Summer begins today
Happy vernal equinox!
I’m using this week to pivot to a different rhythm, for summer and the rest of my life!
That rhythm has two patterns – rest and flow. Both work together to ensure that I’m not constantly switching gears and wearing down my internal machinery.
Let’s talk about flow first. This is the space where we’re staying in one gear – writing and strategizing. Or emails and meetings. In the personal sphere, it can be family time or personal time.
Moving from one type of activity to another requires a gear shift and doing that too many times in one day or one week can be exhausting. Every couple of months or so, I look at my calendar to see where I can consolidate certain activities and create flow. For example, I don’t schedule meetings before 11 am. The morning is for exercise, reflection, writing. Once the meetings and emails start, I’m in a different gear for the rest of the day.
What would be your fixes to create flows? What are your morning must-dos? (Coffee & checking email don’t count!) If you don’t already have the answers to these questions, try to find some. Commit to them. I promise you’ll see results.
Having flow in my life prepares me for true rest. Concrete steps include a no-meeting day on Friday (or take it off!) so you’re easing into the weekend. If you book-end your vacations with a couple of slow work days, you won’t lose your vacation time ramping up and down. Those slower days pre-vacation are when you can freshen your pedicure or get a new post-pandemic sundress. Rest is rest. Rest is not preparation to do more work. Rest is not reward. Rest is essential. Rest is resistance, as Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry has been preaching.
Lower the sense of urgency around everyone’s demands and focus on what you need to have flow and feel rested. That phone call on the way to the airport? It can wait. The emails while you’re getting your haircut? Read a magazine instead.
Does this seem like summer homework? Maybe. Summer is also fun, and I’m planning my share of birthday parties (let’s hear it for the Leos!), gathering with friends, seeing family, and traveling. But all of that is organized to maximize my enjoyment and minimize stress.
Sending you love and light for a restful summer flow,
Sayu