During the cold, fall leaves linger . . . and we tend to move slower. And our bodies tire a little more, quicker than in the warm June, July and August months. When it gets colder in the autumn months, as individuals, we hibernate leaving our shell behind. How then do we create some more moments for ourselves in order to rejuvenate, to refresh ourselves . . . to renew in the last few months we have been busy? Life can oftentimes be chaotic, or we make it so.
One may find themselves in the rote tasks and daily routines we have been so accustomed to. So how do we create space in 2021 when our lives are replete with playdates for our children, meetings with other moms and dads and our daily PTA responsibilities or school fundraisers? Some of us are just making it through or making ends meet. Many are planning endlessly for a day just for children, activities such as Boy and Girl Scouts, soccer, basketball, football, not to mention family outings. Needless to say fitting in daily chores, tasks and preparing dinner goes without saying; It comes with the job. And, as human beings and parents, one finds comfort in that which we know and do, even if we aren't really connecting. Are we really spending time with our children and families? We are definitely making a lot of time for activities and getting to our endless to-do lists. How then are we running non-stop, from one event to another as soon as school lets out? And even when work is finished, are we ever really done? Today, we have become an Uber driver for our daughter and son . . .
Taking some time to recuperate and to slow down will require creating space in those minutes throughout the day, believe it not. It may be as simple as scanning the morning paper as you rush to prepare breakfast and lunch for your family. Perhaps it's walking your golden retriever, yorkie or chihuahua for 10 minutes in the morning. Or creating space can mean a short walk to pick up your mail. Other times it's those moments you've had only three hours of sleep because your baby was crying, and you're sitting in the car to drop off your older kid. Closing your eyes even for a few moments to refresh your sense of self as you take in some deep breaths to sigh out the long slow tiring day helps. In this time, welcome any good, positive thoughts - set an intention for yourself. Saying one positive affirmation to yourself: I can handle this or things are going to be okay will go a long way to help refresh your outlook on life. Instead of looking ahead, and all of the things you have to do, just be here now taking in these breaths without interruption of routines and to-dos. We tend to identify our self worth through our work, how much money we make and how much we do every waking moment of our day, weeks, months and years. But what if we were to slow down . . . really slow down . . . to reconnect with ourselves? If we have the opportunity to refresh and renew our selves now during the colder months, we would change our perspectives, our lives and our self-worth. Our sense of purpose would become clear . . . Our sense of what is more worthwhile overcomes what is more important. And creating a sense of balance within our summer selves with our autumnal being would become innate, easier . . .