In a world beset with myriad digital offerings, especially social media, the mind rarely has time to switch off. This is affecting our capacity for concentration and focus. By the way, the irony hasn’t escaped me that this is how you are accessing Wellness Matters, for which I thank you.
Over the years, I considered myself quite the master at establishing new routines, but when I reflect and analyse my workload and agency, it is clear that energy was being squandered while I was busy re-inventing the very approach that had been working. I have often considered why I tried so many different approaches, and concluded it was as much about fitting in as it was about potentially getting bored. It appeared that by employing someone else's approaches, strategies and routines a better workload could be generated. The reality is that I had been distracted by excellent marketing strategists, which is not to say some weren't without merit, but just weren’t right for me. I loved the idea of the Rocketbook - seamlessly transferring my annotated thoughts and notes onto my computer, and it worked for a while. But when I had to wipe it clean, always have the right pens to hand, leave blank pages, use the correct symbols to send my scribbles to their destination, I became disillusioned. There is still merit to a Rocketbook, but not for the long detailed notes I make and which need to be replaced quickly.
Returning to the Eisenhower matrix for prioritising tasks when workload demand is high, however, continues to be effective for me. Furthermore, the routines I have embedded now work for me because it aligns with who I am, generating the required life/work balance that this journey has taken me on. And, since leaving education in 2020, I remain on a steep learning curve, which has generated joy, purpose, and remuneration from pursuing a coaching career that I love. This is the philosophy of Ikigai.
Thinking back over the past few weeks, the anticipatory excitement at having my family here during the festive season, tending to their needs, clearing up after they had all departed, left me depleted. I wasn’t aware of how tired I was until I made a conscious decision to celebrate the New Year Bells at home, alone with my faithful Jilly, with close friends at the end of a WhatsApp message.
On New Year’s Day morning, while completing my gratitude journal, I posed myself this question in relation to attending a social event at one of North Berwick’s hotels: What is the purpose? Was I putting myself under pressure because of FOMO (fear of missing out), to see and be seen? Having taken an early sea plunge, walked Jilly and enjoyed a light lunch, the answer was loud and clear and so I decided against throwing myself into the social arena, which I’ve heard was lots of fun, preferring to take an opportunity for solitude, in my home, alone.
I am an Introvert. This does not mean I am shy or withdrawn, but I get exhausted when I am in company for too long. I have learned to be my own best friend, so staying home and enjoying the last of a bottle of delicious red wine from my son-in-law, was the best way to begin the year as I mean to go on: focussing on what works for me, and not trying to fit in with a misplaced perception of what others might think.
I belong to me and, at the end of the day, I who am accountable for the actions and decisions I make.
“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment” Lao Tzu
If nothing else this year, try to identify your purpose, pay heed to levels of focus, stay connected to your values, and support those who are struggling.
I hope that 2023 provides pockets of pure joy, love, light and laughter.
‘Focus’ photo taken from Columba 1400 on Sky October 2019 - a pivotal moment for me when my values aligned. Without fully understanding the enormity of what happened, I chose to follow my heart, left a 30 year teaching career and established www.catchinglightwellness.co.uk
I’ve never been happier and coaching with me can help you find a new focus and move forwards to where you want to be.
Get in touch - details on www.catchinglightwellness.co.uk
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