It’s midnight again, and it’s the first time I’ve sat at my desk all day! I swear these days I meet myself coming and going!
To make things simple, I’ll let yesterday’s contest continue to run, but will select TWO winners. So be sure to post a comment on both yesterday’s and today’s blog for two chances to win.
Keeping things simple. That seems to be a theme today. My sister is visiting from the north—North Arkansas, that is. We’re both complaining about burnout, because we’ve both been spinning on that hamster wheel for a while. We’d love a break. Love to have time to think and make sure we are doing the right things for our work, our families, and our future lives.
So, today’s question is this…
Do you have any suggestions for how we slow our lives down? No, we don’t want to stop writing. That’s not it at all, but there’s so much involved with the writing life that you may not be aware of that just eats our lunch. Any suggestions, large or small would be appreciated!
Good luck in the drawings!
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I found myself in this very spot and feeling burnt out between work, school and family obligations. I Haven’t figured out how to slow my life down, but I am taking a little me time every now and then, just me, a beautiful scented candle, quiet and a bottled diet coke. š DND for 20 minutes! PS– great to know that you don’t want to stop writing!
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Sometimes just sitting back, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly helps. Just a minute to see something pretty.
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Since I’ve retired, my days are somewhat less hectic, but I do remember how it was when I was working~~job, kids, husband, housework, grocery shopping, etc. Never enough hours in the day.
I found that once I realized I couldn’t do everything, I got better at doing some things. As women, we think we are responsible for any and all things family related. Just have to realize you are not superwoman. Take some deep breaths and make time for yourself at least once a day. May only be 10 min, but that 10 min should be all about you. Sometimes I would just go to the bathroom, lock the door, close my eyes and sit quietly. Didn’t always work, but it worked often enough that it helped.
And ladies, you can not, must not and will not stop writing. What would the rest of us do if you did?? Not a happy thought.
Good luck~~
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For years I juggled very busy and NOISY retail management jobs with family life. It was sensory overload. It helped to take at least 30-60 minutes of quiet time. Sometimes it was sitting in my car in an empty corner of a parking lot at the grocery store or the local park, or shuting myself in the bathroom. Usually I read but sometimes I just looked at nature to recharge my batteries; Real trees, etc if I could get it or scenic pictures (no people) that I’ve collected into a folder on my computer. I prefered total quiet but if that wasn’t possible (barking dogs, screaming kids, etc) I would turn on a sound machine to white noise generator or rain or babbling stream on softly to block out distracting sounds.
Good luck and make sure you set aside a little quiet time for yourselves to recharge your batteries with your activity or non-activity of choice.
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I don’t really have any ideas for you. Beth has some very good ideas. When I worked 10 hour days at a clinic I would spend my lunch hour sitting in my car overlooking a golf course or at the park watching the ducks and geese. It gave me that bit of recharge to get through the afternoon. I would even do this in the winter because the quite was so nice.
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Find a quiet place and tune everybody and everything out. Just let your mind go blank and enjoy the peace and quiet.
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Breath! Deep breath, hold it, exhale slowly. Again. Now take a minute and smell the roses. No roses? Coffee? Just simply enjoy the here and now for a minute. Do this at least once a day, if not more. And then once a month or so, indulge in a pedicure. Nothing like having your feet pampered to help you relax and enjoy and recharge.
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I WOULD SAY TO TAKE MAYBE A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS OFF, JUST TO RELAX AND REST. MAYBE GO TO A SPA FOR ONE WEEK AND CHILL AT HOME THE NEXT WEEK. YOU COULD ALSO, MAKE A GOAL TO GO TO BED MORE EARLIER THAN USUALLY. YOU CAN ALSO TAKE UP SOME RELAXING HOBBIES, LIKE: JOGGING, SWIMMING, OR GARDENING. WHATEVER ROCKS YOUR BOAT!!
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Sometime’s I just decided to sit & relax. My husband is a huge fan of DVR’ing all his shows. I personally don’t see the point, he’s always pressuring himself to watch all the shows, so he can make room for more. LOL I could care less about TV, If I can’t watch it live, I don’t worry about it. Now reading is another story, if I don’t get some reading time everyday, I’m a crab. š
Good Luck finding more time in a day, I haven’t found a way & honestly I don’t want to anymore. I do what I need to do and let the rest just flow. (I know, I’m no help at all. š )
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Learning to say “no” to some requests. Get up away from your computer for 20 minutes every 2 hours to get your eyes and mind a small break. Or perhaps making a small list of your to do items so that is doesn’t get overwhelming.
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Try a spa day even if you do it at home and take a day trip with the family to relax
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I get refreshed by nature. Going to the beach, or a park. Sometimes hiking or sometimes just relaxing, on a blanket with a book, glass of wine. Leave the phone in the car. Read, animal watch. Just going for a drive, playing tunes if weather isn’t so great. No phone….
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Hi there, I check your new stuff daily. Your humoristic style
is witty, keep up the good work!