Ah, a NEW YEAR brings resolutions and new commitments for most of us.
This new year will bring an unusual commitment for me.
You see, 2019 will be my year of LESS and SLOW rather than my typical frenetic activity of constantly GO, GO, GO.
Can you believe that it would actually annoy me to come home from the office to find my dear sweet husband lying on the couch reading a book? (If he’s not fishing that is!)
I would think to myself that it was a lazy indulgence for a WORK DAY.
But I’ve experienced a monumental shift in my perspective recently that coincided with our recent downsizing move.
As I was “forced” to declutter out of necessity (something I’ve always aspired to do but never could quite fully manage without a compelling reason and deadline to do so), I realized that I REALLY like having less stuff.
Reading more about the concept of minimalism online, I had an “aha” moment when I read somewhere that decluttering is not about depriving yourself and having less stuff.
Decluttering is about MAKING ROOM in your life for the things that really matter.
Similarly, freeing up your schedule, reducing your commitments, and learning to say NO to requests for your time MAKE ROOM in your life for meaningful activities that add true value to your life.
So, since the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem in the first place, here it goes...
I am an ACTIVITY ADDICT.
There, I said it.
I feel guilty if I am not busy 24/7. The only time I “allow” myself to just sit and relax is first thing in the morning (this is true even for weekends mind you) sipping my cup of coffee before racing off to the gym or to meet Crazy Amy for a long run in the woods.
But of course I am still checking emails during that brief time so I’m not sure that the coffee break really counts as relaxing.
But, guilt be damned, in 2019 I am taking a page from my husband’s playbook and am committing myself to many more mornings and afternoons sitting in my amazing new reading nook to just read and reflect and maybe even journal (my husband doesn’t journal—that’s my idea. Ha!)
Knowing me, however, I will probably have to schedule it in my calendar to make sure I do it.
Kristen “Learning to Slow Down” Marks
P.S. What are YOU committing to in 2019 to improve the quality of your life? If, by chance, it includes creating or updating your Family Succession Plan, we are here to help. You can schedule your planning consultation with us by calling the office or scheduling it online here: 850-439-1191