I walked into my office this morning and was actually surprised by the disaster that it had become. My desk was covered in voice over copy, lists, fabric, unfinished projects, bills, empty cups.....even a lamp shade I recently found at a garage sale. There was a dead plant on my windowsill, toys scattered all over the floor, a window screen that needed to be fixed and piles of books and magazines stacked up high that needed a home.
As I looked at the crazy mess, I noted that my office or "creative space," was trying to tell me something. If only walls could talk right? Well, the disaster that was my space was actually screaming at me. "You are scattered! You are overwhelmed!" I'd say all ingredients for an easy recipe of completely burning out. And as I listened to the chaos, I realized that my office was not the only thing giving me signs of total drainage. My body was too. I pinched a nerve the other day in my back and yesterday, I had an awful migraine. So, I decided to act fast and I knew exactly what I needed. I was due for a time out.
As I looked at the crazy mess, I noted that my office or "creative space," was trying to tell me something. If only walls could talk right? Well, the disaster that was my space was actually screaming at me. "You are scattered! You are overwhelmed!" I'd say all ingredients for an easy recipe of completely burning out. And as I listened to the chaos, I realized that my office was not the only thing giving me signs of total drainage. My body was too. I pinched a nerve the other day in my back and yesterday, I had an awful migraine. So, I decided to act fast and I knew exactly what I needed. I was due for a time out.
As with our children, we can sometimes feel like a time out is a negative thing, a punishment if you will. But, a time out is a space to think, a place to reflect on what you're doing and a chance to take a deep breath. How many of us are practically hyper ventilating every day with the amount of to do lists and responsibilities we have in our lives? When is there room to actually take a deep breath?
So, instead of working on a project, cleaning my office, or doing the laundry during a free second, I gave myself a time out. I'll admit, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had the urge many times to jot another item on the to do list, wash a dish or send out a work email, but instead, I forced myself to close my eyes and listen. As I took a few deep breaths, I reflected on the patterns I had created for myself and listened to my body and mind breathe. And when I was done, I felt reenergized, open and ready for a new routine. So, I started fresh with a clean, creative space.
When you throw your noodles, remember to give yourself a time out and listen. Sometimes, taking a breath is all you need to move forward.
So, instead of working on a project, cleaning my office, or doing the laundry during a free second, I gave myself a time out. I'll admit, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had the urge many times to jot another item on the to do list, wash a dish or send out a work email, but instead, I forced myself to close my eyes and listen. As I took a few deep breaths, I reflected on the patterns I had created for myself and listened to my body and mind breathe. And when I was done, I felt reenergized, open and ready for a new routine. So, I started fresh with a clean, creative space.
When you throw your noodles, remember to give yourself a time out and listen. Sometimes, taking a breath is all you need to move forward.
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