With the holidays approaching and 2014 just a few months away, I’ve been looking back at the past year and what a whirlwind it was. I get emotional just thinking about what a roller coaster it has been.
Adventures I’ll never forget.
Moments I’ll never forget.
People I’ll never forget.
Career decisions.
(What felt like) career disasters.
The summer in Montauk.
My best friend getting married.
Discovering what I’m truly passionate about.
Stepping into my identity.
…the list goes on.
If I’m being completely honest, lately a lot of those things (the good and the bad) have been catching up to me. I have that all over the place feeling, even when I’m doing nothing at all. I find myself continually taking on new things – and not closing doors behind me – with the idea that “well as soon as THIS happens” or “as soon as THIS is over” things will go back to normal.
But I’m realizing life doesn’t work that way. Not everything always works itself out…sometimes you need to step in and claim back the life that is rightfully yours.
One of my biggest problems is that I spend so much time and energy on what I think are the “big things” that I fail to cultivate the seemingly “simple things” – the basics - as much as I should. The irony is that as soon as I stop tending to the basics, all of the other things seem even more difficult to manage.
So I’m going back to basics.
One of the first things to go when my mind is all over the place is my daily time spent with God, and that’s the biggest mistake I could make. When I start my day with God, He’s present throughout every thought, decision, and emotion. But when I start my day going right into work (as I have been), I find myself in a blur of messy negative thoughts, and believing things that aren’t even the truth. And that…that has GOT to change.
The other basic thing I need to get back to is just taking better care of myself – my mind, body, and soul. I need to be more cognizant of my limits…and stop pushing myself past them. Living in the most fast-paced city in the world, that’s not exactly an easy thing to do. But I need to remember that the best way to be an effective worker, friend, and leader is to first make sure I’m taking care of myself.
My course of action is pretty simple – I’m going to remember to focus on those two things more, as well as embrace my “be me” plan. I’m excited to get back to basics…whose with me?
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How do you combat feeling “all over the place”?
What does going back to basics look like for you?
I try and remember the last time when things (meaning my mind) were at peace. Then I try and recreate that. Sometimes I’ll escape NYC for a few days and visit my family in Boston. I also stop spreading myself thin and start doing things on the “Yetti Feel Good” list, a list I made of things that make me happy.
Good luck on getting back to the basics dear!
Yes - “escaping” the city definitely helps. I try to go to PA at least once a month (even if just for 24 hours)!
I love that for you, going back to the basics starts with daily time with God. I usually do my quiet times at night, but I have trying to wake up earlier to do my devotions at the beginning of the day. I find that it helps recenter my day around God rather than around myself.
When I try to find peace, I often set out time for a small retreat. Even just an hour of relaxing and reflecting does wonders for me. I find that taking a bath is a great way to rest my body and my mind.
I loooove this! I can totally relate to this - NYC is so fast paced and sometimes I forget to focus on the important things. I never take enough time to spend with God or just myself. Thanks for the reminder!
Elly says
Thanks for this!! I am kind of in the same spot where I am really trying to go back to keeping my mind, body and spirit in check
Girl you are talking to me! I am on your level through and through and have been dealing with every same emotion sooo much recently. I am currently unemployed, constantly job searching, trying to stay productive and busy in that aspect while dealing with the emotions that come with that like defeat, not making people proud, and wanting so badly to just be known for my talent and my passion. I am always looking toward to bigger, future things and am often overlooking the simple things like time in the word, companionship with friends, rest. I get antsy and need to constantly be doing something but I really just want to find me purpose in life where I am reaching goals and making time for people and things that are truly meaningful and important. phewwww! one day!
Thanks so much for this comment, Kelsey! I’m so glad you can relate
hope you have an amazing week! xoxo
Love this, Gracie. This really, really spoke to me and is something I desperately want and need to do as well. I KNOW how much better life can be when God is front and center and everything else just falls around Him. Not sure why I let myself get into bad habits but I want to get back to basics too. Thank you for this!
You’re so welcome, thank YOU for this comment! xo
I am so, so, so with you. I feel like you took the words/feelings right out of me. I’ve been in the exact same boat and getting back to the simple things is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Thank you for encouraging me to put some action behind my thoughts. xoxo
yes! This is awesome
I always allow stress/busy schedules to keep me from spending time with The Lord, but when I am busy is when I need Him most!
When I start to “feel all over the place,” I will usually take a step back, talk with my family and relax with a good book.
I think the best thing that you can do when you are feeling all over the place is to take a step back and reevaluate all that you have going on. Making myself a list helps, too. I can prioritize those things that I need to get done, things that I need to spend more time on, and things that can wait. It makes life feel a little more manageable when I have it written down in front of me.
Yes - couldn’t agree more. So often, the things we feel overwhelmed by aren’t that bad at all…it’s just a matter of managing them better. Thanks for the comment, Kristi!
Thank you for sharing this. You stated it perfectly: “sometimes you need to step in and claim back the life that is rightfully yours.” YES. IT IS. Totally agree with you that daily time with God AND yourself is absolutely vital.
Lots of love! xo