Take Time For Yourself (Social Distancing)

I had a very different blog written for today, but the events of the past week (really it has only been a week!) have called on each of us to shift our ways of working and living. I hope you are well and managing to evolve with this circumstance. If you are struggling (as I have from time to time), be kind to yourself; we’ve never seen anything like this in our lifetimes, and we are all learning as we go. There is no right or wrong way to adjust to this, only the opportunity to be present and open to what is needed.

Mid-way through February I needed the world to stop and let me off for a moment. I had so much on my plate (as many of you do) and I wanted to step back and re-group. My heart yearned to catch-up on some things, take some much-needed time to immerse myself in what was important and really sink into it without a clock, without the abrupt call to adhere to a looming deadline.

I got my wish. Clearly, I didn’t wish for COVID 19, but essentially it has granted me the time I was yearning for. All the leadership intensives I was scheduled to run have been postponed, all the workshops and public speaking events I was to lead in March have evaporated in the overwhelming and courageous call to flatten the curve. It is absolutely the right move and I am held by the grace that has seen us all make adjustments quickly. You are all amazing. Take a deep bow, because it is no small act to turn away from routine and embrace something unknown. 

So, I have my wish. I have more time on my hands. Do you remember making a similar wish at some point? While things are uncertain, and we have more to face that is unknown, see if you can re-frame this time as a gift. More time to relax, to read, to do all the things on your wish list that needed time to get to. Start on that pile of books you have beside your bed; listen to all the podcasts you’ve saved. Take more bubble baths. Write letters to people you love and mail them. Reorganize your hard drive, or your closet, or your life. Get to that chunky piece of focus work you have been yearning to get your hands on and can now immerse yourself in off-line because the VPN is not cooperating at work.

Think about that list, that ache, that need you sometimes have to step into what you want to do gently, slowly, on your own terms with purpose and let that sustain you over the coming weeks. This too shall pass, and all too soon we’ll be right back into the thick of deadlines, too many meetings, ridiculous commutes…back to “normal”.

While I am social distancing, I am still working and coaching via virtual sessions (call or video conference).  If you would like to take this time to explore what coaching can do for you, a single coaching session is free of charge.  We are all in this together.

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