Enjoying My Own Company
It’s a good thing I’m able to enjoy my own company, lol I recall the first time I had more time to myself when the youngest began kindergarten, it was an adjustment. At first, I didn’t know what to do with myself. That abrupt change of pace can be jarring even if it’s something you’ve been hoping for and dreamed about. So how difficult it is when it’s not welcome, like now for most people who are used to constant activity, this can be highly destabilizing.
Many people stay busy and distract themselves in order to avoid their thoughts and feelings. A daily routine provides structure and security, a sense of control with everything in its place. Any deviations can cause anxiety for some people. With unstructured, quiet time you get to be with yourself and all the voices in your head, lol.
When you stay busy all of the time, there’s no space to reflect and notice areas in your life that may not be working anymore. If you go, go, go you may lose touch with yourself and your truth, then when you have time to self reflect it can be disorienting for you. Some people’s identities are also tied to their work, so they may feel lost without it.
So now that we’re on pause for a stretch it may be getting quite uncomfortable for some people. So there’s an added layer of existential crisis. With many of the methods of escape off limits now, what are people doing?
It’s times like these when it’s helpful if you’ve been proactive and have worked on your personal development, self-care, and coping skills. You’re already self-aware, have spent a lot of time with yourself by going within, you know what works for you and you adjust fairly well. You are resilient. You’re also not afraid to seek outside help when needed. There’s usually free counseling with employee assistance programs and there are free support groups and online groups readily available.
I’m encouraged to see that there’s less stigma around asking for help or getting counseling. More people are valuing their psychological and emotional wellbeing because they’re aware that everything else in their lives hinges upon it. I’m hoping that many people are making discoveries about themselves during this time and begin making small shifts towards healthier ways. Like slowing down and savoring more of the simple joys that in our rush we take for granted, or don’t even see. Maybe doing less and slowing down actually expands your life more. I know it has for me.
It’s challenging to allow yourself to relax fully. To decide to just sit and do nothing for a bit. For me, there’s a little voice nagging at me to constantly work on my goals. It feels so liberating when I can actually tell that voice to eff off, like after my bath today when I sunk into the cushy futon and had a wee nap, the space when I was in that half-sleep state, mmmm so indulgent, so nice, where you start to dream hovering on the edge of sleep, love that. Thankful to be settling into this new expanse.
What new discoveries will we make?
I’ve been journaling more and it’s such a healthy practice.
Are y’all learning new things about yourselves and others?
I’ve learned that I love the quiet and the slowed-down pace of the world, how about y’all?
