Since I started my break from work, I seem to be running between two extremes: manic busy-ness and utter sloth.
Sometimes, it feels as if a few months will whoosh past, I’ll run out of money and so I’d better do everything I want to really, really quickly (a bit like eating a box of chocolates without really tasting them). So I rush about catching up with people, going to things, getting multiple projects under way.
Then sometimes, having this gift of time seems to paralyse me. So I sleep too long, spend hours tumbling down endless internet rabbit holes and watch DVDs, all the time pushing to the back of my mind the ignored tax returns etc.
The problem is lack of balance. And that’s where Magpie Girl’s new campaign comes in: The Do Less Revolution starts today. Based partly on Leo Babauta’s excellent book The Power of Less, I’m signed up. How about you? Let’s help each other find balance.
Image by flik
Elsewhere:
The author of The Power of Less, Leo Babauta, writes one of the world’s best blogs, Zen Habits, and I love his post 6 small things you can do when you lack discipline.
And in case you missed it, to download a free poster and/or desktop wallpaper of Goddess Leonie’s take on the 12 Key Zen Habits – click here.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Tess, I greatly enjoyed your sepia photography — the sunlight was so real! it felt like real memories. Peaking in on the Power of Less struck me as a joyous fest of friendship, but my social skills are non-existent, and I would be a drain on everybody. You have absolute poise already, as far as I can tell. Doing the bookkeeping, though, hope you’ll benefit there! I’m away, take care now, friend, ~ kigen
tess, i can totally relate to your post. i seem to be going at full speed (like today…i am exhausted) or just hanging around (that’s exhausting too). i like to consider myself a balanced person, but i seem to have two speeds on or off. maybe the average of the two = balance??
i popped over to magpie girl and snagged a “do less” button. we’ll see what happens. i have backed way off on facebook, still refuse to “tweet” and am posting minimal blogs. now, if i could just get my brain to slow down a little
wish we could curl up and watch some dvd’s together!
hugs to you, friend.
Tess ~ my life is alot like this even thought I have a three year old to care for. Either lots of manic stuff or as you say complete sloth. I am a girl of lists so that keeps me focussed on the ‘have to do’ stuff. The rest, well
/. I’ve found a far better rhythm to my day when life is arranged around the offices [when I pray them], those days are organised, useful and very fullfilling but not always busy. I achieve alot more even though I actually have less time. A bit like the saying ‘if you want something done ask a busy person’.
I’m sure that sloth too is productive really as it’s in those times that I’m contemplative and calm, more receptive to God. I think our study on the Seven Sacred Pauses through Turvey is helping this affliction that so many of us ‘suffer’ from. To live mindfully through your day whether that be a day of manic activity or a [lazy?] day of gentle musing and reflection. We women seem to be preconditioned to feeling slightly uncomfortable [guilty] with just not doing alot but you know what, it’s okay to not be physically busy because you can be very sure that our minds are taking up the slack. Just being is fine too!!
Enjoy this time ~ it’s rare and every minute is yours to live no matter what form that living may take.
With love
Sharon xx
One thing that helps me is to think in terms of hot spots for life: mind, body, emotions, career, financial, relationships, and fun. I set boundaries … mins and maxes. For example, I set a minimum of 3 hrs for body a week and a max of 40 hrs for career. The hot spots support each other and the sum is more than the parts.
@kigen: you have to do what feels right, and you’re already stretching yourself with the blog, which is great. “Absolute poise”? No, I can assure you I don’t!
@lucy: I know what you mean about getting the brain to slow down. I often wish I could have a pensieve like Dumbledore and extract thought to store them there.
@Sharon: I’ve said here before somewhere that I’m in absolute awe of people bringing up children. I have enough trouble with cats! Mind you, the problem with cats is that they never grow up, and they certainly can’t be trained to help with the housework…
@J.D.: Welcome to my blog and thanks for visiting. I like this idea of boundaries created by time. Might try that one out if I can make sure I don’t make the recording of time another distraction!
Good idea. Also, effective time management might help.