So thrilled to have had so many great comments on my post about time, time running away, habits, routine etc! Meanwhile, just spotted this on The Guardian website .... https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/08/streak-daily-ritual-can-enrich-your-life-or-become-unhealthy-obsession ... to build a new routine/habit ... is maintaining a streak the way to go!? "... our love of streaks taps into something primitive within us. Humans, she says, love streaking because of a concept called loss aversion. 'Humans are often more motivated by the fear of losing something than by the prospect of gaining something new'.”
I think the important question to ask yourself is if something serious was to happen to your health and you hadn’t done the things you wanted to or that brought you true joy, would you be besieged by regrets?
If the answer is yes, you need to make changes now and reverse the narrative.
No one is irreplaceable and if you stop people pleasing and only please yourself, time will become your friend and you will fill it with things that make YOU happy.
You can buy a lot of things but you can’t buy time.
I am similarly overwhelmed by rapidly disappearing time, although my anxiety has improved with medication. I’m a doctor, part-time public and part-time private. I see about 30 clinic patients each week, which means clinic letters and other associated admin, as well as various other admin/projects in the public job. It’s 10:45 pm and I’ve negotiated with myself to do another hour of letter editing before bed… I wish I had better solutions. I’m starting to implement AI in my clinics - it listens to the appointment and creates a letter, which I can obviously tweak, and it gets smarter the more I use it. But I need the time to implement it properly, which I don’t have. I have similar neck/back pain to you, not helped by being rear-ended a few months ago. I have regular remedial massages and I’m seeing a physio too. I have a Pilates reformer at home, but I’m not using it enough - I need to embed it in my “routine”. I see a personal trainer for weights once a week. I got a new desk chair and a vertical mouse, which have helped. Keeping my phone out of my bedroom has stopped the morning doom scrolling/time wasting. I have SO many reminders on my phone re. various life admin, otherwise it won’t happen. Re. housework - I do it in short bursts over a few days. Maximum one hour at a time. Sorry for the trauma dump! Clearly at almost-50 I have not got it figured out yet!
I’ll add my daily non-negotiables: 5 minutes in the morning for a handful of word games (Connections, Waffle, NYT Mini Crossword, Minute Cryptic - I gave up on Wordle earlier this year after I lost my streak) and a cup of tea (strong, milk, 2 sugars). Finish the day posting a photo on Instagram (I have been participating in a photo-a-day challenge since June 2013 and haven’t missed a day), and doing Duolingo French (1475-day streak).
Streaks might be the key ... did you see the article I linked to above? (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/08/streak-daily-ritual-can-enrich-your-life-or-become-unhealthy-obsession) ... BUT you have non-negotiables and I LOVE that ... I have um, coffee (??) ... and making sure my dog gets her walks ... and that's a lot of word games to fit in five minutes!!!!! I've been using AI a lot (shhhhh....) for some corporate work I do where all that matters is clarity of message and creativity of writing is not needed. It's saving me a bunch of time.
Oh I love that article! Clearly I am highly motivated by streaks. I also felt a huge sense of relief when I lost my Wordle streak - freedom from its clutches!
I hear you! The hours, days and weeks seemingly fly by without us even noticing. While I’m not self-employed, I have tried to embrace the “just enough” approach with my paid job…and strictly enforcing my boundaries with my employer - not working on my one day off, or on holidays, and not doing overtime unless there is something critical. This was a hard learnt lesson, but so worth it now.
On the housework front, there are days for each job eg. towels washed in Thursdays, sheets on Saturdays, bathrooms on Mondays etc. and we both know the jobs to be done.
I also loved an interview with Brene Brown where she talked about it not being 50/50 with your partner, but rather communicating with one another and saying “I’ve only got 20 today” and your partner either stepping up with an 80 or agreeing on what gets dropped that day or week to compensate. This mindset shift has helped us immensely!
No silver bullets here, but good luck with finding what works for you! x
I'm starting to think that maybe the solution is to simplify everything. Have as little stuff as possible. As little technology as possible. A return to 1950.
