image is a photo from the shore of a clear rippling lake that is surrounded by tree-covered mountains on both sides. The video title is overlaid on the image.
Here we are at December 15th almost halfway through the month and I think this is a good time to take a breather.
Yes, I know that you probably can’t just take today off and rest completely but I am hoping that you can keep an eye out for possibilities for more rest and then take them when they arise.
So, with the idea of giving your brain a break – something I am hoping to carry forward beyond today – I have been thinking about what I can dial back on.
Now, to be clear, while I am someone who always has a lot on the go, I am not someone who goes in for elaborate celebrations or over-the-top events.
I am, however, someone with ADHD who can’t always accurately calculate the time/energy/effort that will be required to do the things I have set out to do and, as a result, I can get overwhelmed with even the fun or interesting things I had hoped to do.
So, dialing back often becomes a VERY important process for me* and it may be useful for you, too.
If you are finding that the thoughts of the weeks ahead are exhausting you already, perhaps there are places where you can dial things back so you have more energy for the things that are really important to you.
For me, dialing back often involves identifying the most minimal version of the task that will still count as done.
So if, for example, I was planning a dinner for my friends and I had envisioned cooking something elaborate, my dialed-back version might involve ordering food, cooking something in the slow cooker, or changing the gathering to a games night instead. I would still get the fun of hanging out with my friends but I could take away the parts that feels overwhelming.
Or if I had a report due and I had planned on designing a cover and doing some more elaborate formatting, a dialed-back version might mean a black and white digital version. (Or I might ask someone else to design the cover and do the formatting.**)
If decorating felt too overwhelming, I might just pick a few key items to put up around the house and leave the rest for another year. If you make the decision to only put up a few things then you close the loop on decorating and it doesn’t hang over you as a task undone.
Dialing back on these things is not about depriving yourself, it’s about giving yourself more space and more energy to do the things that are actually important to you right now.
Dialing back is choosing which things are fine to stay small so you will have room to go big in other areas.
Not everything needs to go up to 11 – some things will serve you perfectly well at level 5, 3, 1, or even 0.
And even though there are often other people involved in these things, I often find that my overwhelm has arisen internally, that I am the one who has the vision that is too big for the time available. So, for me, the key is usually in taking the time to notice the dials on my tasks and then turning them in a direction that suits me best.
If you find that the same thing happens with your dials, I hope that you can adjust them as needed.
And as you figure these things out today (or whenever!), I wish you ease and as much peace of mind as you can muster.
And with rest and ‘dialing back’ in mind, here are our suggested practices for today. Please remember that you are the boss of you and that I am hoping you will do what serves you best, whether it involves these videos or something else entirely.
Please be kind to yourselves, Space Makers!
For our movement practice today, here’s Restful Movement (Theme: Community) from Queer Yoga North:
Still image description: a brightly-coloured title card featuring graphics of a rainbow, a series of hearts in rainbow colours, various brightly-coloured polygons, and a drawing of a white cat in a rainbow bow tie. The title of the video is in a handwritten font on the right side and the background of the image is a vibrant green.
Still image description: a photo in the forest with the trunks of giant trees all around with big spaces in between them, most of the trees are too tall to see their branches and the scene is very light for a forest floor so the top branches must have space between them as well. . Some trees appear to be redwoods but others seem to be evergreens with mossy trunks. There are rocks, fallen logs, and fallen needles on the forest floor.
*Yes, I also work on trying to understand the scale and scope of my tasks but sometimes I don’t realize that I haven’t done that until it is far too late.
** If your budget allows, consider this your permission to hire someone to do some aspects of your tasks for you – even household tasks. Lots of people need extra money this time of year and I have often hired a friend to help with tasks I was dreading or that I couldn’t get around to. I have also traded annoying tasks with friends so, for example, I could make their phone calls while they ran my errands.