Stepping back
It's a good idea to take a break from your life every now and again, to view it with fresh eyes, whether that be your home or your work or any other aspect of your life, and evaluate if you've set things up as best as they can be.
I have discovered how easy it is to fall into routines that become habits, that aren't necessarily healthy or good for me. I try as much as possible to strive for continual improvement in every aspect of my life, and I find it a challenge. The Japanese call this Kaizen, and it has almost become a game to improve myself in this way.
However, we aren't machines, and even computers need to be switched off and recharged occasionally!
I had the opportunity to do this recently. Rather than try and squeeze everything into December, before Christmas, this time I tried something different, which meant I was away for the first two weeks in January, the greyest and bleakest days of the year, plus still the shortest days, probably my least favourite time of year after the bright lights of Christmas.
I worked up until Christmas and then took a longer annual leave at the start of the year to top up my batteries, as well as my tan. This meant that when I left work at the end of last year, I had to be sure that I had planned ahead for my return, and to make provisions for colleagues and clients whilst I was away.
I knew I had to set everything up so I could hit the ground running when I returned to work, in the same way as I would leave my flat as I wanted to find it. I wouldn't want to come back to find I'd forgotten to wash the dishes for 3 weeks!
Whilst I was in Namibia, taking time out to enjoy the sunshine with family and friends, I discovered how much I like being able to stop and take a step back. To reflect, to write in my journal, to read, to listen to music, to watch the birds and the wildlife, to doze by the pool, and most of all, discovering how relaxing it is to colour in, which I think may be the perfect activity to do with friends - you can sit quietly listening, or you can join in the conversation because the only thing you need to concentrate on is staying within the lines.
As a result, I found myself bringing this new-found knowledge back to the UK with me - I am recognising that I need a certain amount of time by myself, (especially in the winter months), and that I absolutely love allowing my inner child to choose which colours to combine to create vibrant images during my leisure time.
I also discovered that some of the good habits I had set up before I left had stuck, so they were now as automatic as riding a bike, and I could feel they were right because they were effortless to do. I could recognise how much I have changed and the ways in which I have improved; whether or not other people had noticed, it's important that I recognise this for myself.
I also discovered that if a new way of doing something hadn't stuck, and it still seemed like a good idea, it just meant I hadn't practised it enough until it became second-nature, so I made a conscious effort to do so on my return.
I took a fresh look at my life and my work, and because I hadn't even looked at my computer for a month, I could see what needed tidying - the way you would when returning to your flat to realise that something is missing from your wall, and framing that picture you like. Having 3 new colleagues join our team has also helped - without even the need to say anything, new people always make you challenge yourself and ask yourself if you would teach them how to do what you're doing, or whether you would suggest something better.
I'm glad I took the time out to step back from my every-day routine for a while, and I hope I can find other ways to review and refresh my life more often.
What would you change if you could see your life through new eyes?
Purlgirl
