Re-entry - that’s what I think of this as, the coming back into my “regular” life after being away. Yesterday involved taking my youngest to the orthodontist and to baseball practice while negotiating car usage with my other son and tag-teaming the dinner prep with my husband. That was after working all morning and squeezing in some grocery shopping after lunch.
I had thirty minutes for yoga in the morning which I spent researching possible college visits for next week because the trip my son had planned fell through. I gave up on trying to run in 9 degree weather, and I skipped the morning meditation to help people get out the door to school.
I would give myself an A in family logistics and a C- in self-care. That’s pretty much par for the course for me.
So how do I hold onto some of the spaciousness that my time away allowed for? How do I keep my own needs towards the top of the pile?
I was awake at 5am this morning because my body clock is still trying to adjust. I lay in bed for an hour and enjoyed the quiet and cozy. And then I got up thirty minutes earlier than usual to do yoga. I didn’t force anything - I got up because I was ready to get up.
I’ll be done with work at 2pm today and it’s supposed to be above freezing by then…so I have “going outside” on my calendar.
One of my tendencies in terms of organizing my day is trying to squeeze productive things into every open opportunity (thanks, Dad). It’s a skill that comes in handy when you are trying to move mountains to take your family abroad for a year. Or if you’re waiting tables (which I kicked ass at in my twenties).
I rarely talk on the phone or brush my teeth without also doing something else. And it pleases me to no end when I’m able to get a loaf of bread rising before getting on calls, knowing it will be ready to punch down when I’m done.
It can take a toll when you don’t stop and rest or take a few minutes to have a quiet mind. Because the reality is with family life, there are always tasks waiting to be done. There are always three things I could be doing instead of just one. And if I’m constantly shoe-horning myself into tasks, I’m going to end up shoe-horning myself into my life.
No wonder my shoulders are always tight.
So, for today, I am setting an intention of spaciousness. Yoga was a good start, getting outside later will also help.
And if I end up buying a loaf of bread to have with dinner instead of making one, that’ll be okay.
What does spaciousness look like for you? How do you connect to a sense of spaciousness? What is the impact of this inquiry in the current moment?
I had thirty minutes for yoga in the morning which I spent researching possible college visits for next week because the trip my son had planned fell through. I gave up on trying to run in 9 degree weather, and I skipped the morning meditation to help people get out the door to school.
I would give myself an A in family logistics and a C- in self-care. That’s pretty much par for the course for me.
So how do I hold onto some of the spaciousness that my time away allowed for? How do I keep my own needs towards the top of the pile?
I was awake at 5am this morning because my body clock is still trying to adjust. I lay in bed for an hour and enjoyed the quiet and cozy. And then I got up thirty minutes earlier than usual to do yoga. I didn’t force anything - I got up because I was ready to get up.
I’ll be done with work at 2pm today and it’s supposed to be above freezing by then…so I have “going outside” on my calendar.
One of my tendencies in terms of organizing my day is trying to squeeze productive things into every open opportunity (thanks, Dad). It’s a skill that comes in handy when you are trying to move mountains to take your family abroad for a year. Or if you’re waiting tables (which I kicked ass at in my twenties).
I rarely talk on the phone or brush my teeth without also doing something else. And it pleases me to no end when I’m able to get a loaf of bread rising before getting on calls, knowing it will be ready to punch down when I’m done.
It can take a toll when you don’t stop and rest or take a few minutes to have a quiet mind. Because the reality is with family life, there are always tasks waiting to be done. There are always three things I could be doing instead of just one. And if I’m constantly shoe-horning myself into tasks, I’m going to end up shoe-horning myself into my life.
No wonder my shoulders are always tight.
So, for today, I am setting an intention of spaciousness. Yoga was a good start, getting outside later will also help.
And if I end up buying a loaf of bread to have with dinner instead of making one, that’ll be okay.
What does spaciousness look like for you? How do you connect to a sense of spaciousness? What is the impact of this inquiry in the current moment?
 | Jessica Curtis is a professional life coach who helps people cultivate intention and live from a place of meaning and authenticity. If you think you could benefit from working with Jessica or want to invite her to work with your group, reach out to start a conversation. |
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