I struggled to find the right words to start this post. Why? Because I’ve felt the same way you do. I also wanted to stay sane like you do, which is why you’re reading this right now.
The pandemic got a lot of people feeling undue pressure, either from consuming too much content or seeing everyone else create content. I had a discussion with two of my friends on a few things to do that could help. It seemed to work for them too so I thought to share a 4-step cycle that helps me and could help you navigate your way through these times.
1. UNPLUG
I cannot emphasise this enough: Cut back on your social media hours.
Limit the time you spend scrolling through feeds and tweets. It’s easy to spend hours on these platforms since we’re all stuck at home and bored. You don’t realise it soon enough but swallowing content upon content gradually affects your moods. The pressure to do something too, to “join in”, builds up.
So take time off the Internet: a day, maybe more.
2. RELAX
So you decided to take time off, what do you do with that time? There’s a lot you can do but the key is to remember to not pressure yourself.
– Try a day of relaxation, no checking off a TO-DO list and no online courses. Stay away from your phones and engage in fun and lightweight activities. Do some yoga, bake a pie, go for a run, catch up with family, etc. There’s a lot of mini activities to keep you occupied yet relaxed.
– Meditate, try to “quiet the noises in your head”. Focus on everything you have to be grateful for. Do some soul searching.
3. STOP
I know internet is overflowing with so much information and content. I also know it can be hard to keep up but YOU DON’T HAVE TO.
This period gives a great opportunity to do things you couldn’t do due to schooling or your 9-5 job, I get that. I really do. However, you have to understand that placing too much pressure on yourself and the “opportunities” of this period only makes you unproductive.
So STOP, stop right now. Go back to the vision board and write down all of those goals you want to achieve. Then, forget about them.
Free your mind from them. Focus on Staying Sane and getting through these times.
You do not have to take those multiple online classes/courses you signed up for. You do not have to be 200% productive because ” you have more time”.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ALL AT ONCE. Remember that.
4. GET BACK TO WORK
If you took yourself through the first three steps properly, I’m certain you’d feel refreshed and much saner within a few days. That’s the best time to get back to the board. You’d probably be bursting with fresh ideas or energy to achieve the ones already on the board. So here’s how to make sure you’re productive:
– Schedule your day, assign hours for every item on your to-do list. Try not to overwhelm your mind, this only causes panic. Remind yourself you’ll get everything done eventually.
– Check your list off one by one, don’t rush, don’t pressure yourself.
– Don’t forget to take breaks, they are important.
Writing always helps me keep track of things, so I write everything down. I also struggle with time scheduling too so it’s okay if fixed hours won’t work for you.
All in all, do whatever you’re mentally ready for.
AND REPEAT…
You might stay a while in step 4 or you might be back to feeling overwhelmed in a few days. All you have to do is repeat the cycle, it works every single time.
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So that’s basically the routine I follow and I hope the tips can help you get back to your productive self!
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to engage with me in the comments🖤
With Love,
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