I have taken the past couple of days to catch up with my life…to catch up with myself. Lately it seems I have been running from one thing to the next. Long lists of tasks…so many things to take care of, details to attend to and check off the list. Some work related, some life related, lots mother related as we manage her life with her slide into dementia.
I have to say, I’ve been pretty good with self care…yoga, dance, walks and playing with my puppy, time with friends and family. And…I have forgotten how much time I need to space out!
I need daydream time. I spend so many hours “on” in my life, so many hours tracking, engaging, attending…bringing mindful awareness and the like – that I want to take a minute to speak up for daydreaming and spacing out! Can I get an “amen”!
The way my brain works really requires a few things that I have been reminded of this week.
#1) Unstructured, space out or “do nothing” time – this is so, so important…I would say for all of us. It is relieving for the mind and spirit…like something deep in the brain softens, finds space…relaxes and breathes. You can feel it. It brings insight and clarity. Stress levels go way down and there is an opening to ease and creativity.
#2) Organic task management – for me looks like a list of things I’d like to get to and no specific time or day I’ve anchored or ‘appointment’ to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I coach many clients to anchor their tasks to time and day, it is a valuable skill for effective functioning…especially for us ADD/ADHD folks.
Yet, there is something to be said for the satisfying experience of doing what calls you in the moment. It feels like such a satisfying art form! When I am indulging this way of being I’m moving between 3 or 4 different activities within a chunk of time – all in process – all ‘unfinished’ and all organically progressing to completion. This could be irritating to some. But somehow I feel it frees the mind and eases my stress – it almost becomes playful. Try it! Floating from one thing to the next, following whatever catches your attention as you move through the house or through work projects on the list.
I’ve come to understand that unstructured, space out time and organic task management dove tail together. I find that allowing for both can be self care, unplug time and a potent way to address many things. I find it way more kind, creative and productive than trying to pound out a list of tasks when I’m just not in the mood. I have learned the outcomes I produce are better when I’m in the right frame of mind.
Can you give yourself permission to space out, day dream and follow what calls you? This, coupled with organic ‘task management’, could change your life!
Dr. Shannon Simonelli is the co-founder of the NeuroImaginal Institute a professional development group linking neuroscience to the arts and experiential healing. She is the brilliant mind, guide and luminary behind CreativeWell Consulting and the Luminous Life Maps™ System, neurologically based creative arts experiences for professional and personal transformation. Shannon has devoted more than 20 years of her professional research, education and practice to designing engaging ways to catalyze change for and with her clients.
You can join the journey online by subscribing to Shannon’s LoveNotes and being part of her online Soulful Self-Care Program: Embodied Creativity: Re-Enchant Your Work Life. View all posts by Dr. Shannon Simonelli / View events at: https://luminouslifemaps.com/products/