Hi Steph, and hello to fellow subscribers. I'm reading your comments with respect for the collective wisdom. Here are my insights, in the spirit of casting a few sprigs into an already nourishing broth: first, from my own experience and reading, pain in the upper arms or neck may be early warning signs of SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection), especially for women, with stress being a factor; in my case, the vascular condition is also congenital. Additionally, it's understandable that our society's impossibly high standards can cause fatigue, guilt, anxiety and/or other ailments. Turning 58 this year, I feel grateful to have retired early, with illness as the liberating factor. I've learned to say no. And whilst I try to adhere to sensible habits that need no repeating here among intelligent folk, I practise these on my own terms, not according to ideals of gurus or influencers. (Beware of 'toxic wellness', whereby purists develop fascist traits.) For example, I cannot do strenuous aerobic exercise. But I can handle gentle, regular walks and moderate gardening. I make healthy smoothies, just not every day. I never smoke, seldom drink alcohol, and avoid sugary drinks, but love chocolate. Our coffee drinking dropped from thrice to twice daily, but can we ever limit it to one? Unlikely. As for sleep: I know it matters to catch morning sunlight for vitamin D, but if I've had insomnia, I'll sleep in, thanks. And yes, it's true that we should turn all our screens off long before bedtime and read a book instead. I follow this rule most nights, but - well, occasionally the temptation to scroll for vintage spindles is too overpowering. We have four indoor cats, all rescued. They make a mess. We do our best to keep our home clean and maintained. But it's never going to be pristine. Our friends know to give us ample notice of visits. There are several societal expectations that we flunked: we never fulfilled our earning potential. Never procreated. Never toured widely. (I travelled just enough to learn that home is where I'm happiest.) But we have been, and are still, creative and compassionate. I'm slowly learning how to listen to my inner Crone and, dare I say, the Crazy Cat Lady, heh! Big hugs to all.
I love this comment Louisa!!!! (Vintage spindles!!!) I've always said I didn't ever want to retire but now I'm not so sure! Your life sounds just perfect to me! I'll look up SCAD! God. That sounds scary.XX
Thanks for another really interesting newsletter, Stephanie. Sorry you're grappling with back pain. Really hope it eases soon.
I'm not a rigid by-the-clock person, but there are some good habits I do stick with, including dealing with any finance stuff as soon as I get to my desk, whatever else might be happening. Can't bear that stuff mounting up.
Other routines?
Morning cuppa and a cryptic crossword with my man (rock 'n' roll!).
My unbroken Duolingo streak, ever since Britain voted to leave the EU in 2016 and I was so dejected I needed to do something pro-European, so started learning languages.
Choir.
PIlates.
Walking the dog.
Er… Wordle.
But not much is precisely timetabled. Just habit. x
I need nothing else!!! But ... see my post about WhatsApp groups ... a local friend, a cryptic crossword guru, had a lunch/CC masterclass the other day and I could see that I could get hooked if I did have time!
Great and contemplative piece. Because I’m sure you love unsolicited advice - have you been to a rheumatologist to rule out arthritis? It took years of my neck and back being on fire and stiff joints, with pain that didn’t respond to physio, to discover I actually have inflammatory arthritis and it’s not great to leave it untreated… Hope you can get to the bottom of it! (And back to your point, yes the passage of time is a wilful and tricky beast).
thanks Lisa ... no, haven't been to a rheumatologist but I just KNOW how bad my posture is ... how stressed I am ... but now I'm getting paranoid (feels creaky sore joints in hands!!!!😱)!!!
Goodness. I wish I could curl up on an artfully arranged couch and have a conversation with you over a cuppa about your opening words. In lieu of that I’d say start following Koren Helbig on Insta. And, as someone who’s had both serious RSI and now frozen shoulder, pay attention to what your body’s telling you. Take care xxx
my couch is a mess of dog pillows and blankets and I am pushed to a small corner so she gets to spread out!!! I'll go look for Koren Helbig! thanks! yeah, my body is telling me I will die ... better listen to it!
It could be arthritis pinching nerves and there is a simple medication which gave me almost 100 % relief in no time.
If the relief you get from physio is only temporary, you’re paying for his holidays, which don’t seem to please him in any case. Better you save the money for your holidays.
