Thursday 27 June 2013

Restless........





This is how I feel.

Ever get that?

Every 10 weeks or so, I take a week out. I retreat into myself. I sort of stop my world for a while and take stock of....well.....everything. I think it's terribly important to do so.

We wake up, day in and day out, and many of us just go into auto-pilot. We go to work, we deal with kids, we take on every role imaginable. We go to bed........we wake and do it all again. 

Why is it that when you are a child, your Summers are endless? Why is it, that as you get older, a whole year passes in a blink of an eye? Why is it that when you stop to think about your life, its day to day, its direction, you realise often you go down a path because it just follows on from the day before. 

There are some things I cannot change. The big things. Children and job dictate where I live. But, day to day, I need to stop and think what I can do to cure my restlessness. What I can change to make me feel calmer and more at peace with myself. Other things like, decorating, trying to make an effort with my garden. Making things fresher can all help.....

But, I find it's actually the small things that really help to make the difference. Returning to basics. I always seem to turn to this book. 



It's a Restless life saver for me. It reminds me, that when I stop and step away from the constant hectic pace of life, doing such small little things can have a huge impact on getting me back on track. Just taking a few minutes for myself. Paring back to the basics can have enormous effects on my well being. Reminding myself of the small pleasures, that cost nothing, but can have a huge impact on me. Setting the balance right again to make me feel able to carry on in my usual perky manner. I just need to be reminded of these things about every 10 weeks or so. For me, this book does it. It's not rocket science. I don't read the book from cover to cover. I dip in, often finding, just reading the heading on each page is enough to get me back on track.

I get so easily het up about not having time to reply to people. The daily onslaught of emails means I just cannot keep up. Many get buried or get re-directed into the junk box only to be found months later. It bothers me. It irritates me that I fail dismally. Other people can keep up to date. Why can't I? So, many humble apologies here if you have ever asked a question, and are still awaiting a reply. It's completely unintentional. My inbox has changed format too which means I don't know who is a no reply blogger anymore. I think from now on if you ask a question in my comments box, I shall try and reply beneath your comment. So please do check back if you do ask anything as at least that way I know I will have got a reply back to you. 

I have improved a little though day to day in 'real' life. I have remembered Victorian day, a fete and a fayre, two school coffee mornings, science day and open days. Pretty good going for me, considering, at one point, I would forget the lot.

Life still really is a juggling act. If I spend the day crafting, the house looks a mess. If I get even one day behind with the laundry, then all hell breaks loose in the house and it looks like a bombsite. It's never ending. I am always chasing my tail. It often makes me weary. So, to take a week out every so often to calm myself and remember what makes me happy and what is important in my life is surely a good thing, no?

I'm sure that i'm not the only one that feels like this from time to time. I wonder what you do to get yourselves back on track? Any suggestions would be welcome!

So, for now, I shall take a moment to sit and sip the froth on my cappuccino, smell the freshly cut grass and breathe deeply. I'm feeling better already...............

xxx

30 comments:

