I rarely sit still. I don't relax like most people think of relaxation. When my house is clean and organized, I feel less anxious. When the grass is cut and clear, I enjoy sitting outside more. I love pulling weeds. It gives me such satisfaction taking the junk out of the ground and manicuring flower beds, by yanking them out and getting dirty. I don't typically sit and just watch television. I'm either on my phone scrolling or working on something on my computer. I'm a veracious reader of non-fiction, historical fiction or stories that involve warrior women overcoming societal norms. Never just fluff reading. Reaction being part of my nature, its been a growth challenge for me to PAUSE. As a leader I've always believed that I needed to have all the answers, that I needed to have immediate solutions or that everything was urgent. This led me to burnout, making too many mistakes and going back on initial decisions. Being so reactive also caused me not think about ...
I am a planner!!! My Google Calendar is filled with work meetings, personal activities, medical appointments and specific things that I need to accomplish within my day. If something is not on my Google Calendar, I rarely remember to do it. Even the Facebook events that I'm "interested" in; those need to be in my calendar to make sure that I'll actually attend it, or remind myself to register for the event.
At school, I put in every single meeting, classroom observation, as well as reminders on when I need to send out specific letters/notifications, when I need to follow up with families or teachers, or when certain deadlines need to be completed. At home, I keep track of all my kids sport activities, when they have after school events or when they need to have doctors appointments. I also keep track of my husbands coaching days/times and appointments so I know when I need to be home to take out or dogs or make sure I'm available to take my kids where they need go. Since my family does not use Google Calendar, even though I've shared it with them. I have a whiteboard calendar in our kitchen that is color-codes for each person. Frequently, I have to remind my family to put items on the calendar or have to remind them when asked what is going today, to "check the calendar"
For myself, I make sure that my workouts are scheduled within my day. I typically like to workout after the school/work day. I bring my workout clothes to school and change into them before I leave at the end of the day. That way I have no excuses!! I know that the moment I get home, I get into mama mode and worry about dinner, cleaning the house or taking care of everyone else besides myself. I will also schedule workouts at my favorite yoga studios and make sure that does dates are in my calendar. I will look a week or two ahead of time for classes that I've enjoyed before or something totally new that fits in my schedule. When these are scheduled (and most typically paid for already) then I'm more likely to attend, even if it's if after I've been home for the evening.
I wont necessarily put in my calendar what time of day I'm going to eat (to be honest as an elementary principal, if I get to eat at all, its after the students have eaten due to all the "fires" that need to be put out during the day, so typically around 1:30pm is my "lunch break"), but I'll plan some of my meals for the week, just to get one more thing off my plate and reduce my mental capacity for the day. I usually will plan my breakfast and lunch during the work week.
Yogurt & granola or a smoothie are my go to breakfast meals. Since going gluten free, the teachers lounge food is usually a no go for me. The donuts, bagels or sweets that are brought in for treat days are, so appreciated, but off limits for me (unless they are gluten free). I'll snack on fruit, cheese or veggie trays that are brought it, but that's ordinarily it. This change has significantly helped in my overeating or non-intentionally eating that is a frequent occurrence in most offices. For lunch, I'll eat leftovers, salads or my own personal charcuterie that I customize with lunch meats, vegetables, trail mixes or fruit. During my work day, I don't routinely snack, but the moment I get home, I'm usually famished. Then I do need to have a little something to eat, especially if I workout before I come home. Right before I make dinner or if my husband is making dinner, I'll have some Pop Corners or cheese and gluten free crackers. Dinner definitely needs some slight planning, particularly making sure that meat has been taken out in the morning to be defrosted. When we forget to do that, then dinner is random or usually take out going out to eat at a restaurant. Which then is generally unhealthy or I could get "glutened", then I'm sick for several days.
When I am organized, I feel more in control and less anxious about my day. Being organized also allows me to be intentional about my movement and what I eat, which has been one of the most important habits that has allowed me to loose 100 pounds within the last year and a half. I tracked my workouts and meals within a google doc for you to see my current weeks purposeful planning. *Click on this link to see the full pictures, workouts & other links*
Some people don't necessarily use Google Calendar and are more organized using paper and pencil to prioritize their daily events and reflect on their habits. I've created a Movement Mindset Journal to assist you in purposeful planning within the Movement Mindset: Motivation, Organization, Versatility & Expectation
Movement Mindset, is the method that I use to support my wellness journey. MOVE - Motivation, Organization, Versatility & Expectation. Last week, we discussed methods of Motivation which will allow you to gain clarity and focus around what is truly important to you, your personal strengths and growth areas that lead into your goals. Next week, we'll center ourselves around the significance of Versatility, variety and always trying to "spice" up your life and activities as novelty and stepping out of your comfort zone will lead you to a higher predictability of lasting change.
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