Re time management, cut yourself some slack.
Freelance inevitably forces you to think about work all the time, unless you’re independently wealthy.
Retirement does not deserve the bad rap it gets.
I’m more content with life than I’ve ever been, although I still dislike most people.
I do feel for you! I think being self employed is tough for time management. You’re having to do absolutely eveything yourself. I have to recommend a robot vacum cleaner - they are worth their weight in gold! Then again I have no carpet just hard floors which they are best for. I have routines for my 4 days a week that I work as I like being organized. It keeps my head clear. I hate to be busy as it stresses me out. I get grumpy and irritable if I have too much on so I make sure I live a fairly peaceful life. Which is no help to you really… I love to organise as it used to be my job some years ago and I enjoy the challenge. I think you either are an organizer or you’re not. Again, not a lot of help to you. Are you taking too much on? Do you need to start saying no? Good luck I wish I had some great answers for you xox
I like the idea of the robot vacuum cleaner ... but I don't have a huge space and there's lots of furniture!!?? I am an organiser, but there's just so little time to be organised! thanks so much for your thoughts!
I love this quote by Charles Duhigg "there’s only been one killer productivity app, and it is, thinking more deeply...." One of my "time hacks" is listening to podcasts about productivity when I have to drive long distances, that way I don't feel like the time is technically being wasted, LOL.
I find that when all is overwhelming , I climb into bed and fall into a deep power nap. I turn off my phone and no one can get me . I am safe. The feeling of a hot shower after and someting delicious to eat and a good coffee totally resets me and I am good to go. I use an app called Actions Monthly and its so simple. I write down my daily things i want to achieve - i dont make them ridiculously hard. Other items i store under a heading that will have me tring to beat myself and finish it all. Everything else goes in a written red leather bound annual Diary with a pen.
yep. my tactic too Arabella. Turn off the phone. Curtain closed. Yes, safety. Although for me I'm not sure that really recharges me and I'm left with a guilty feeling. I'll take a look at Actions Monthly ... thanks for the tips! I have a notebook ... nice cartridge-style paper ... and I like to try to write a daily list with a sharpened pencil, but, who am I kidding ... I do it only every few days ....
Loved this newsletter, thank you for sharing. And sending you positive healing vibes.
I am not naturally good at building a routine, but I notice how much my anxiety and stress levels drop when I do keep it up. My routine is filled with simple things like going to the gym three times per week for one hour, making my brekkie for work the night before, and keeping meals easy unless I am eating out. Sometimes my gym trips are late in the evening because of work but that is a sacrifice I am now willing to make. And if I can't get to the gym, there are plenty of things I can do at home: a walk, pilates, yoga, etc etc. Best thing I did was invest in great headphones as a gift to myself, having them makes me excited to walk and tune into my fave podcasts :)
I am also now on decaf, and drinking limited alcohol, which I actually do not mind, as I feel so much better! I am doing all of this now, because I recently turned 40 and I have tight muscles etc and I want to get on top of it, so I can continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Do I enjoy all of it, no. But do I know it makes me feel better, yes. I suffered from burn out in 2019, and ended up in A&E, and that is a place I never want to go back to, so that thought keeps me going! I also found hypnosis to be hugely helpful for a whole range of things!
I also used to get so overwhelmed by personal and work emails, so now I commit to clearing out my personal ones, and importantly, actioning things vs procrastinating. Again, this is to help me feel less anxious and more in control. One big thing has been taking control of my finances -- understanding what I have, where I want to be, and making a plan to get there. But ultimately, your health is your wealth. Without that, life gets tough, real quick.
Routine and habits are hard to build but easier to maintain when you feel and see the difference! My job can be very busy at times, so my routine may change, but that is something I am working on right now -- consistency, even when life is hectic! Not easy, but I will keep trying!
thanks so much for these thoughts Kat! Sounds to me like you have built amazing routines! Today I nearly finished a huge corporate writing project (just a bit more to finesse it tomorrow first thing) and I hope to give myself a few days now to regroup and think about how I can build some better routine into my week.
