Do What You Love
9 May 2013
I stumbled upon this little gem of wisdom on the sidewalk in Napa a few weeks ago, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It’s such an important thing to remind ourselves of, however our days may be filled. I’m really happy to say that I love my work, that writing exhilarates me, that building my career excites me in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. But I also want to do what I love in my free time, and not just because I find that my work is better when I have it in a healthy balance with my hobbies. My whole life is better when I devote my down time to things that recharge and energize me. This is why I’m so dedicated to making monthly fun goals, and why I make sure to do something with my hands every day. However, I am so not the master of this endeavor. I try my very best to be conscious of my time, and to be aware of the times of day when I’m most tired (…and then use those times for tea or reading!) Probably not many people accomplish as much in a day as they hope to or plan to, but I’ve been making it a point to reflect on my goals for the day in the morning and to review the day at night before I go to bed. It has been a really awesome help thus far, and it’s led me to make a few resolutions. Okay, maybe just one. I want to shift my schedule a bit. For a long time I had a very reasonable bedtime and waking time. And then a few weeks ago I got some really riveting library books…and starting staying up way too late! And consequently getting up later than I wanted to. I never really went too wild, but for some reason I am just really sensitive to small changes in my sleep habits. I wasn’t sleeping until 11am–more like 9:30. But I’m feeling like I’m really missing my mornings, and I want to roll things back so I can make better use of my time. And so…once I finish typing this, I am going to bed! Hopefully I can get this little shift underway, and then I can do more of the things of I love in my daylight hours. How about you? Are doing what you love? I so hope the answer is yes!
May 12, 2013 @ 14:36:42
I love these musings. And I agree with them wholeheartedly. I’m never as productive as when I feel inspired or when I listen to my body and go to bed early or read with the pup for an hour after getting home (I have been reincorporating fun books into my life now that the semester sprint has been completed! Ura! I’ve already finished one book and I’m back into the Game of Thrones now….”The Hare” will be next, though!). Balance is key! xx
May 14, 2013 @ 17:29:23
Balance is so key! And amen to listening to your body! Last night I stayed up too late and still dragged myself out of bed early this morning, and I have been in a daze all day. You’d think I’d know by now that if I want to get up early, I have to go to bed early! But at least every day is a new chance to get it right:)
May 14, 2013 @ 04:46:24
What a lovely testament to listening to one’s own knowledge. I too feel I have more of a head start on the day when I rise early… um, earlier. And shifting my bedtime back just a few minutes feels like an enormous luxury. I’m always glad I did the next day.
May 14, 2013 @ 17:43:35
This is wisdom I need to hear today, since I stayed up too late and got up too early, thinking I’d teach myself a lesson. Ha! It doesn’t quite work that way. Guess I’ll be hitting the hay earlier tonight!