There is so much to life. So many moving pieces, in this modern world. A balancing act to juggle the demands of society, your family, your loved ones and your own needs. It is so easy to just live life on auto-pilot. Checking out and becoming a constant hum of tasks, and endless list that updates itself as you close out other tasks. Things to keep track of.
Talk to your co-worker a certain way to remain productive.
Your front door key always needs a jiggle to the left to help the deadbolt seat itself.
You need to make sure you participate in daily meetings.
You left laundry in the dryer.
Check up on bills and credit card statements
Make the bed
Take out the trash.
Meals need to be planned.
Workout routine needs structure.
Your partner prefers no dishes in the sink.
Walk the dog.
etc…
This list could seemingly go on forever. But it is just a glimpse into what goes into a normal day for someone, and it doesn’t even cover remembering things about people in your life that have wants and needs as well. I’ve stated in previous posts that I am definitely a person that could task myself into oblivion, but I think the average human experiences a heavy mental workload in order to remain “functional”.
When it gets really out of control for me it can feel like I am just breezing through my days. Then, after an extended period of time when I reach critical burnout, I look back at my most recent history and I feel numb. I ignore these ruts I set myself into, but after all, routines are how you maintain your house, your pets, your life, your job… can’t you just schedule every part of your life? Can’t you just take photos of things and never look at them again? Or better yet, buy a house with a yard you’ll never have time to spend in? Snatching things to bring with you on your journey foreword with no intention to revisit them.
The answer feels easy- make time for yourself, make time for self-reflection, slow down enjoy life, but its one of the hardest tasks for me to accomplish, because when it all stops spinning I realize, I have no idea what I want and experiences I have tried to make end up feeling like they never happened. But how do you keep a memory of something without killing what made the experience so great?
Being present.
