August’s theme: just one thing
The theme of August has been ‘just one thing’. Rather than overwhelming ourselves by trying to cram everything we can into the last of the summer holidays, I think we should focus on one thing, creating memories and being present.
A week of big news and instant overwhelm
I’m trying to take my own advice this week. Last week I got the news that I was hoping for – I am now a certified menopause support coach. The previous week, my trademark – The Menopause Corner – came through and it was my intention to update my website and work behind the scenes over the next few weeks to get everything in a good place.
Why I stepped away from the reading list
I’m doing a course which starts this week – it’s a train the trainer course – and yesterday (Sunday) I received an email with the syllabus and reading list. It’s quite a short course – it’ll be over in about 3 weeks, but the amount of reading immediately overwhelmed me. The weather was nice yesterday, so rather than get stuck in, I went outside to pick up a house project I’ve neglected for nearly 2 years and just took the time to think about what I want this week to look like.
How focusing on one priority changed everything
I’m really excited to do this course and for the next couple of weeks, it’s going to be all-consuming. So yes, I want to update my website, make the curtains for my office and probably a bazillion other things, but I’m just going to focus on my course, start with the first article and go from there. I’ve planned my food for the week already and my priority is to look after myself, eat well, make sure I’m rested and as prepared as I can be to pass my course.
My website will still be there in a couple of weeks’ time, my curtains can wait until the weather turns (and probably will anyway!) and just focusing on my course has massively reduced the overwhelm that was starting to build up.
So what’s your one thing this week?
If this sounds familiar, rather than creating an insane to-do list (although doing a mind-dump so you have everything in one place isn’t a terrible idea!), look at what’s coming up this week, what is the one priority you have and then just do that. You may be able to do other stuff as well. You may not. Neither is right, but being kind to yourself and listening to your body, that is definitely the way to go.