INVESTING IN OURSELVES

A minute can be very important in re-setting us! How many minutes do we really pay attention to? Did small in-between moments slip by unnoticed? Or were minutes populated with worry and fear? Have you ever paused to ponder how a single minute holds the potential to alter the direction of your day and life? 60 seconds can be a storehouse of resilience to help you bounce back from challenges.

One way we can build resilience is to attempt to avoid emotional clutter. Emotional clutter can build up like dust on furniture. We can keep emotional clutter at bay by wiping our minds clean daily. Try out this daily inventory. Use this strategy when you lose track of where your day went and fail to engage in any activities that were fun, fulfilling, or connected you to other people.  How much time did you spend during the past week on each activity?

Self- Care; including nutrition, hygiene, rest etc. Communicating in person face to face with significant others?

On technology not for work, business, or school such as television, computer, phone, etc.

Physical activity?

Spending time in nature?

Hobbies or any other leisure activity?

Reflecting, being still, pausing, meditating or reading?

Work, business, or school?

Browsing and shopping in a store or online?

Sleeping or napping?

Continue to inquire within:Overall, how do I feel about how I used my time? Did anything surprise me? Am I using technology in replacement of activities I used to enjoy? Can I foster more balance?

What challenges are presented? How can I align with my values?

List at least one small realistic change you can make beginning today. 

Take note of how this change impacts you.

Very often all we need is a minute to begin again and change the trajectory of our day or even week! Emotions are indeed part of the human experience, but they don’t have to rule us! I hope this technique to clear emotional clutter is helpful.