My job involves writing lengthy documents on scientific topics, which extensively reference the scientific literature. We use reference management software such as Endnote and Reference Manager. These are essentially databases where you can enter the details of all your source material, save a copy of the material itself, place citation markers in the document and then automatically generate the reference list when you've finished. Fortunately, I don't have to pay for the software myself as my employer provides it, and it might be overkill for you as you probably don't need the citation/reference list function. But the database function would be a useful tool for organising and storing your material. I'm not familiar with whether Evernote does this.
thanks so much Liza ... prob Endnote and RM are overkill for me indeed but good to know about them ... I'll go looking for them! The other challenge I have, as a non-academic writer, is, when I'm writing these sort of white papers as a non-academic writer, what material to cite and what is not credible... so easy to Google "research" on "X" or "Y" topic and stuff comes up but how to know what is good research and what is dross... and how to cite stuff when it's like a literature review ... and when to go back to the source material!!!! So many questions as to best-practice for non-academic material!
You've once again have captured the essence of what so many of us are thinking, grappling with. This time, about "time". Routine also evades me, but I know I should be more structured. I loved the key thought behind "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" written by former Guardian journalist Oliver Burkeman. Maybe you've read it too. He says to embrace finitude, which is the opposite of trying to do it all and hence creating more time. Still processing this (the book could've been distilled into a long essay, but it was fun to listen to key chapters via library audiobook). Looking forward to what you write next about "time". And keep those Nancy Drew's!!!
So thrilled to have had so many great comments on my post about time, time running away, habits, routine etc! Meanwhile, just spotted this on The Guardian website .... https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/08/streak-daily-ritual-can-enrich-your-life-or-become-unhealthy-obsession ... to build a new routine/habit ... is maintaining a streak the way to go!? "... our love of streaks taps into something primitive within us. Humans, she says, love streaking because of a concept called loss aversion. 'Humans are often more motivated by the fear of losing something than by the prospect of gaining something new'.”
I think the important question to ask yourself is if something serious was to happen to your health and you hadn’t done the things you wanted to or that brought you true joy, would you be besieged by regrets?
If the answer is yes, you need to make changes now and reverse the narrative.
No one is irreplaceable and if you stop people pleasing and only please yourself, time will become your friend and you will fill it with things that make YOU happy.
You can buy a lot of things but you can’t buy time.
Very wise, sadly, the answer is 'yes'. Will think hard on this!
I am similarly overwhelmed by rapidly disappearing time, although my anxiety has improved with medication. I’m a doctor, part-time public and part-time private. I see about 30 clinic patients each week, which means clinic letters and other associated admin, as well as various other admin/projects in the public job. It’s 10:45 pm and I’ve negotiated with myself to do another hour of letter editing before bed… I wish I had better solutions. I’m starting to implement AI in my clinics - it listens to the appointment and creates a letter, which I can obviously tweak, and it gets smarter the more I use it. But I need the time to implement it properly, which I don’t have. I have similar neck/back pain to you, not helped by being rear-ended a few months ago. I have regular remedial massages and I’m seeing a physio too. I have a Pilates reformer at home, but I’m not using it enough - I need to embed it in my “routine”. I see a personal trainer for weights once a week. I got a new desk chair and a vertical mouse, which have helped. Keeping my phone out of my bedroom has stopped the morning doom scrolling/time wasting. I have SO many reminders on my phone re. various life admin, otherwise it won’t happen. Re. housework - I do it in short bursts over a few days. Maximum one hour at a time. Sorry for the trauma dump! Clearly at almost-50 I have not got it figured out yet!
I’ll add my daily non-negotiables: 5 minutes in the morning for a handful of word games (Connections, Waffle, NYT Mini Crossword, Minute Cryptic - I gave up on Wordle earlier this year after I lost my streak) and a cup of tea (strong, milk, 2 sugars). Finish the day posting a photo on Instagram (I have been participating in a photo-a-day challenge since June 2013 and haven’t missed a day), and doing Duolingo French (1475-day streak).
And, as if you need another link to something to tell you how to be more productive ... but, this ... https://www.fastcompany.com/91186280/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-claudes-ai-superpowers ... I haven't had time to explore it yet but Claude's "Projects" are meant to be the next big thing.
