I want to expand the off-put to be something more worthwhile. I want you, reader, wherever you are and whatever your occupation, to take a teeny tiny bit of time to think about and complete these three activities thoughtfully.
1. Give yourself a mantra for the week based on what you have on the horizon. If it’s looking busy and you’re already in panic mode, the mantra may remind you of your humanity and how you can only do so much.
2. Make yourself a promise about the week ahead that benefits your health. Promise to read a book or promise yourself not to work overtime on Wednesdays. This is a selfish promise in the sense that it’s primarily about you. Spending time with a partner or friend is about both of you, but it’s something you want to do, and it will make you happy.
3. Did you know there are 168 hours in a week? That means there are 10080 minutes. Doing an activity that takes three minutes daily consumes 0.21% of your week. I will not ask you to do something every day, but for as many days as possible, with the minimum being set at one, I want you to have a nothing three minutes. Sit somewhere comfortable or lie down, close your eyes, and focus on breathing. Not forcing it in any way or attempting to control it, just letting it exist. A tiny form of meditation that makes you present.
It’s scary how bad we can be at looking after ourselves, so I want to check in more and use this space as a reminder that you need to love yourself. It is important to be kind outwardly, but too many of us forget about the inward.
This is an instrumental album I found in the week and it does stuff to me. It makes me feel all the things. It is like a spidey sense for your happiness. Until next time! Sound off in the comments. Your friendly neighbourhood poet is Ash Raymond James. x