September 16, 2014
Alexia Isaak
Full. Full. Full. Our schedules are always full and overflowing. I know personally my day is filled by work, working out, and then doing any other activity I find valuable. I'll be the first to tell you that I love efficiency and drown every minute of time after work with fun-filled activities. I'm organized enough that I can pack the car in the morning and not return until midnight so I don't make unnecessary stops and trips home if they're out of the way of my day's activities. I'll take lunch or eat out and carry one or more changes of clothes. The last time I did this, I was in so much overdrive, that I was busted on not being able to enjoy where I was.
It's so easy to pack tons of stuff into the day. We want to get the most out of life anyway, don't we? I know I do, but am I really getting the most out of life if my mind is always on what's next? I don't think so. I'm an advocate of organization, discipline and doing what it takes to meet personal goals. What is the cost though? It's life.
I am guilty as charged. I'm tightly wound and conditioned to produce and produce some more. I love that sense of accomplishment I get from checking another thing off my Remember the Milk to do list! It really does feel good to me, like quenching your thirst, and I feel successful when I don't have to postpone any of my tasks to another day.
My family has been telling me to ease up for ages, but you know how easy it is to discount what your family tells you. When it comes from a third party, it sinks in a little bit more. I felt frustrated after being called on not enjoying my life. I wanted to argue, "Look at everything I'm doing. None of it can be cut out. I love everything and all the people in my life." I could argue all day long, but at the end of the day, I had to admit, my friend was right. The point isn't about giving up things you love to do. It is about doing the things you love at a slower pace. Rushing isn't necessary.
So, now what? I had to decide how much was too much, and what I should do about it. The first thing I did was give myself permission. I had to tell myself it was ok to take an extra car ride if it meant I could come home to eat and take a nap. I told myself that I could postpone a task if it REALLY wasn't necessary that it be completed that day. Lastly, I decided to follow my intuition. When I was debating where to go and when, I consulted my intuition for guidance. Looking for guidance with permission to be more flexible, I was able to enjoy my weekend like I was on a vacation even though I was doing things that "needed" to be done. Sometimes this means realizing discipline, but life isn't all about discipline. That is a tool to have in your toolbox to be applied when needed, not constantly.
The next task, accomplish this level of enjoyment during the work week when another work day is looming, and enjoy life like this more fully and consistently from now on. Give yourself permission to enjoy your life today because you can!