Quality not quantity (stop rushing)
I know I have a tendency to rush projects when the pressure of other commitments weighs heavy. With leisure time at an all-time low, I am embracing the mantra of ‘less is more’ and trying to have just one or two projects on the side to pick up and put down again as nap time allows. This still allows me to get my creative fix, but by limiting the quantity, I feel less pressure and frustration when Molly is having a clam-baby day, and I am more likely to do a proper job and not rush my self-imposed to-do list when finally I do get an hour to indulge myself.
Life today is lived at super-sonic speed, and sometimes a 20 minute catch up over a cuppa is all that you are going to be able to give, because the kids need picking up, the dog’s been sick, grandma’s set fire to the kitchen again.
Something that I never considered before is the impact of rushing relationships. Life today is lived at super-sonic speed, and sometimes a 20 minute catch up over a cuppa is all that you are going to be able to give, because the kids need picking up, the dog’s been sick, grandma’s set fire to the kitchen again. But in occasionally slowing down and not trying to squeeze too many people into too short a period of time, you find yourself able to give and receive a better quality of concentration, attention and care, which in turn leads to deeper friendships and happier relationships.
The magic of 100% concentration (wear your boots well)
My grandpa (and probably some famous person) used to say, ‘if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well’. This was echoed in the mantra of a wonderful doctor friend who shared with me her method for giving her all to her patients every single day, no matter what was going on in her personal life. Before she goes to work, she puts on her imaginary ‘doctor boots’; she physically digs her heels in, wiggles her toes, and uses her boots to ensure that she is completely mentally committed to the task ahead.
I have lots of boots, and have found out the hard way that it is very difficult to wear all my boots at the same time. If I try to wear too many boots at once, I inevitably stumble and trip, scuff my lovely boots and start questioning whether this is actually the right pair of boots for me at all, simply because I have not worn them well. I change my boots several times a day, but have to try to control my impulses to wear my favourite boots too much or too soon, or to neglect a boring pair of boots that will nonetheless nag the back of my mind. Wear your boots well, and fairly, and your boots will love you back.
Doing absolutely nothing at least once a day is really, really good for your sanity
Doing nothing is my idea of a tedious, frustrating nightmare, but I gave it a go, for 10 minutes a day, and incredibly, I didn’t implode from sheer ennui. At the risk of sounding a little bohemian, try just sitting quietly in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and no lists, no electronics, no conversation, and just let yourself be…. its strangely therapeutic. Honest.
Originally published on Life of the Bear’s Wife. Charlotte Colehan is a gardener, crafter, maker. baker. Project starter (and mostly finisher!), ambitious daydreamer, excessive tea drinker. Wife to Joe, mum to Molly and Finley. Keen camper, sun worshipper, beer gulper, terrible driver. A little bit of everything, including parenting, family adventures, and some haphazard thoughts on parenting and the good things in life. You can also find her on Instagram: @lifeofthebearswife
