A year ago at this time, I was dealing with a major health issue and surgery, which thankfully corrected, is seems so far, the issue. It was in that week, and the weeks after before I returned to my 60 hour work week that I knew a change needed to be made. I was getting up before 5:00, cramming any last work that was still lingering, or setting something up for when I got in the office. I would then be in the office, or about town in meetings from 8:00 until 5:00 or 5;30, followed by a long commute home, lugging additional work home most nights, starting up again about 9:00 until I collapsed with exhaustion. Weekends were better, but I found myself being e-mailed frequently, particularly the weekends after my boss had been out of the office, as her catch-up became my catch up. I changed jobs in March, and while I still have a completely crazy busy work day, it for the most part stays there. From 8:00-5:00, nine out of every 10 days in the pay period, I give it my all, and the remaining time is mine and my families.
However, I feel like I spent the first several months wondering what to do with those extra hours. I realized in hindsight, I was a bit of an adrenaline junky, getting my fix from the hurry hurry go go, and my mind wasn't yet making the change. I settled into appreciating more down time, more attention to hobbies, but I still was missing something. What I think I miss is the morning jump start that set my day in motion. While a year ago, the jump out of bed was forced to make sure one more load of laundry, three more e-mails, and a report were dealt with, I now have the luxury of using that same early morning time, that routine, to focus on my transition to the new day. I was doing this regularly this summer when participating in the Rise and Write facilitated at Out of the Writers Closet. I'd look for those prompts, reflect a few minutes, and dive in. It felt good, and it gave the spaces in my mind a tenant. While I may not write each morning, and those of you reading might be thinking, "thank you", I am reclaiming the 5:00 a.m. spot for me. Who else has dealt with major change in time, in a good way, and how did you reframe the way you shaped your days?
I think that it is wonderful that you made changes to better yourself. Most people just grind it out and complain.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a morning person-I'm quite mean. No one speaks to me for about an hour. I could never jump into the day like you.
I think that is why the early morning works for me. No one else is up-even pup just kind of lays around, so I have the quiet and solitude. Don't be mistaken though-I can be a right crabby ass when I am over tired, and when I first walk in the door at the end of the work day if I wasn't able to decompress on the drive home. Those days,I need no one to pounce on me for at least 10 minutes, or they are likely to get an earful.
DeleteMy 'real days' in late 2015 are nothing like the 'dream days' I planned in the summer. Sometimes I think that I should be achieving more or putting myself forward for crazy new roles and greater responsibility.... but I am currently 'quietly content'. At the moment the people who matter are getting the best of me, and I'm happy with this. I hope that you're run up to the festive season is going smoothly, Jx
ReplyDeleteGood to hear form you Jan, and that your next venture in life is working the way you had intended. Other than feeling lazy most nights-so dark, It has been a great December.
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