Looking back
I like to think that commitment shows up most days in my life Usually when I say I’m going to do something, I go ahead and do it. In 2019 my Word of the Year (#WOTY) was Commitment. I can remember back to the end of 2018, when I decided that Commitment was the perfect word for 2019. Looking forward to the coming year, I just knew it was going to be a busy year, or more likely, a frantic year. You might wonder why 2019 would be busier than usual. After all, I manage to make myself busy most of the time. It just seems to happen, even when it’s not planned.
But there were a few things that I knew were going to be on the agenda for the year that would make me extra busy.
- I had decided to do a full year of Maxines Challenge which is a 12 week exercise and nutrition challenge
- The plan in 2019 was to reinstate the ‘night walk’ which is a longer walk than usual, that I do alone, one night each week. It starts in the evening and being a long walk finishes late into the night.
- I was just getting back into cycling and planned to spend time getting my mojo back
- My new book blog was just gaining momentum and would need quite a bit of attention
- There were a few big events in the genealogy world that meant extra work and extra blogging
- Continuation of the Speedo Swimming program
- Other things in my life, such as work and gardening would be keeping my busy.
When making the above list at the end of 2018, it was clear to me that for everything to work out the way I was hoping, I would have to bring my A game and my commitment. As it turned out, 2019 was a good year for me with most of my plans coming into fruition. The only reason that happened was that my commitment was there constantly.
Self Isolated
You’re probably wondering why I would be mulling over this again, as it’s old news by now. Recently, as I’ve been living my life in isolation, my thoughts keep going back to 2019, when I was 100% committed. I can’t say that my commitment to anything is 100% at the moment. Except perhaps to isolation, which I’m loving and totally committed to. I often joke that I’m enjoying isolation so much, that I may not come out when it’s all over.
I’m loving isolation so much, that I’ve become a bit lazy, and have let my standards and commitment drop. I’m not making myself wrong about this, as I really do think that the corona virus and the directive to isolate came along at the right time for me. I didn’t realise it at the time, but looking back , I can see that I was getting burnt out. Most areas of my life for about eighteen months had been super busy, and it’s fairly clear that I needed to take time out, and I needed to be kind to myself for a change. It hasn’t hurt me at all to take time out from the things that usually feature in my life, either fully, or by just being a bit more relaxed about them.
Now that I’ve had a few weeks in isolation, the novelty of feeling like I am on holidays is wearing off. I’m still loving it, but feel that it’s time to start showing a bit more commitment to areas of my life that usually are important to me, such as my health and my fitness. In isolation, I’ve still been eating a fairly healthy diet, but I’ve been baking more than usual, and of course, occasionally eating those goodies. I need to put a stop to that before my clothes shrink.
As far as fitness is concerned, I’ve still been going to the gym, but doing a much less committed program. We’ve been doing the occasional bike ride on the rail trail but that hasn’t been consistent enough for me to call it a regular form of exercise. Though I’ve been walking every day, I still haven’t done any long walks, since the knee injury, on the advice of the sports physio. He told me that I would know when it was time. I think of those words, every time I walk and haven’t felt that it was time for any more than 5km yet. Until this week. A few days ago, I walked 5.5k in the bush near our house, on tracks that were muddy, hilly and rocky. Despite the conditions, the knee felt the best it has felt in a long while. So from now on, I plan to be committed to increasing my distance. I’m very keen to get back to walking long distances again.
I know that this feeling is not unique to me. The community in general has been feeling the same. Many have gone back to a simpler way of living, after living their life in the fast lane in recent years. The corona virus has given many of us the opportunity to stop, take a breath, and re-assess our lives. There are many like me, that when they were forced to stop, put the brakes on and stopped completely.
Corona virus rules are now being relaxed around Australia. For us, in Victoria, the changes are small and really don’t affect us, so nothing will change for now.We will continue to self isolate and enjoy it but with the difference that I will be using commitment in a meaningful way from now on.
I’d love to hear about your experience of life in isolation. Is your life more relaxed at the moment? I love it when we have a conversation and promise to reply to all comments.
Thank you for sharing this post. I especially appreciate your highlighting the benefits of isolation. I feel a little guilty because I am enjoying having to stay at home, except for essentials. I too have been feeling bits of burnout around the edges but not wanting to admit it. Lots of permission giving here. Thank you. Here too, in Central Pennsylvania, parts of our state are in the “yellow’ phase from red, so some businesses opening, but restaurants are still “to go” only. Lots of mixed feelings about the isolation, some protests, some people think it is too soon to open. I am a bit on the fence but concerned about rebound.
I’m concerned also about the spike when life starts to go back to normal. We won’t be going out for a while. We’d rather wait and see what happens
I think like many others, that I assumed I would be super efficient and finally sort cupboards, garage etc but it just didn’t happen. I did become more consistent with walking though. As someone who suffers depression & anxiety I must say I find it a relief not to have to put on the “I’m ok” mask. to go out. Whilst I know the current situation has caused more people to feel anxious, for me it’s the opposite – I can “just be” with no expectations of me. Online shopping & to the door deliveries are great!
I know what you mean Sue. I’ve been living in yoga pants. Have to go to town on Friday and dreading putting on real clothes. If they fit me that is 😡
I had a light bulb moment yesterday when I felt as though I was failing at everything – my day job, my role as President of RWA, my writing, my weight loss. I have a lot on my plate, to be sure, but I’m spending more time worrying about what I haven’t done than actually doing it. Tbh I’m feeling lazy and unproductive. I’ve given myself a good kick up the butt.
