As September starts to gear up, my calendar reminds me of the continuous grind of the semester. The beautiful summer days are slipping away, replaced by rainy mornings and a chill in the air. The excited and nervous energy of the beginning of the school year and orientations is being replaced by the reality of the real work, the logistics, the meetings… It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of new beginnings and sometimes the magnitude of everything that needs to be done hits like a brick wall. I am reminded that as much as I want to, I cannot do everything. Sometimes I must make hard decisions about what I can do and what will put me over the edge.
Every year I find this to be a moment where I need to slow down and remember the practices that help ground me amid chaos. What are the things that allow me to breathe deeper? Exhale longer? The people I need to spend time with who remind me of what’s important? I know I need time every day to walk outside, appreciate the little changes of season, time to get out of New Haven and enjoy Connecticut’s beauty. I need stillness in the morning, a slow start to my day with a warm cup of coffee. A time to reflect in gratitude for all my blessings in life. I need time to play with my kids, to experience the exuberance of life through their eyes. What are your practices that help ground you? What are the things to build into your calendar now that transform stress into joy and meaning?