This past summer, I took the time to relax and become centered and present. I spoke about my wonderful experience in my blog post: Reset 2020. However, as soon as Fall 2020 started, I realized that I had transitioned to a completely different space. So, what changed? I started my advanced year in my master’s program a few weeks ago. I also started my 2nd-year clinical internship. Let’s not forget that I have become an untrained teacher, thanks to my children’s zoom classes!
Through the numerous responsibilities that started with the new school year, I realized that I was hitting all my goals. I was moving from one checklist to another, making a checkmark- done and done! I felt accomplished, but as of today, I realized that my brain feels cluttered. I don’t feel stressed or frustrated but cluttered. Feeling cluttered to me means that I am continually thinking and planning my next task. My brain gears are on overdrive. Once a project is done, I am walking around with a notepad thinking of the next box to tick.
On my phone, I typically get reminders to “breathe” and “pause,” and over the past 4 weeks, I missed every single daily reminder. Today I got a report on my smartwatch that said that the last time I took a breathing exercise was 08/17/2020- exactly 1 month ago!
As we speak, I am making a conscious effort to put some measures to “pause and breathe” before initiating another task. “Pause and breathe” doesn’t have to be in the literal sense. It can mean taking a cup of tea, a brief walk, or some fresh air in the yard. The “pause and breathe” strategies that I come up with will also help me proactively work on my self-care (yay HEADSTART!). I hope to share my new efforts to “pause and breathe” soon.
Have you felt mentally cluttered lately? How are you working through it?
Hugs,
Made of Still
It is so important to take those moments of self care. I can rush from one task to the next too.
Hello there 👋
Thanks for stopping by! I am glad to hear that I am not to only one! I agree that it is 💯 % important to take moments of self-care!
Smiles. Wow!.
Do take some time to pause and breathe through the tasks. God’s got you, ma’am. 🤗
Amen! Thank you so much for the kind words!
God’s got me for sure 🌺🌺🌺
Yes, I’ve felt mentally cluttered the last few days. Prayer, taking a few moments alone, engaging in an informal Bible study on FB, and yanking lots of weeds in the garden have helped.
Hello!
Thanks for stopping by! Tanking weeds sounds like a plan! I hope to get at that soon before it gets too cold 🥶!
Glad to hear about the informal bible study! I too joined a small women’s prayer team and we meet via phone on Friday. It’s really helping me pause too!
You’re welcome!
Good idea! A hoodie and some medical gloves (I.e. nitrile, latex, etc.) will help keep you warm, & the gloves help protect your hands, too! Yes, that’s great! Pausing together like that helps us remember to pause individually, as well.
Thank you for the tip! I will definitely get to it! 🌺🌺🌺
🌺🌸🌺
Good to hear I am not the only one who has been going non stop. I realised i needed some alone time when schools were closed and kids were home full time. Being my daughtes personal assistant and running her zoom class schedule plus working full time.. I set 9pm every night to be my alone time, which has helped me reset and give myself a mental break.
I hope you will continue to pause ans breath as well. great post!
Hello there Rachel!
Thanks for stopping by!
I totally understand the whole “non-stop” life 😅
Glad to hear that you have a routine to help you through this! ♥️
I understand how you feel as I recently started a master’s program in May and it’s a lot of work. Through prayer, the Lord has been helping me to stay on track and get everything done. But taking time out to rest is important. ❤️🤗