The last six months have been all about balance and finding more time to do the things I love. After a few health issues I realised how tired I was of always striving to fit more in. With a City job, aspiring business ideas, wide-ranging hobbies and social activities there was never enough time to do it all. I constantly felt like I was rushing onto the next thing, and not taking any of it in. It had been that way for nearly a decade and I was exhausted. So I made some changes.
I started by negotiating to go down to two days a week at work by covering a project that didn't need full time support (my company saved some money as they didn't need someone full time, so it was win-win). I took up mindfulness and did yoga classes at lunchtime. I took our family dog for long walks on Monday afternoons. I had massages and 'me' days. I went to workshops and learned new things. I read books for pleasure again. I visited art galleries and picked up a paint brush for the first time in years. I got back into horse riding, something which really makes my heart sing every time I visit the stables. I fell in love with my life - and myself - through doing the things I dearly love.
And paradoxically, I now find there is space for more and more. It's as if time has expanded to become limitless. Weeks feel like months as I reflect on all the things I have done, although I still feel decidedly 'unbusy'. Letting go of the need to do everything 'now' allows me to do and enjoy just one thing instead.
There is a place in my life for everything I do. All the things in my life - even the City job - are there because I've chosen them, and that's a very powerful sentiment indeed.
