Ever feel that you're doing so much that you don't get anything done "right"? And then... here come the holidays?
I'm feeling a little bit like that now... and I'm the one who uses the words "A Life In Balance" on a regular basis and even made those words the title of my new cookbook!
I like to think that I'm a person who walks the walk and talks the talk, but in the last few weeks, I'm struggling with that! Who isn't? I've got the food part down pretty well, but right now I'm struggling with the lifestyle balance.
So, I've devised some strategies for myself that might help you, too. I've resolved:
This is my greatest source of strength! No junk food for me over the holidays! Understand, please, that this doesn't mean no "treats." For example, my cookbook includes a great healthy recipe for Arla's Truffles (see recipe below!) that tasters are raving about. They're easy, uncooked and filled with nutrients. I've been serving them as samples at my book signings lately, and they're a huge hit.
I listen to the crash of the waves and the chirping of the birds, observe the morning light illuminating some object on a shelf in my living room, and just feel the silence and movement that surrounds me, the space between objects. And only after I've taken a few minutes to notice things will I cook and eat my breakfast. I do this instead of immediately turning on my computer to dive into my work and check my Facebook and e-mails and cooking at the same time. Yes, I've developed bad habits like this lately.
Because I work at home, this is a toughie for me. But if I want to do the next step (number 4), it's a necessity. It's always tempting to turn my computer back on and get sucked back in for "a minute" and then two hours later... you know what I mean?
This is another tough one for me, but I've always believed in the idea that an hour of sleep before midnight is like getting two hours of sleep after midnight. Is this scientifically proven? Probably not, but I know how good I feel when I do this, so I'm going to force myself to do it to keep healthy this holiday season -- and maybe beyond!
I don't know about you, but if I don't do this, I get to a point where I can't get anything else done.
I remind myself that I work hard, and that if something doesn't get done, it just doesn't.
I don't want to make a list so long that it's not doable, so I'll just start here with my pre-New Year's resolutions. If you're inspired to do this along with me or choose one doable "balancing step," that's great!
Do you have a favorite strategy to help keep your life in balance? If so, I'd love to hear from you.
Arla's Truffles
Truffle coating (make first):
½ cup Brazil nuts
½ cup of shredded coconut
Then...
1 cup Brazil nuts
¾ cup walnuts
1/8 cup dates (about 3)
½ cup dried apricots
1-2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
¼ teaspoon vanilla
½ cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons organic raw cocoa powder (omit if you'd prefer plain)
Chop Brazil nuts and coconut in a food processer. Pour in a bowl and set aside for coating.
Run second set of Brazil nuts, walnuts, dates and apricots through the food processor until evenly chopped. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until combined. Roll into balls, then roll each ball in the Brazil nut/coconut mixture to create a truffle coating. Enjoy!
Note: These keep best if stored in the refrigerator.
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Ronald Alexander, Ph.D.: Is This the Key to Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions?
You can omit the brow rice syrup as it is pretty sweet from the apricots and dates. These tips are easy and I'm benefiting enormously myself, especially from going to bed at the same time every night (and earlier than usual for me).
You are welcome, Zoe y. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Let me know how it goes for you.
Miriam
Yes, the quiet time at the start of the day is the best. Here in Maine it's been overcast and rainy for a few days. Then this morning, low and behold, the objects on my living room shelf and the ocean in my backyard, illuminated by bright light peeping through the clouds. Now it's dark again. Had I not been paying attention I may have missed this. Had I not adopted #4, I wouldn't have been up!
I really love your idea of having friends and family over and making it a potluck. I'm doing that for Christmas. And your second to the last one, too! Thank you for YOUR list. Excellent.
Seriously, with the nature of my work I get busier around the holidays. And I like your question because it makes me realize (and write!) that my strategies are working so well for me now, I'm going to continue them into the new year beyond the holidays.
Thanks for your comment/question.
So what do you do to stay in balance?
For me, in workdays, I just make a list (or you can call it daydream) for all the things I want to do but are not able to. And in holidays, I just cross off items on that list one by one.
What else is happiness but being able to do what you want to do?
Hmmm, never thought of that, I'll have to try it. Thank you.
What do you do to keep balanced during the holidays?
Oddly enough this article hits home. I spent the morning in the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack and turns out it was a stress attack. So, I plan more of #2.
Great that you have #1 and #2 down. Glad that you were only having a stress attack and are resolved to get things back in to balance. I had to work at #2, but I found that after the initial breaking of the habit, I'm more productive in my work with the boundaries and I feel better. Good luck, you can do it, too. Glad this "hit home" with someone else.
I would add, make a priority list and start from the top. What you don't have time to take care of will just have to be let go, focusing on what's important.
And, let's remember to keep track of our expectations, as often we expect too much from ourselves, and become unrealistic in what we want to accomplish.
Happy Holidays!
This is a great suggestion that I'm going to take today. I've got lots of lists going here and there, but I need to consolidate them and prioritize. Focus on what's important. Letting go always feels so good to me. I like the addition of keeping track of our expectations. Thanks for this sage advice, Daniela.
Gypsy...Hmm...we have been friends for a while..
Thanks for stopping by!
Gypsy
You are right about eating healthy helping in EVERY aspect! And to ... simplify! Thanks for commenting.