April 2 - The space we need to mode-switch
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's a quiet morning. The sun has just started to peek over the horizon, casting a pink and orange glow. The birds are singing, and the cats run around, chasing each other. Everything is calm and peaceful.
I woke up early this morning. Made a cup of something hot and sat down at my laptop to write. Today is one of those quiet moments of margin. The space between. The calm before the storm.
I think we're missing these days - we pack so much into our days, lives, and hearts that there's no margin left between, no space to recoup, no opportunity to take stock. We race from one commitment to the other, mode switching in motion, never really taking a breath.
It's exhausting, and it's no wonder that we're all so tired. We need to find ways to create margin in our lives, moments when we can be without agenda or expectation. Moments when we can breathe, rest and recalibrate. The people we need to be from one moment to the next can be different. The mothers, we need to be in the moments when our children are crying. We need to be professionals when it's time to run that Zoom meeting just 30 seconds later. The friends we need to be when we get a text as the session ends and someone we love just needs us to be there. There's whiplash to it all, and it's hard to keep up.
We need margin in our lives to give us the space to be all of those things and more. We need to find ways to create it for ourselves, to make time for stillness and peace. To unplug and recharge. To remember who we are outside of our roles and responsibilities. Outside of the external demands.
It's not easy, but it's worth it. We just have to find ways to make time for it, carve out those moments of margin for ourselves. If we don't, we'll burn out.
I'm not sure what the rest of the day will bring, but I'm taking it one step at a time. I'll just sit here and enjoy the peace for a bit longer. Until the chaos starts up again. But for right now, it's just me, my chai, and the space in between.
May you find time for margin today, too.
In order to take care of yourself, you first need to understand what self-care means. Self-care is all about taking care of yourself emotionally and mentally as well as physically. It’s about doing things that make you happy and help you relax. Here are three self-care ideas to get you started today:
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Take a relaxing bath: A hot bath can be a great way to relax and de-stress. Add some soothing aromatherapy or add a few drops of lavender oil to your bathtub to help you unwind.
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Exercise: Exercise is a great way to release endorphins and improve your mood. A moderate amount of exercise is the key to maintaining your mental health and well-being.
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Connect with loved ones: Spending time with loved ones can help reduce stress and improve your mood. Whether you stay in touch via text, social media, or in person, quality time with those you care about is crucial for a healthy mind and body.
