Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Getting Back to Routines

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?

4 comments:

  1. I think that it is wonderful that you made changes to better yourself. Most people just grind it out and complain.
    I'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.

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    1. 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.

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  2. My '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

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    1. Good 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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