Streaks might be the key ... did you see the article I linked to above? (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/08/streak-daily-ritual-can-enrich-your-life-or-become-unhealthy-obsession) ... BUT you have non-negotiables and I LOVE that ... I have um, coffee (??) ... and making sure my dog gets her walks ... and that's a lot of word games to fit in five minutes!!!!! I've been using AI a lot (shhhhh....) for some corporate work I do where all that matters is clarity of message and creativity of writing is not needed. It's saving me a bunch of time.
Oh I love that article! Clearly I am highly motivated by streaks. I also felt a huge sense of relief when I lost my Wordle streak - freedom from its clutches!
I hear you! The hours, days and weeks seemingly fly by without us even noticing. While I’m not self-employed, I have tried to embrace the “just enough” approach with my paid job…and strictly enforcing my boundaries with my employer - not working on my one day off, or on holidays, and not doing overtime unless there is something critical. This was a hard learnt lesson, but so worth it now.
On the housework front, there are days for each job eg. towels washed in Thursdays, sheets on Saturdays, bathrooms on Mondays etc. and we both know the jobs to be done.
I also loved an interview with Brene Brown where she talked about it not being 50/50 with your partner, but rather communicating with one another and saying “I’ve only got 20 today” and your partner either stepping up with an 80 or agreeing on what gets dropped that day or week to compensate. This mindset shift has helped us immensely!
No silver bullets here, but good luck with finding what works for you! x
I'm starting to think that maybe the solution is to simplify everything. Have as little stuff as possible. As little technology as possible. A return to 1950.
I agree! Less stuff equals less to manage!
Hi Steph, and hello to fellow subscribers. I'm reading your comments with respect for the collective wisdom. Here are my insights, in the spirit of casting a few sprigs into an already nourishing broth: first, from my own experience and reading, pain in the upper arms or neck may be early warning signs of SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection), especially for women, with stress being a factor; in my case, the vascular condition is also congenital. Additionally, it's understandable that our society's impossibly high standards can cause fatigue, guilt, anxiety and/or other ailments. Turning 58 this year, I feel grateful to have retired early, with illness as the liberating factor. I've learned to say no. And whilst I try to adhere to sensible habits that need no repeating here among intelligent folk, I practise these on my own terms, not according to ideals of gurus or influencers. (Beware of 'toxic wellness', whereby purists develop fascist traits.) For example, I cannot do strenuous aerobic exercise. But I can handle gentle, regular walks and moderate gardening. I make healthy smoothies, just not every day. I never smoke, seldom drink alcohol, and avoid sugary drinks, but love chocolate. Our coffee drinking dropped from thrice to twice daily, but can we ever limit it to one? Unlikely. As for sleep: I know it matters to catch morning sunlight for vitamin D, but if I've had insomnia, I'll sleep in, thanks. And yes, it's true that we should turn all our screens off long before bedtime and read a book instead. I follow this rule most nights, but - well, occasionally the temptation to scroll for vintage spindles is too overpowering. We have four indoor cats, all rescued. They make a mess. We do our best to keep our home clean and maintained. But it's never going to be pristine. Our friends know to give us ample notice of visits. There are several societal expectations that we flunked: we never fulfilled our earning potential. Never procreated. Never toured widely. (I travelled just enough to learn that home is where I'm happiest.) But we have been, and are still, creative and compassionate. I'm slowly learning how to listen to my inner Crone and, dare I say, the Crazy Cat Lady, heh! Big hugs to all.
I love this comment Louisa!!!! (Vintage spindles!!!) I've always said I didn't ever want to retire but now I'm not so sure! Your life sounds just perfect to me! I'll look up SCAD! God. That sounds scary.XX
Thanks for another really interesting newsletter, Stephanie. Sorry you're grappling with back pain. Really hope it eases soon.
I'm not a rigid by-the-clock person, but there are some good habits I do stick with, including dealing with any finance stuff as soon as I get to my desk, whatever else might be happening. Can't bear that stuff mounting up.
Other routines?
Morning cuppa and a cryptic crossword with my man (rock 'n' roll!).