  1. Sounds so familiar ..so well done you for reminding yourself that you are important -something I forgot for a long time (and still frequently do !) -YES it is alright to take time out for your self and yes it is all too easy to forget that .... it took me a very long time at the bottom of a very black hole before I realised how important it is !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds very familiar to me too! I try and find time each day for something for me - not a huge chunk of time, it might only be 10 minutes, but it is mine to craft or crochet, not iron, wash sports kit, reply to emails or anything else that "needs" doing, but something I WANT to do. I find it keeps me sane! xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Completely familiar to me too. Its a constant struggle for me to find balance, so much needs to be done that I rarely find time to do things for me, if I ignore what needs to be done & do something for me, then everything at home goes to pieces. I look at others & wonder how they do it & why it seems so easy for them. But in reality is it easy for them? Or are they good at putting on a show? If you figure out the answer please let me know! LOL!xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your comments ring so true with me too, it's so easy to get caught up in everyday life. We are all so busy, that's why it's so important to make time to yourself, something I'm really bad at doing :( Like you I have to take stock every now and then, otherwise I think I would sink into the big black hole. I have several ways of doing this - at the moment it's while I'm walking the dog early in the mornings. Time to myself, to think when all is quiet, to breath in the fresh air and look at nature, and forget about things for a while. That book sounds really interesting, might just have to buy :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Once I realised that multitasking is a farce and that I perform better by focusing on one thing at a time - a whole new world opened for me. I am now incredibly focused, finish what I start and still do the same number of crazy things in a day BUT with a sense of calm and satisfaction. It took me 10 years of living among Asian cultures to achieve this though - they just have a completely focused way of tackling life so different to the western way. Thai Chi, Meditation, Yoga, Walking the dog, enjoying a bunch of flowers, drinking a cup of great coffee to me is more important than cleaning the silly house. I have to admit though that the biggest time sucker and waster in my own life is the internet . . . Grr technology often makes life more time consuming rather than easier. xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello there Sweetie Pie. I have totally missed that you are back in blog land. How lovely. I recognize EVERYTHING in you post. What to do? Is there a magic wand to use for this? I wish.
    I think it is important to remember what makes us happy. And do those things often. And let go of stress. Replies... I struggle too. It is hard. We do our best. Don't beat yourself up about it.
    The house? I think that is my biggest frustration trigger. My house is big. I clean upstairs and the next day I clean downstairs just to find the upstairs ready to be cleaned again. Life with young kids. you just have to embrace the mess. Live with it. A housemade would be fab-fantastic to ease the load.

    I have made myself a schedule, blocked out time for house work and blogging. But social media is a big time stealer... Like now... I was planning to do something else this hour and ended up in blog land. Sigh. So easy to get sucked in...
    I really don't know Vanessa. I'll check out your book. DO all the things you love to do often. Don't take life so serious. Relax and let things be. Take a moment. Go outside and be still and quiet for a minute. Detox your house from material things. Actually THAT is a great idea. I always feel more balanced at the summerhouse where we just have the the basic things... Life is so much easier to live without all the extras. More filled with joy and time than with clutter and mess... Now that is something to get down to. I will make myself a de-clutter my home list.

    Let me know if you find the magic wand for this. I would love to borrow it. I promise I'll give it back.
    Annette
    My Rose Valley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Detox from material things - I absolutely agree with you! As expats we move around quite a bit and find it liberating to live a fairly minimalist life with regard to "stuff".

      Delete
    2. So so true. We have been settled for 6 years now and I feel the urge to move house just to detox and get rid of stuff. All the stuff we collect and that makes our homes crowded. Stealing our energy. It drives me insane sometimes.
      All the best.
      Annette

      Delete
  7. I know how it is,I think it happens to most people,most women...We have to equilibrate with our universe, a good book can help.I do love your first photo,I feel that all these lovely soft colors express yourself...

    ReplyDelete
  8. How do you find time every ten weeks or so??? I feel like I am drowning most of the time! Completely with you all the way.

    Eleanor xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi There,Firstly and the most important thing is to be kind to yourself!!!Treat yourself every, EVERYDAY!!Doesn't matter how you do it!!!Just ask yourself everyday "what have I done for MYSELF today?" Secondly,recognize that you are in fact the GLUE that holds it all together!!!We always think we can't afford to take a break from all our chores but what would happen if you HAVE to?!! If you get ill and you end up off for a week or two, what then?
    And thirdly,Tomorrow is another day!!!!! Nothing bad is going to happen if you leave the dishes for tomorrow morning!They will still be there but you might have more energy in the morning and then you might as well do the breakfast dishes as well!!! 2 in 1!!! No biggy!!! And last but not least,learn to relax and let let go a little!!!Life is far from perfect so your house doesn't have to be either!!!
    Love
    AMarie

    ReplyDelete
  10. There are days when life does seem a little overwhelming. I always remind myself that I can only do so much, and the things that I can't get done today will be there tomorrow for me to complete.

