It's incredible to me that tomorrow is the last day of November. I know that the last part of the year seems to go by quickly every year, but this year it seems even swifter than normal. As it's the last Monday of the month, that means it's time for my check in with my One Little Word. Thanks as always to Carolyn for hosting our once-a-month link-ups!
Balance has been more of a challenge for me this month. There have been work deadlines and unexpected meetings and holidays and vaccine shots. Some of these things have been good and others not so good; what they have in common is that they've all posed different demands on my time that has sometimes meant given up time I normally would have given to something else. I think the health part of the equation took a hit in particular this month. Twice this month I have broken my step streak. The first time was when I had that unexpected synagogue board meeting, and then it was broken again just this past weekend. In both cases, I was busy with things during the day, and by the time I had a moment free when I could have conceivably gone for my walk, it was too dark and creepy outside to do so. My initial reaction to breaking the streak (especially the first time, when it was several hundred days long) was annoyance and even anger. Moving my body every day has become such a big part of my routine in the last year and a half plus, and it's become one way that I keep my stress in check. But I realized that perhaps part of the reason I was upset was because I was falsely equating missing my walk with being lazy, and laziness has been my biggest obstacle in the past. I had to remind myself that taking the hour or hour and a half every day to walk is a luxury and one that I can't always afford. Having a truly balanced lifestyle means that there will always be give and take, and I have to look at the overall picture. My goal shouldn't necessary be to get 10K steps every day but rather to average that many over the week, the month, or even the year. And really that's the kind of moderation I should be aiming for in pretty much all aspects of my life.
I don't really have a 21 in 2021 update to share because I have no further updates to the list since I last shared my progress in September. At this point, it's looking doubtful I'll finish every item on the list by the end of the year (I don't think there will be much bike riding in the three weeks we're still in town this year) -- but that's okay! I knew when I made the list that some things would be a stretch and it was the stretching that was the goal, not the individual items on the list. I don't know that I'll do a list of 22 items to do in 2022, but I think my One Little Word for next year is going to help to continue the exercise of stretching myself.
How has your word played out in this penultimate month of 2021? Are you finding it hard to stay focused now that we're so close to wrapping things up on this year's word? Have you figured out your word for next year yet?
It sounds like you are truly figuring out what it means to have balance in your life.
ReplyDeleteI think that's it--as you said, "Having a truly balanced lifestyle means that there will always be give and take, and I have to look at the overall picture." There are so many things I'd LOVE to do, as Kym would say, Every Damn Day :) But in this season of life, so much of my time goes to taking care of my family that ONE of the few things I do EDD is *choose.* MOST days, I choose exercise. Most days, I choose reading. And writing. But the reason I don't do #100dayprojects (or habit tracking, or the like) is because The Label means I'll be really hard on myself if I miss one lousy day. If I can aim for 'most days,' I'm really happy. If I have to look at my one 'failed' day, I see that--instead of the 99 days I DID do XYZ. So, your point really resonates with me! (As does the warp speed of this fall. Sheesh.)
ReplyDeleteI understand the unwillingness to break such a long streak. I've started thinking about some form of exercise that I will actually do when the weather gets cold and especially icy. I know I didn't walk hardly at all last winter because I was afraid of slipping on ice, so I'm looking at stationary bikes. I can't justify the expense of a Peloton, but something that's a bit less expensive might work. You are certainly not lazy and walking is important. Give and take sounds right!
ReplyDeleteYou meet the Balance challenge with thoughtful grace. Although I haven't posted regularly, my word season creeps into blog posts now and again. I've enjoyed musing about it.
ReplyDeleteThe give and take is the hardest part for me. I'm constantly weighing out pros/cons of how to use my time. And it's funny because I also spent November wrestling with the idea of feeling lazy - which is absolutely untrue for both of us! So I keep thinking of seasons, cycles, and rhythms.. and as we're moving into winter, it feels especially important.
ReplyDeleteI've loved thinking about my own balance as I've followed along with yours this year. I can't wait to see your 2022 word!
Balance in action! Well done!! I think that finding that balance can be so hard... and sometimes we are our own worst enemy in being balanced.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your incredible progress this month!
It sounds like you discovered the key to your balancing "act," Sarah. It would be nice to feel perfectly balanced every day, but sometimes we have to take the broader (deeper, wider) view ... that overall balance is the real goal. Being flexible is what keeps us balanced, I think! (And like Adriene says in her yoga videos . . . if you fall, the earth will catch you.) XO
ReplyDeleteI changed from every day to nearly every day and it was such a gift - took off so much pressure because I had that same response - and I do not believe that either of us are lazy. Seems like this has been a very good work for you Sarah.
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