If Your Week Looks Crazy Do This

 

We’re plugged in 24 hours a day now. We’re all part of one big machine, whether we are conscious of that or not. And if we can’t unplug from that machine, eventually we’re going to become mindless. 

― Alan Lightman

Hey, Lovelies.

Yesterday I posted about this being a week that supports down time, quiet time and reconnection in order to get clarity.

Of course, by 9am my inbox was filled with messages from those of you who have a crazy busy week ahead of you. Nicole, you told me, I have NO TIME.

I understand. Life can get like that – sometimes by design, sometimes by accident, sometimes because we forgot to factor ourselves into our busy to-do list.

But even in a crazy busy week I promise you can find some time. I know, because so many of my weeks and months and years have been crazy busy.

So, my suggestions are tried and tested. If they work for me they will also work for you. Here they are:

1. The Overnight Black-Out  Once, at the farm, in the middle of a crazy deadline and when I was home alone and stressed to the max we lost power. There was nothing I could do. After I stopped fighting that, I calmed, and suddenly the late afternoon and evening stretched out in front of me, quiet and comforting. I made dinner on the gas stove while it was still light. I took a shower while there was still hot water. I found some candles, and I read a book for a while, and then I went to bed. Something in me reset, and when I woke the next morning from a deep and refreshing sleep, everything felt better. So, you can do this to. Turn everything off when you get home from work or stop for the day. I mean EVERYTHING. Turn off your modem. Turn off your phone. Turn off your laptop, your desktop, your handheld devices. Turn off your television, your radio, and later, most of your lights. Take a shower and put on comfy lounging clothes or pyjamas. Make yourself a simple meal. Sit quietly. Use only a few lights and favour candles. Maybe read, journal or do some craft or colouring. Put yourself to bed early.
2. Meal Break Take a proper lunch hour, and go sit in a park or cafe by yourself. Give yourself time to eat, to sit, and to watch the world go by. Slow your breathing. Consciously relax. DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE OR OTHER DEVICES. Reading a book, going for a swim or a walk is okay. You could also do this for breakfast or an evening meal. Just take that time on your own. Why do it by yourself? When you are with others you have the emotional labour of conversation and care-giving.
3. Morning or Evening Meditation Ritual At the beginning or end of your day, or both, take time for some conscious breathing (here’s how), and then sit for a few minutes or longer in silence, or practice your favourite meditation. Take a shower, and then care for your body by moisturising your skin all over. If it’s morning, you might want to take a walk or do some yoga, and then eat a mindful breakfast. If it’s the end of the day you might like to hop into bed and read for a little while. Deliberately start and/or end your day slow, no matter how busy the day might be.
4. Shake things up Meet friends for a meal or a coffee, go do a stretch or a spin class, do anything that gets you out of your usual routine – especially if that routine is heavily work or task focused.
5. Finish Early Give yourself permission to stop whatever you are doing earlier than you had planned. Use that time to do something pleasurable or restorative. As to your unfinished task? It will still be there tomorrow but you may well have more juice in your tank to get it done.

Wherever you find yourself this week, I’m wishing you love, sending positive energy, and hoping you find some windows of quiet time in the middle of the crazy, Nicole xx