Returning to the office last week provided some challenges for keeping myself healthy and safe after months of working from home. However, it has also provided opportunities for a fresh start with new routines and priorities.
I was able to set a new schedule that hinges on getting up a little earlier, something that doesn’t come easily to me. However, this gets me into the office before most others and it gets me out of the office earlier as well.
Even an extra thirty minutes each evening can feel like a lot when you work full time.
One thing I loved about working from home is the found time that was no longer needed for tasks like commuting or fixing my hair. I could throw a load of laundry in to wash in the morning and put it away at lunch or use my break to clean the bathroom. Instead of devoting an entire evening to house cleaning, it could be done in 15 minute increments before work and at lunch. So I have now broken up housework into smaller tasks to be done each evening.
Last Monday, by 6 p.m. I had walked two miles, vacuumed the house and was heating up dinner. By 7, my lunch was packed, dishes done and the kitchen floor mopped, freeing up the remaining evening hours to read and relax. I curled up with Scout in my favorite chair and embraced the luxurious feeling of productivity rewarded by relaxation.
Another big piece of this new routine will be working in a couple of hikes each week. Experience has taught me that I’m healthier and happier when I move in nature. Besides, a friend and I are planning a big hiking trip next fall and there’s no time like the present to start training.
For someone who likes to plan and who thrives on going out and doing things, this pandemic has been rough. All the cancelled plans and disappointments have been hard on the morale and the loss of control has potential to be paralyzing.
Luckily, there are some things within our control. Most of us have some say over how we structure our free time and what we prioritize.
Right now, my focus is on building a life that I don’t need a vacation from to be happy. It seems logical to me given that most people have only a few weeks of vacation a year. If you get two weeks for being happy on vacation, that means you’re spending fifty weeks struggling and living for the other two.
Now is our chance to turn that ship around and simply build a happy life.
Who’s with me? What are you doing to build a happier life for yourself?
Make the Journey Fun 
Brandi…regarding Fresh Start
I can’t begin to tell you how heartwarming it is to read about your “Journey” in this thing called life! For a young lady, you seem to have a wonderful grasp on what is important in life…something that some people NEVER figure out! (Sure took me a while!) Way to go!
Christine! This means the world to me. Thank you so much for your incredibly generous words. We all have to travel our journey at our own pace but it’s easier for some of us than others. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that every day has the potential to be better than the one before if we allow it to. Be well and safe. Thank you for reading and commenting!
“building a life that I don’t need a vacation from to be happy.”
Isn’t that really the key that unlocks the door? I like how you’ve learned to break the necessary chores into small chunks to “find time.” I’ll be interested to see how all this is working out a few months from now. You have impressive discipline, so I’m sure you’ll meet your goals!🤗
It is the key but how do you find it? That’s what I’ve been searching for these many years. Constantly striving to improve and adapt- even if it’s just through a better chore schedule – makes me feel happier. That sounds odd but practicing your ability to improve and change seems like an important part of human growth.
This week has been odd and I haven’t done so great with the chores but I should be back on track tomorrow night. I’ll let you know how it’s going in a couple of months!
Well, you were probably asking rhetorically, and of course I don’t have the answer. I expect those who seek will find – with a lot of trial and error along the way!
Yes! There is nothing wrong with trial and error. Personally, I think that’s a brilliant way to learn. 🙂