My unbroken Duolingo streak, ever since Britain voted to leave the EU in 2016 and I was so dejected I needed to do something pro-European, so started learning languages.
Choir.
PIlates.
Walking the dog.
Er… Wordle.
But not much is precisely timetabled. Just habit. x
the cryptic crossword! wish I had time to learn them!X
Not that you need anything else to add to your to-do list, but I highly recommend Minute Cryptic: https://www.minutecryptic.com/. There was something about it in the SMH this weekend: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/small-secret-becomes-online-puzzle-phenomenon-6-7-20240821-p5k46i.html
I need nothing else!!! But ... see my post about WhatsApp groups ... a local friend, a cryptic crossword guru, had a lunch/CC masterclass the other day and I could see that I could get hooked if I did have time!
Great and contemplative piece. Because I’m sure you love unsolicited advice - have you been to a rheumatologist to rule out arthritis? It took years of my neck and back being on fire and stiff joints, with pain that didn’t respond to physio, to discover I actually have inflammatory arthritis and it’s not great to leave it untreated… Hope you can get to the bottom of it! (And back to your point, yes the passage of time is a wilful and tricky beast).
thanks Lisa ... no, haven't been to a rheumatologist but I just KNOW how bad my posture is ... how stressed I am ... but now I'm getting paranoid (feels creaky sore joints in hands!!!!😱)!!!
Goodness. I wish I could curl up on an artfully arranged couch and have a conversation with you over a cuppa about your opening words. In lieu of that I’d say start following Koren Helbig on Insta. And, as someone who’s had both serious RSI and now frozen shoulder, pay attention to what your body’s telling you. Take care xxx
my couch is a mess of dog pillows and blankets and I am pushed to a small corner so she gets to spread out!!! I'll go look for Koren Helbig! thanks! yeah, my body is telling me I will die ... better listen to it!
On your Nancy Drew books, here is a sad song from the 90s about someone whose parents threw out her collection: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4u0-FY7pk
thanks Jenny!!! will listen. I WILL write a post about my Nancy Drew books!!!
I've just listened to it! OMG! I adore it!!!!!! Thank you for the link. I will use it in someplace soon!
I’d be getting an MRI to check out the back pain.
It could be arthritis pinching nerves and there is a simple medication which gave me almost 100 % relief in no time.
If the relief you get from physio is only temporary, you’re paying for his holidays, which don’t seem to please him in any case. Better you save the money for your holidays.
Re time management, cut yourself some slack.
Freelance inevitably forces you to think about work all the time, unless you’re independently wealthy.
Retirement does not deserve the bad rap it gets.
I’m more content with life than I’ve ever been, although I still dislike most people.
I do feel for you! I think being self employed is tough for time management. You’re having to do absolutely eveything yourself. I have to recommend a robot vacum cleaner - they are worth their weight in gold! Then again I have no carpet just hard floors which they are best for. I have routines for my 4 days a week that I work as I like being organized. It keeps my head clear. I hate to be busy as it stresses me out. I get grumpy and irritable if I have too much on so I make sure I live a fairly peaceful life. Which is no help to you really… I love to organise as it used to be my job some years ago and I enjoy the challenge. I think you either are an organizer or you’re not. Again, not a lot of help to you. Are you taking too much on? Do you need to start saying no? Good luck I wish I had some great answers for you xox
I like the idea of the robot vacuum cleaner ... but I don't have a huge space and there's lots of furniture!!?? I am an organiser, but there's just so little time to be organised! thanks so much for your thoughts!
I love this quote by Charles Duhigg "there’s only been one killer productivity app, and it is, thinking more deeply...." One of my "time hacks" is listening to podcasts about productivity when I have to drive long distances, that way I don't feel like the time is technically being wasted, LOL.
