Let's see if I can go past a second, chaotic, post
I am back. I know, I also cannot believe it.
It is 19:51 of a random Sunday, and it is time for ten minutes of zen (more or less).
Last time, I attempted to elaborate on the difference between mental success and enjoying the effort that it takes to succeed. In the meantime, I have noticed a different struggle I often encounter, the thought of starting causes me much more pain than the actual action. Forcing myself to take my laptop and open this blog again led me to mentally face every possible negative side: I am not a good writer, I will not be able to formulate anything in 10 minutes, nobody actually cares about this blog... And so on and so forth. However, as soon as I started typing (even if it is just a stream of consciousness kind of text), I remember why I have started.
Yesterday, I was having a drink with three friends. While sipping some gin-based drink in a smoky bar of Prenzlauer Berg, very interesting discussions came up. I will just go with one of the many: how do you manage to stay conscious while dealing with the shit life throws at you?
It is indeed a million dollar and a 186 000 Google results question. This blog, I have decided, will be my attempt to stay conscious. Or at least, an attempt to keep my self accountable. I have attempted meditation and I have a difficult timing pinning down my thoughts and truly slowing down. During the week I am rushing from work to sport, to friends, while trying to balance reading news, being socially aware and learning more about everything possible. Currently, these are my main tricks to ease have a more conscious overall picture (not to get lost in the rush of everyday's activities):
1. Plan what is plannable and evaluate your time's value.
Meaning: have a picture of your time. Try to simplify on your calendar what is inevitably going to happen. Relief your mind from juggling too many things at once. You are planning on exercising this week? Boom, take 20 minutes of your Sunday, and already plan the days and time you want to take that time for yourself. Same goes for work, friends/family and other activities. If you are similar to me, you often plan more than it is possible to fit in your week. Planning on Sundays forces me to have an overview of what is actually feasible.
Also, while planning, it is important to evaluate. Are you staying in touch with somebody you care about? Are you organizing your time in a way that makes you satisfied? Are you taking enough time for yourself?
2. Make yourself accountable.
Well, I cannot pretend I am a master at this. But realizing my weakness should be enough - for now. I have always searched for methodologies and techniques that would force me to take a step back. This blog is an attempt to look at macros of my life every once in a while & do something for myself. Basically, make yourself responsible (either writing it, taking notes or just meditating) for what your current situation is: you and your actions, you and space around. Are you satisfied? How can you make some changes (hint: you can). In my experience, clarifying the big picture makes small tasks more bearable.
3. Discuss it.
If you have somebody you can connect to, discuss what your doubts are about prioritizing and your current status. I know that I personally overthink much of what is happening to me, often playing negative happenings too often in my head, looking for solutions. Having an external objective point of view can help. The person can have an impact not only by giving suggestions but just by asking questions that we were not asking yourself.
Well, this was not an article of great insights. I have heard somewhere that it is okay your first writing(S) suck so I will leave it how it is. And probably be ashamed of it in a few months.
Also, this was of course way longer than 10 minutes. Damn me.
Alice from Berlin
It is 19:51 of a random Sunday, and it is time for ten minutes of zen (more or less).
Last time, I attempted to elaborate on the difference between mental success and enjoying the effort that it takes to succeed. In the meantime, I have noticed a different struggle I often encounter, the thought of starting causes me much more pain than the actual action. Forcing myself to take my laptop and open this blog again led me to mentally face every possible negative side: I am not a good writer, I will not be able to formulate anything in 10 minutes, nobody actually cares about this blog... And so on and so forth. However, as soon as I started typing (even if it is just a stream of consciousness kind of text), I remember why I have started.
Yesterday, I was having a drink with three friends. While sipping some gin-based drink in a smoky bar of Prenzlauer Berg, very interesting discussions came up. I will just go with one of the many: how do you manage to stay conscious while dealing with the shit life throws at you?
It is indeed a million dollar and a 186 000 Google results question. This blog, I have decided, will be my attempt to stay conscious. Or at least, an attempt to keep my self accountable. I have attempted meditation and I have a difficult timing pinning down my thoughts and truly slowing down. During the week I am rushing from work to sport, to friends, while trying to balance reading news, being socially aware and learning more about everything possible. Currently, these are my main tricks to ease have a more conscious overall picture (not to get lost in the rush of everyday's activities):
1. Plan what is plannable and evaluate your time's value.
Meaning: have a picture of your time. Try to simplify on your calendar what is inevitably going to happen. Relief your mind from juggling too many things at once. You are planning on exercising this week? Boom, take 20 minutes of your Sunday, and already plan the days and time you want to take that time for yourself. Same goes for work, friends/family and other activities. If you are similar to me, you often plan more than it is possible to fit in your week. Planning on Sundays forces me to have an overview of what is actually feasible.
Also, while planning, it is important to evaluate. Are you staying in touch with somebody you care about? Are you organizing your time in a way that makes you satisfied? Are you taking enough time for yourself?
2. Make yourself accountable.
Well, I cannot pretend I am a master at this. But realizing my weakness should be enough - for now. I have always searched for methodologies and techniques that would force me to take a step back. This blog is an attempt to look at macros of my life every once in a while & do something for myself. Basically, make yourself responsible (either writing it, taking notes or just meditating) for what your current situation is: you and your actions, you and space around. Are you satisfied? How can you make some changes (hint: you can). In my experience, clarifying the big picture makes small tasks more bearable.
3. Discuss it.
If you have somebody you can connect to, discuss what your doubts are about prioritizing and your current status. I know that I personally overthink much of what is happening to me, often playing negative happenings too often in my head, looking for solutions. Having an external objective point of view can help. The person can have an impact not only by giving suggestions but just by asking questions that we were not asking yourself.
Well, this was not an article of great insights. I have heard somewhere that it is okay your first writing(S) suck so I will leave it how it is. And probably be ashamed of it in a few months.
Also, this was of course way longer than 10 minutes. Damn me.
Alice from Berlin
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