Three Things Thursday No. 7: Out Breath & Making Space
Hi there!
So, did I convince you? Did you make a life list? What did you think of the process? I won’t ask you to share what’s on it because (as I know from experience) it can be very personal. But if you *want* to share, I’d love to hear. You can email me on the contact page.
Let’s jump in.
Thing 1: Importance of the “Out Breath”
I don’t know about you, but I hit the ground running on January 1st and haven’t looked back. Which is awesome except now it’s the 16th and I’m starting to feel burned out already. It’s like I’m stuck on a freight train with an unknown destination. I can’t get off and I can’t make it stop.
My husband was asking me a bunch of questions this morning about various plans and choices and all I could say was, “I don’t knoooooowww!!!” over and over. I sounded just like my teenage son. He must be burned out, too!
In the Steiner-Waldorf educational system, parents learn about something called the “in breath” and “out breath.” The “in breath” is when you are focused on something (like learning or working), and the “out breath” is when you are letting that focus go (like free play for kids, or “down time” for adults).
To be balanced and healthy, you need both.
Too much free time and you start to wonder if your life has meaning and purpose. Too much in breath and you start to feel fried, like you’re on that freight train.
As a family, we tend to all be very focused, hardworking people. But we also struggle with burn out. We aren’t getting enough out breath.
So we’re trying an experiment. Starting today we’re going to turn off the computers and devices at 6pm, no exceptions, and have a real evening time. Maybe we’ll play board games, maybe we’ll read books. But mostly we’ll hang out and not have specific plans.
I’m hoping it will give ALL of us a daily break and give us that fresh start with our work the next day.
I’ll report back.
What about you? Do you have a balance of in breaths and out breaths, or do you tend to focus on one over the other?
Thing 2: Your Word?
Last week I shared my quote and word for the year, and I was wondering. Did you choose a word from the year? Did you choose a motto? What do they mean to you? What do they represent? I would love to know. Leave a comment and share – that way we can all inspire each other!
Thing 3: Desert Island Decluttering
The next installment of the Decluttering for Magpies series is finished! In it, I share my thoughts about how to focus your vision and your mindset to allow yourself to become crystal clear about what possessions are truly your treasures and which you *could* part with if you have to. Find that here:
That’s it!
This week it’s all about motivation and space (both literal and figurative) to be the best that we can be.
What about you? What are you doing to be your best self? Comment below and let me know, or come find me on Facebook or Instagram!
Much love,
