How reading a novel helped me to meet pressing deadlines.
Hey!
You might wonder how in the heck does reading a novel help anyone get anything done? It seems counter-intuitive, right? Well, I'll share with you how it helped me.
Last month my son started fourth grade. Given that he is a kid with attentional challenges, for years I have been keeping a close eye on how ADHD impacts his school experience. Hearing from other parents about the increased demands this grade brings, I thought: Would he be able to adapt to the academic demands? Can he manage soccer and his new band and choir commitments? How will he be in the classroom? I worried.
In addition to these concerns, my work life was getting busier as it does when Summer comes to an end. It was about to take me away from home an extra evening a week. Not good, I thought. How would my son get his homework done if I wasn't on top of him about it? How would I keep on top of housework and bills and other non-work stuff? It all weighed on my mind.
On top of that, I had a couple presentations upcoming. I agreed to facilitate a group discussion on an upcoming Sunday evening and had to prepare reading and outline talking points. I also committed to facilitate a multi-week program which would mean another evening during the week away from home. Oh dear.
It suddenly all felt like too much to do. I was overwhelmed and anxious. My mind raced, trying to figure out how I was going to do it all. I imagined toiling in front of a computer at all hours of the evening, cranking out content week after week. I imagined eeking out half-assed scraps between all the other home and work priorities that in my mind were also half-assedly getting done. I saw a stressed-out version of myself in my minds eye, disheveled, bags under my bloodshot eyes, harried and mind-fog-laden. I imagined that it was next to impossible, that there was no way I could do it all. I saw myself as a stressed, neurotic group facilitator. This, by the way, is not at all a good look for a mindfulness and mind-body coach. I thought: Why did I once again overcommit?!
Ok, Mara. CHILLAX. I finally stepped out of my crazy mind and saw how I was torturing myself
I took a step - many steps - back from my mind by getting R E A L L Y S T I L L feeling all the movement and discomfort my mind was conjuring up. I sat back and observed the melee. I did this repeatedly, catching my mind doing its anxiety-provoking stunts. Each time I pulled back and observed, I stopped feeding the insanity.
My mind has a pesky habit of making me, worry and catastrophize about events that haven't even happened yet. My mind can be a very dangerous neighborhood and not a good place for me to spend a lot of time in. Luckily, I know this, and can catch it.
During one of the stillness-infused moments, I had a hankering to read a novel. Ooh, wouldn't that be fun. I dreamed. The idea of getting lost in some good 'ol fiction, painting the picture of the story in my mind, allowing my imagination to roam freely in the details it conjured up...I soaked up the deliciousness of it.
At the same time, part of my mind thought, "What're you CRAZY? HOW would you even fit that in? It's a diversion, don't do it." But I wasn't convinced. And the deliciousness of the hankering weighed out. I wasn't sure if it was a wise decision, but it felt more good than not. So I checked out a book from the library, one that I was on my read when I have some time list. I started reading that evening.
Reading that novel was a respite during these recent busy weeks. Like a healing balm, it soothed my racy mind immediately. It turns out, the brief periods of reading - a few pages at a shot - were just the antidote to quiet my mind and soothe my anxiety. And, enjoying the novel infused me with energy. I was able to focus on all the other things way more easily and without all the inner interference. The homework support, laundry, the planning and prepping for the presentations and groups, check, check check and check. It all got done.
When you're overwhelmed, anxious, have to much to do, are ruminating about how it's all going to happen, the antidote is: do something that feels good. It seems counter-intuitive, I know. But feeling good CREATES energy. It feels expansive in the body, it's rejuvenating, calming and it does wonders to relax the anxious mind. Try it, I guarantee you.
Listen to your hankerings. My hankering to read a novel was a little nugget of wisdom that I could have easily overrode or ignored. Good thing I didn't.
My presentation was last night, the last week of my group is this week. I made it through a busy stretch. And, I finished an enjoyable novel.
What do you have a hankering for? Feel free to share your it or them here.
Follow the hankerings: feeling good soothes the mind and body!
Mara