Sounds like your thoughts are similar to mine Jo. I think it’s caused by the stress in the world. Don’t beat yourself up too much
Hi Jen, I don’t think you are alone in not feeling 100% committed during this time. I think the only thing I’ve been committed to is finishing my Cert III in Fitness which I’ve achieved this morning. My running has not been up to normal standard but I’ve been doing a 30 day Yoga Challenge which has kept me committed. Life can be challenging and at times we just have to cut ourselves some slack. Glad to see you are on the way up again and just remember self-care should be a priority. Thanks for linking up and sharing at #MLSTL and have a beautiful week. xx
Thanks Sue. I’m going to make your Stretch challenge part of my self care plan. I seem to be more interested in self care than going flat out at the moment. I’m sure it’s just a cycle and won’t last
Congratulations on finishing your course Sue. You did well to stick to it when life got in the way
I think it’s great that this has given you time to reflect and realise you were heading for burn-out.
I keep seeing memes and things wondering if life will return to normal after this and we’ll have learned nothing from the experience. I hope things do change for us. That we take our experience during this time with us as we move forward and live more ‘aware’ and grateful lives.
Let’s hope as we get our lives back to normal we are more thankful and grateful Deb
Hi Jennifer, I think you’re doing the right thing by listening to your body, and adjusting your pace and intensity accordingly. In my province, some seasonal businesses are allowed to re-open starting May 4. Most non-essential businesses are still closed. For me, I continue to stay at home most of the time, except to go out for short walks and groceries. I hope you join me on Sunday May 17 Wellness Weekend link-up. The optional prompt is Commitment and your post is a wonderful fit. Have a great week! #MLSTL
It’s just walks and groceries for us too Natalie. Will be linking up with you on Sunday for sure
Thank you, Jennifer, for linking up with me on this Wellness Weekend. The next link up is on June 17. Optional prompt Mind Exercise. Have a wonderful week! #WW2020
You have a good week too Natalie. Stay safe
Hi Jennifer – I found that Coronavirus isolation wasn’t much of a problem. I actually enjoyed giving up all my commitments and my plan is to evaluate each one before I jump back in. I’m thinking I may discard some of them permanently and find other things to fill my week with – things that bring me joy and aren’t just an ongoing obligation that I’ve done for years and it no longer suits me. I had already made some changes like this when I retired, but I think there are more in the works. Glad you’re still enjoying your time out of the hustle and bustle of life.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
I’m planning to do same Leanne. We are probably going to be in isolation for a few more months Leanne. I’m happy about that
Isn’t it funny Jennifer, that although I’m retired I have been treating this isolation as a bit of a ‘holiday’. I’ve not had to be anywhere, do anything, and have enjoyed wallowing in those holiday feels for some reason. I’ve also been cooking differently and doing lots of online exercises as well as riding my new ebike. I get what you mean and thank you for being honest and open with sharing your thoughts. I am suffering a sore knee and have finally been to see a physio and although I haven’t been walking much, as it hurts and definitely not running, I have been riding as it doesn’t hurt my knee. I now understand it’s my body’s way of slowing me down a bit and I’ve loved reading, blogging and relaxing in the sun! Lovely to read your words and you sound very happy but I do understand the commitment angle. #mlstl
Sorry to here you have a problem with your knee Deb. I hope it’s nothing serious and better soon. The bike is probably the best thing for it as you know. I think changing things up a bit during isolation is a really good way to approach what we are going through.
I’ve had most of my commitments forcibly removed and am grieving the loss. One of my personal challenges is I need accountability for exercise. I know, I should be able to be self-accountable… but it’s just not gonna happen. So having my OTF classes, yoga classes, and walk & talk with friends all disappear from my calendar shot my exercise program in the foot. (I lost Zumba last year as my instructor moved on, so was already in a deficit place.)
And then having my classes and dinners and theater shows also disappear shot my “connection and do fun things” dead. So I was feeling very empty. I had not been in a burn-out place, but one of good balance! It’s been an uphill battle to reinstate things I need to be happy – daily movement, connecting with others, fun things to do. I have made some progress, but it still is a learning curve of what works for me and what doesn’t.
It’s very difficult times that’s for sure. I understand that some are feeling it more than others. All I would say is to try to do something that makes you happy every day. Hopefully life gets back to something closer to normal very soon
I am glad you have found a way to slow down a bit. I think it is good to take time to reflect on your life and how it is going and this virus has given us time for that. I think it does make us think about our priorities. It is also difficult to be 100 % committed to things during this time.
Thanks for your comments Michele. They are spot on to my thoughts exactly
Hello Jennifer. It definitely sounds like you were ready for a slower, more quiet phase. There are lessons, joys, and sorrows in everything life throws at us–including (or especially) a pandemic. Restrictions are starting to loosen up a bit here too, and I have taken advantage of some services, but with extreme caution. I hope most people will be vigilant, but I do worry about a surge of the virus, as people are getting exasperated with the isolation. Take care…and keep enjoying those yoga pants!
I agree with all you say Christie. I also hope that people obey the rules as restrictions are lifted. We will be staying in isolation for a bit longer
When my family and I turned to homeschooling 8+ years ago we re-vamped our whole lives so that this living in isolation hasn’t been all that different for us. We often say no to outside commitments unless it’s something that one of us really wants to do. While I can’t say staying home has been easy this whole time it’s also not looking all that different from our normal day to day lives other than not getting to see our friends a few times a week. My husband has been working the whole time, like usual, my boys and I have been home most days other than hiking, like usual…. We do however look forward to fun things like seeing friends and family, going to the movies, etc. whenever we are finally allowed to do that.
Sounds like isolation has been no problem for you Joanne. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I will be making changes when it’s over.