Prioritising Taking A Step Back

This year I’m making more time to rest and recharge.  Now that things are starting to calm down more out in the world, we’re all struggling to find our footing again.

Personally, I was hoping for a lockdown four here in the UK post-Christmas 2022, just so I had half a chance of catching my breath after the last few years of crazy that we've all been going through. But, seeing as that hasn’t happened, I’m looking at other ways that I can look after myself more now that the world is opening back up again.

Every so often I look at my routines and how I'm spending my time and if it's serving me in the best way, or are some things needing to change?  My morning routines for workdays and days off are pretty good now and my nighttime routine is beginning to get there.

One thing I have been looking at is what I do on my days off.  Am I making the best use of those days for both achieving tasks and resting?

Not really.

Monday’s were for content creation in the form of photoshoots, writing posts for Instagram and resting, Thursdays were for doing my food shop, working on blog posts and other content creations with some resting and Sundays were for church, doing laundry, getting rest and occasionally some content creation.  

I was getting tasks accomplished and I was resting but I haven't felt well rested in months.  I know a huge part of that is down to the pandemic and I accept that, but how can I look after myself better going forward?

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I’m starting something I’m calling Sabbath Sunday where I go to church, watch faith-based content, read and study the Bible and reading other faith-based content, praying and listen to worship music as well as resting.  

No secular content is allowed.  I even try not to do any content creation either, even if it is faith-based.  I did take some photos recently of myself on a Sunday morning before church but that was only because I was in a funk and wanted to record that mood for use on Instagram later that week.  

So far these Sabbath Sundays have been amazing!  Sundays have been my favourite day of the week for many many years and it is even more so now.  I’m also starting to avoid social media on Sundays as well, which is a bit more difficult as it's such a habit to pick up your phone and check Instagram at multiple points during the day.  

I’ve really noticed a difference in my anxiety as a whole since implementing my Sabbath Sundays as well as avoidance of secular content at other times like last Friday night when I chose to watch some of The Chosen instead as I needed to consume some faith-related content instead.

I’m still evaluating the things that I do on Mondays and Thursdays to make them more productive in both accomplishing tasks and resting, but as with everything, it takes time.  It’s trial and error and tweaking things until you find something that works for you.

How are you doing?  Do you make enough time for rest?