When I overthink it, my life seems pretty darn complicated: my career, my finances, my home, my family, my friends- and trying to plan for the future, my love life, or lack of (finding a decent guy in London feels like a job!) - and everything else in between.
It all seems like an overwhelming list of things to contend with - trouble is once I feel overwhelmed, everything can feel quite complicated.
That is, until I learnt to address the basic stuff first, like my health - then the rest became a lot easier.
I realised it's actually lots of little things (all cleverly connected), but essentially quite small simple things that need to be addressed calmly... and that's easier when you've got a healthy mind and body.
Take time out
After 24-months of intense contracting work, very full-on positions with a great deal of emotional stress placed upon me - I decided I was going to take a few months off. I'm genuinely so much better off and happier now, because I'm health first, everything else second.
It was during this time off, I began a bit of a detox and review of my health. I was overweight, didn't feel great, exhausted, was drinking a lot when I went out to compensate for not having much time for anything else. So the fast paced seriously stressed lifestyle it turns out wasn't healthy for me. But then is it healthy for
anybody? Not really. Time out to recharge your batteries is essential for everyone.
I have deliberately slowed down and I have been able to see things a little more clearly, this has enabled me to make some very healthy lifestyle changes and appreciate things from a different point of view.
First, find a place to be with your thoughts.
We all need a place where we can think.
I'm lucky to have a great view from my sitting room. I have a lovely tree arching around outside the window, a pond with beautiful fish (and that gentle sound of fresh water) and general greenery...it is really very relaxing.
This has become my much needed sanctuary.
I get my best ideas working from this space, I am able to rationalise my thoughts, clear the noise in my head, and instead of flustering over the 150 things I need to do, I am able to calmly address each one in a logical pattern and my brain is able to operate at functional pace.
Digital Detox
We live in such a hyper-connected world these days, it's become harder than ever to switch off. We are saturated in stimuli, distractions and demands. Finding some time for yourself where you can relax and get in your zone is so important. I found working from home one day a week was beneficial, but sometimes what you need to do is just get offline.
You'll find that switching off to social media and the digital world very difficult if you are active in many social networks on a daily basis (and you enjoy it). But what you think is fun to begin with can become an addiction.
The important thing to remember is to find time to be present, in the here and now, the physical-self and the mind needs to connect with your surroundings.
In order to appreciate what we need is difficult if we never take any time away from the overly digitalised world we live in today. It's like fast food for the brain, too much is never a good thing.
Planning for a Digital Detox
Pick a quiet weekend where you can realistically be offline (not in the middle of a deadline at work for example):
- You'll need to switch off your wifi & cellular data on your phone & devices to resist the temptation to surf
- Get yourself a newspaper, book or a few magazines
- Avoid drinking alcohol (this will help you resist the urge to share everything on SM) stock up on teas or bottled water
- Pre-stock the fridge with some fresh healthy food & prepare a few meals from scratch (try using a recipe book!)
- Plan a few activities, like yoga or running rather than watching stuff on your TV, tablet, laptop or smartphone
- Give yourself a task, one where you need to 'make' something like, repair some clothes, paint the bathroom, bake a cake, organise your wardrobe etc.
By doing this I hope it will help you realise the time it takes to do the little things and how good it can feel to get the little things done. The sense of achievement of something practical and tangible is very encouraging and makes it feel like you haven't wasted valuable time.
See how it feels to switch off!
The Reboot
A digital detox is the equivalent of a reboot. Even technology needs the occasional refresh and reload. We waste a lot of time online, and being constantly engaged on SM channels can prevent you from doing things that bring about the much needed balance in everyday life .
I have my new found health and sense of self, I know what I need and what I don't. Because I am focused in my health and wellbeing, I am OK with what I look like (first time in ages) and I understand the needs of my own body. I am more in tune with my emotional needs too. I understand what is in my life, what isn't, and which of those make me feel happy and secure.
With all that taken care of, all the others things in my life really don't seem as complicated anymore.
Stay fit and stay fresh
Roberta x