    Heidi’s Wanderings

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have to disappear into my world every once and a while and work on a project. I shut out everything I can and knit, crochet, spin, sew, or whatever I am doing. I am around the public all day and I have to have some space. My kids are old enough that I do not see them much, so it is quiet at home except for the dogs and chickens.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AMEN! I agree with all you wrote ... my oh my! I thought I was the only one who felt the "drowning in life" feeling and I'm a perfectionist too. You have encouraged me to press on and take time for things I love and strive to do. Thank you, sweetie.
    Melissa of Churubusco, IN

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such an insightful post. I am feeling a bit the same, summer doldrums I think, I am glad you can get yourself centered or rebalanced. I think the life of a busy Mother/Woman/life/Daughter can do that to us. So much falls on our shoulders, so take a deep breath, smell the freshly cut grass and take a few minutes to regroup.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  14. For me my hobbies are a way of winding down. They take me into another world where i can forget my worries.....xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. oh ' my sweet, we have similar moods at the exact same moments in time~ i feel so heavy headed, over thinking and getting myself into a pickle...its best to just get away from it all, thats why i walk... just escaping and getting your thoughts back on track...take time out, eat chocs (plenty of those) and be good to you, your not alone my sweet, big hugs my long lost triplet xxxxxxxx tehehehe

    ReplyDelete
  16. It sounds very familiar, I haven't found my magic wand yet...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh, I know exactly how you feel!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm sure this feeling is quite normal in modern life. Actually, to recognise it's the small things that make you happy means you are farther along the road than many. I, like you have a book that I "go to" called Simple Abundance; A Day book of Comfort and Joy. It refocuses the mind and helps me slow the pace of life again. Whether it's illusion or reality, it helps me feel more in control and reprioritise life! Enjoy the sunshine, J9 x

    ReplyDelete
  19. You are so not alone! I too have those 'restless' days when I think 'what's it all about?'. Then I remember something that my mom told me years ago : "Life speeds up as you get older so treasure every moment and when things get tough, just remember to breathe deeply and slowly and the world will slow down again.' Good advice.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Man up! Just kidding. I think you know yourself very well. You know when you have to stop and slow up. I need to recognise that myself.

    I have ditched the guilt over not blogging/replying/commenting. I just want to enjoy myself and replying can be so time consuming that when you've very little time available to do with as you please, well, it becomes a right chore.

    My prescription for you is to watch 5 episodes of Friends back to back and drink tea and do a little of what you fancy.

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love this post, I feel the same and the small things are my oasis and help me to go on too.
    Greetings from Buenos Aires :)
    Valentina

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your post had me agreeing all the way through. There are times when I start to panic and think "I'm not going to be able to fit it all in", especially when I listen to others who go about their daily lives with no hassle at all (maybe that's because their needs are different, no kids, single, part time job etc etc). I am seen as the "strong" one, the one that will sort out anybody's problems but there are times when I could sit in a corner and cry. My solution? Once every few weeks, I have a "time out" day, one where the kids are at school and I can have some "me" time, even if that means sitting in a coffee shop and watching the world go by. Things then get back to normal, I don't know why. I will however buy that book to see if there is some other inspiration out there. Have a wonderful week. Chel x

    ReplyDelete
  23. One of the little things I like to do when I need to be "refreshed" is to look at gorgeous, colorful, artistic blogs such as yours!! :) ---(before the kids get up, when the house is all nice and quiet!)

    Thank you for your beautiful blog, and for sharing your eye for beauty in "everyday" things. I LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. oh gosh, i feel like this all the time! i'm always doing, doing, doing. i need a rest and to not feel guilty about it. you are always an inspiration and i hope you enjoy your down time and get refreshed/renewed!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have been following your blog for some time now and always love the photographs of the crocheted things you have made! thank you for sharing them

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hooooooooo c'est vraiment trop trop trop mignon!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This really struck a chord with me today...thanks so much for your thoughts. Your writing is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

❀ Thank you so much for leaving a comment. If you ask me a question, I will do my best to reply here in the comments section. Just pop back in a day or two and I hopefully will have replied. ❀