Since a whole lot of us have been spending more time at home, I planned to write about how to use this time productively. If you have extra time on your hands and feel more anxious than usual, what are the best things you can do?
I do have a few ideas on this. For example, my yoga teachers are offering an online teacher training. That could be a possibility for you. Or it could be a good time to Kondo your house. I’ve done that myself. It feels great!
But as I thought about this topic more, I realized that it may be missing the moment. These are great things to do if they really jazz you up. If not, now is also a great time to step back from typical patterns and metrics of productivity.
This isn’t easy for me. I’m a go-getter. But life seems to be urging this kind of shift. We don’t know what’s coming, when all this will end, or how we’ll personally be affected. Also, things are closed.
Maybe the rat race isn’t over for good, but it’s definitely on pause.
So I’m trying to adopt a matching mindset.
Instead of strategizing goals for this period, I’m slowing down and taking the pressure off. I would normally make things — like at-home therapy with my daughter — rigid and serious. Are we hitting our goals for the day? Also, I have so many other things to do.
But right now, I’m aiming to be more playful and present. There’s enough to stress about, and I don’t want to take anything for granted. I may not be as productive — but that’s OK.
Really, it’s OK.
Of course, I’ll still do what needs to be done, but my thought is to approach it all with a lighter touch. Less pressure, more gentleness and ease.
In this intensely challenging moment, I think this kind of energy shift may be a pathway through fear and uncertainty, and I hope, a gateway toward joy and even growth.
Ironically, stepping back and chilling out might even be the best way to make the most of this time.