I have been trying really hard this year to observe what is happening in my life and how it makes me feel. That's the thing I have been missing since I stopped getting regular acupuncture (I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS MOOOOOONTH!!)-- the space that let me pause and see my anxiety, for example, for what it was. Paying attention to rhythms forces me to take that beat and notice before I react. This works with things that makes me anxious, but it also works with all feelings and with finding hiccups in my routines.
Here are a couple of concrete changes I have made recently that are making things go more smoothly:
Pack lunches in the morning. Yes, this makes my mornings a bit more hectic, and I am having a hard time getting out the door when my phone alarm tells me to, but, for some reason, the actual lunch packing part? Does not feel so shitty.
Buy 3 more twin duvet covers for downstairs, so I never have to wash comforters again. Now I have 6 in rotation for 3 beds, so there's always a clean one, and sheet laundry is less burdensome. I always had a cover on Harry's bed and noticed that his bed was a cinch compared to Jack and Coop, who have 2 comforters each so I can use one and wash one, but washing a duvet cover? WAY EASIER.
Take a walk in the afternoon. To make this happen, I had to get Minnie's stroller tires fixed (thorns! is what the bike store guy told me!). I love the opportunity to get more miles toward my (reach-- a big reach) 2024 in 2024 goal, and Minnie is at PRIME PARK AGE.
Have a regular library day. I mean, duh, right?
Work out right away and skip the time where I do Wordle and drink coffee. I had to do fasting labs after my yearly check up (let's talk cholesterol sometime soon, yes?), so I couldn't have coffee until after I got the kids off to school (dreadful). But the part that worked really well was the working out first thing. I could sleep a little later, and it was great to be more efficient.
I know these are just tiny tiny little things, but they add up to more harmony overall. Any small rhythms you are paying attention to these days?
This is so mindful--I'm going to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit over-scheduled at the moment and I know it. It really hurts though when Duolingo mocks me for it by asking, "Maya, do you know how to say 'quitter' in Spanish?"--just because I haven't practiced in a while.
LOL thats so snarky for an app
Delete"Duolingo, do you know how to say 'rude' in Spanish?" Damn, I guess it probably does. But still.
DeleteThese seem like some great new rhythms. So you now work out first thing in the morning? I'm wondering when you were doing it before (your life seems pretty full!). Anyway, I agree working out first thing is the best. You know you'll get it done, and feel great for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteI like your mileage goal- dream big!!!
I was waking up at 5:05 and just vegging on the couch with coffee and wordle until like 5:40. Now I just get up at 5:30 and get it done.
DeleteI feel like people always advocate for things like laying out clothes the night before, packing workout stuff the night before, packing your bag the night before, etc.. and I was always like no WAY choosing breakfast is what is slowing me down and ruining my morning. But, now I have to admit, doing these things the night before (for me) makes a huge difference and I feel much less unmoored in the mornings.
ReplyDeleteIt's true! I have a goal this week to spend 3 minute prepping the night before for our morning leave time, and it has been so helpful to have already filled water bottles and pout Minnie's stuff in the car, for example.
DeleteOoooh-- I wonder if I am missing mindful breaks and end up wasting more time "sneaking" them...
ReplyDelete+1 duvet covers. We’ve used them for years and never looked back. My youngest has a dust mite allergy and asthma so his is the only comforter I have to wash regularly and it is a royal pain.
ReplyDeleteI was washing 4 comforters a week!!
DeleteAll for new routines but I will never work out without caffeine in my system. Too addicted. lol. I NEEEEEED IT.
ReplyDeleteI did go slower without it LOL
DeleteThis is Lisa. Our mornings are a gong show and I can get worked up over how long it’s taking to get out the door. Most mornings I try to remind myself that I am not clocking in or seeing patients or things like that. If I get to my desk a little later than what is ideal/preferred, the world won’t end and no one really notices!
ReplyDeleteYes, I try to be cool, especially since, like 10 minutes cannot really impact a day, but still— so frustrating!
DeleteHave you given up Wordle, or just pushed it to another part of your day? I'm with you, I need to exercise first thing. Well, second thing, but before I officially start my day. I do get up, make tea, and play my word games. Then yoga, then my walk. But I'm at a phase in life where I don't have to get anyone out the door anymore, so it's a lot easier than it would have been years ago.
ReplyDeleteI like the mindfulness of figuring out what works, what doesn't, and how to switch things up.
No— just the 25 minutes of doing nothing first thing. I still do wordle :)
DeleteI am not paying attention to rhythms . . . maybe that is my problem. I did opt not to go to the study and write late this afternoon. I tackled washing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. To me, there is no other way to clean it, and yet - it doesn't happen very often. I moved art books, that were my uncles that he left to Mini, up to a corner of my closet. I think I really needed to clear some of the clutter and feel a bit accomplished in the space we live in vs writing. But now I can 't sleep a wink - I'm paying so much attention to the FODMAP foods to fight off SIBO, but I'm doing everything that's been working and then tonight I can't sleep? Incredibly frustrating. Anyway, tuning into rhythms - I'm on it.
ReplyDeleteOoooh— I used to wash the floor like this, but then I got a stem mop and never looked back.
DeleteLOL STEAM
DeleteAhhh rhythms... I love rhythms. Been slacking with early wake ups. And yeah, coffee, I get headaches if I don't have it- obv too addicted.
ReplyDeleteI MUST have coffee, but moving it back an hour has been... ok?
DeleteNo, I'm just floundering around wondering how I waste so much time still lol. I get everything ready for work the night before - lunch, breakfast if I'm going to eat it, clothing, bag packed - because I am useless in the morning. I had more days assigned for certain things when my kids were little. I really miss the 'sticking the kid in a stroller for a walk' days, although I have walking Lucy as a substitute now.
ReplyDeleteI miss waking a dog-- must be time for a new dog...
DeleteOh, and comforter covers are easier to wash but I HATE how the comforter shifts around inside it. If I ever found a good comforter I would buy it in a heartbeat - Eve has one because the duvet and cover set her OCD on fire. But that's just one bed, and I use a top sheet.
ReplyDeletethe kids are always sitting ON heir made beds in their dirty street clothes (lol) and it bothers MY OCD, so I have to wash, despite the top sheets.
DeleteThis is so smart - to think about what things are really working in your life and to make them daily rhythms. Or to think about what's stressful and figuring out ways to make them better! I'm going to be ruminating on this.
ReplyDeleteI just did fasting labs and my cholesterol was NOT PRETTY. My nutritionist and I are going to have a very big discussion about this next week, womp.