Anyway I really enjoyed this interview that Brene Brown did with Charles Duhigg on Habits and Productivity, it made me think really differently about productivity, it's quite an enjoyable listen... https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-charles-duhigg-on-habits-and-productivity/
I find that when all is overwhelming , I climb into bed and fall into a deep power nap. I turn off my phone and no one can get me . I am safe. The feeling of a hot shower after and someting delicious to eat and a good coffee totally resets me and I am good to go. I use an app called Actions Monthly and its so simple. I write down my daily things i want to achieve - i dont make them ridiculously hard. Other items i store under a heading that will have me tring to beat myself and finish it all. Everything else goes in a written red leather bound annual Diary with a pen.
yep. my tactic too Arabella. Turn off the phone. Curtain closed. Yes, safety. Although for me I'm not sure that really recharges me and I'm left with a guilty feeling. I'll take a look at Actions Monthly ... thanks for the tips! I have a notebook ... nice cartridge-style paper ... and I like to try to write a daily list with a sharpened pencil, but, who am I kidding ... I do it only every few days ....
Loved this newsletter, thank you for sharing. And sending you positive healing vibes.
I am not naturally good at building a routine, but I notice how much my anxiety and stress levels drop when I do keep it up. My routine is filled with simple things like going to the gym three times per week for one hour, making my brekkie for work the night before, and keeping meals easy unless I am eating out. Sometimes my gym trips are late in the evening because of work but that is a sacrifice I am now willing to make. And if I can't get to the gym, there are plenty of things I can do at home: a walk, pilates, yoga, etc etc. Best thing I did was invest in great headphones as a gift to myself, having them makes me excited to walk and tune into my fave podcasts :)
I am also now on decaf, and drinking limited alcohol, which I actually do not mind, as I feel so much better! I am doing all of this now, because I recently turned 40 and I have tight muscles etc and I want to get on top of it, so I can continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Do I enjoy all of it, no. But do I know it makes me feel better, yes. I suffered from burn out in 2019, and ended up in A&E, and that is a place I never want to go back to, so that thought keeps me going! I also found hypnosis to be hugely helpful for a whole range of things!
I also used to get so overwhelmed by personal and work emails, so now I commit to clearing out my personal ones, and importantly, actioning things vs procrastinating. Again, this is to help me feel less anxious and more in control. One big thing has been taking control of my finances -- understanding what I have, where I want to be, and making a plan to get there. But ultimately, your health is your wealth. Without that, life gets tough, real quick.
Routine and habits are hard to build but easier to maintain when you feel and see the difference! My job can be very busy at times, so my routine may change, but that is something I am working on right now -- consistency, even when life is hectic! Not easy, but I will keep trying!
thanks so much for these thoughts Kat! Sounds to me like you have built amazing routines! Today I nearly finished a huge corporate writing project (just a bit more to finesse it tomorrow first thing) and I hope to give myself a few days now to regroup and think about how I can build some better routine into my week.
My job involves writing lengthy documents on scientific topics, which extensively reference the scientific literature. We use reference management software such as Endnote and Reference Manager. These are essentially databases where you can enter the details of all your source material, save a copy of the material itself, place citation markers in the document and then automatically generate the reference list when you've finished. Fortunately, I don't have to pay for the software myself as my employer provides it, and it might be overkill for you as you probably don't need the citation/reference list function. But the database function would be a useful tool for organising and storing your material. I'm not familiar with whether Evernote does this.
thanks so much Liza ... prob Endnote and RM are overkill for me indeed but good to know about them ... I'll go looking for them! The other challenge I have, as a non-academic writer, is, when I'm writing these sort of white papers as a non-academic writer, what material to cite and what is not credible... so easy to Google "research" on "X" or "Y" topic and stuff comes up but how to know what is good research and what is dross... and how to cite stuff when it's like a literature review ... and when to go back to the source material!!!! So many questions as to best-practice for non-academic material!
You've once again have captured the essence of what so many of us are thinking, grappling with. This time, about "time". Routine also evades me, but I know I should be more structured. I loved the key thought behind "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" written by former Guardian journalist Oliver Burkeman. Maybe you've read it too. He says to embrace finitude, which is the opposite of trying to do it all and hence creating more time. Still processing this (the book could've been distilled into a long essay, but it was fun to listen to key chapters via library audiobook). Looking forward to what you write next about "time". And keep those Nancy Drew's!!!
Oh, dear dear SCK! Great to have you hear. I can't believe you're not good at routine! I'll go looking for the Burkeman book.