Our November theme on Wit & Delight is about constructing—and sustaining—a way of focus. It’s about saying “no” extra usually so we will say “sure” to the issues that truly matter. It’s about giving our power to the issues we actively select and letting go of the issues we don’t.
Whereas it after all isn’t all the time attainable, I’ve been making an attempt to implement this mindset rather more usually in my lifetime of late. I’ve been actively asking myself, What can I say no to? What boundaries can I set?
Right now I’m sharing just a few of the tangible methods I’m discovering focus proper now, in what’s a really busy season of my life. Even when the practices beneath don’t *all* apply to you, I hope you continue to discover some takeaways you possibly can implement in your individual life.
5 Methods I’m Discovering Focus Proper Now
1. Much less dashing
I’ve a deeply ingrained tendency to hurry by means of issues, even once I don’t truly need to be in a rush. I’ll rush by means of the method of preparing, rush by means of errands, rush by means of chopping greens—you identify it, I rush it. The factor is, I don’t truly need to be rushed—or really feel the ensuing frazzled sensation—particularly in conditions the place it’s pointless. Once I really feel like I’m dashing for no motive, I’m making an attempt to pay attention to it, deliberately decide whether or not it’s truly mandatory, and decelerate if it’s not.
2. Much less perfection
All through your entire first half of November, not less than one individual in our family has been sick with some form of nasty virus (not COVID, fortunately!). It’s taken a toll on us all and it’s made me understand that some issues have to present. Due to this, we’ve been much less centered on issues needing to be “excellent” in our dwelling, significantly earlier than we go to mattress. Joe and I’ll tidy a little bit if wanted however in any other case, we’ll flip off the lights and fall asleep. On this season of life particularly, specializing in high quality relaxation has been rather more necessary than a superbly put-together dwelling.
3. Much less attachment to issues
The teachings from my spending freeze are nonetheless very current in my life, significantly in terms of clothes and niknaks. Most of my procuring is finished on-line and whereas I’ve discovered myself ordering greater than I did earlier this yr, I’ve additionally discovered myself returning extra. I’ve turn out to be a lot much less connected to particular objects and rather more comfy saying “no” to issues that aren’t for me. I’ve additionally turn out to be extra comfy with a slower procuring course of. The slower strategy takes extra power and time, but it surely tends to result in issues I really need and can put on for the lengthy haul.
4. Extra concentrate on the current
This concentrate on much less attachment has prolonged past my spending habits too. I’ve additionally been making use of it to different areas of life, significantly in terms of outcomes I’m in search of or objectives I’m pursuing. I’ve been making an attempt to carry this stuff actually flippantly, not overcomplicating them and never speaking myself out of selections I’ve already made.
In my day-to-day, what’s helped me most on this space is training energetic meditation—being attentive to what’s taking place within the current second slightly than fretting a lot over the previous or future. My wandering thoughts is on the root of a whole lot of my nervousness, which is why specializing in the current is so key.
In my day-to-day, what’s helped me most on this space is training energetic meditation—being attentive to what’s taking place within the current second slightly than fretting a lot over the previous or future.
5. Extra belief
I used to be pondering just lately about final Thanksgiving (and your entire vacation season on the whole). Trying again on final yr, I actually overdid it. I felt like I wanted to do extra, extra, extra to make your entire season particular for my household and everybody else we had been spending time with.
The truth is that I can plan just a few easy issues (and ask for assist from others) and the ensuing expertise will likely be completely pleasant all by itself. I can belief the method, belief myself, and belief that no matter we select to concentrate on on this busy season of life will likely be sufficient.
Kate is presently studying to play the Ukulele, a lot to the despair of her husband, children, and canine. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
