More often than not when I ask how someone is doing they say, “BUSY.” Hmm, interesting. Is that a good thing? Or is that the thing to say? Or is everyone stressed out? Answering this question like everyone else is, (oh the other half say they are fine), it is getting rather boring. Why not make a choice to be and then say something better than BUSY? I have found in my life that being busy didn’t make me happy- whether it was the thought of it or just saying it- either way, it meant that I had to figure out how to simplify my life or control it, so I could say “I’m happy” as my answer. How did I get to that point?
I know there are times, like when I had a bunch of young kids, that I was watching them every second and never had a minute to myself until they all were in bed. And I still couldn’t keep track of them! So I get that. But there is a time that we can decide what to fill our lives with.
“It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is; What are we busy about?” Henry David Thoreau
There are so many GOOD options we can fill our lives with. How do we know what is most important for ourselves- a real person? One thing that works for me is meditation. Sounds funny, I know– sit and try to not think or do anything when you feel like you don’t have enough time as it is? But it works. Meditating has taught me to back out, and look at things from a new perspective. It also slowed things down for me. I live and breathe through things. 10 minutes a day of meditating makes me feel like I have a few hours more in my day- not sure how, but it does.
I took things out of my life that shouldn’t have been there because they weren’t making me happy. Like one of my jobs. I don’t like it- I never have, so in 2017 I decided it’s out. This cleared so much time up in my brain. I can use all the “empty space” I can get. I always tell people I need more RAM. I can’t keep one more thing in my head! Simplify… simplify…
I started putting what meant the most to me as the highest priority–Writing is important to me- I’m not sure why- it keeps me sane, so add that to the top of the list. –Having a bath every night. It’s my destressing time before bed so my mind can calm down. If I skip it, I am freezing in bed for one, but I also can’t stop thinking. I also think water has to help powers that I don’t really understand. –I stopped if I was tired. I listen to my body and if it says I can’t be 100% there, I stop, go back, and rest for a few minutes. If I don’t my body will teach me that I’m not that awesome and I will get sick. –Put my phone down- I really hate being tied to my phone anyway, so if my kids or husband were around, the phone was put aside. Especially on Sundays, I try to leave it in my room and give my head and fingers a rest. –Reading. I decided this year I would read as many books as possible, so that pushed other things like Facebook off my phone and Audible onto it. –I eat and do it in peace and be in the present. –I say no to anything that doesn’t make me happy.
So if you feel SO busy- is it everything you had hoped for? If not, you have a choice to change it. Think about it and then do something about it.
“Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are too busy. Then a full hour is needed.” Saint Francis de Sales
