What really, is productivity? How does one measure a day-well-spent when technically, there’s no real difference between a Monday and the weekend?
When the human race is subjected to a never-before-seen halt, one would think, we should find it easier to stop and smell the roses. But sunsets follow sunrises and though the cycle goes on and on, we are exactly where we were, a couple of moons ago. And it’s this constant state of being stagnant, feeling stuck — deluding some of us to feel like we need to do more, even though we might actually be in our best form. It feels like we’re running on a treadmill and we’re going nowhere but anxiety central and toxic productivity-guilt. The world is going through a pandemic, the worst of its kind in history, and a few of us are privileged enough to flatten the curve by staying at home. And then some of us are even luckier, to be able to do so whilst holding onto our jobs. So of course, we should do our best and show our gratitude for all of that and more. But, how and at what cost? Social media convinces us, there’s something wrong if we can’t appreciate and make the most of every waking hour. But need everyone’s appreciation be uniform? And who decides what’s good enough? For some, merely dragging themselves out of bed, is a war — won. Working from the comforts of our home often mean longer, perhaps haphazard, work hours, with no divide whatsoever between ‘being at work’ and ‘off’. So how does one cope? Especially with everyone running around like headless chickens it’s no surprise — the influx of motivational podcasts, spiritual webinars, along with suggestive ‘how-to-make-the-most-of-your-day’ articles and listicles, floating about at the speed of light; one thing is for certain — we need to, now more than ever, reflect and reject what doesn’t resonate. Let’s do our future selves a favour and make a slow, gradual but imperative change. 1. Compartmentalise and stop glorifying overwork — this cannot be stressed enough.
At a time when all of mankind is in unchartered territory, now is when we truly need to pause, define and redefine words like ‘productive’, ‘hard-working’, ‘efficient’ or ‘resourceful’; until they’re tailor-made and the most constructive they can be — for our own growth as people, and not merely as professionals.
More so, if we are young and merely just starting out, we need to reassess our role models. Stop looking for guidance where there’s an evident lack of agency.
You know how no two trees in the forest are the same: Just because something floats their boat, needn’t mean it can’t sink ours — not all boats are the same after all. What works for me might not work for you — it’s not one-size-fits-all!
2. Consciously remind and remember, what we see on social media and otherwise, isn’t the whole picture. Like a movie on the silver screen and what we’re given access to is what people are choosing to illuminate — their edited highlight reel, all else is hidden, even the making of and the behind the scenes.
Easier said than done but we need to detach and cleanse what’s in our Digital space; keep us as our benchmark and try and work up-hill from here. Unfollow, unsubscribe and deactivate or delete anything that causes us to hit inner-turbulence. I read a piece by Kristina Tomic, the editor of Getyob, a couple of years ago and a line she said has stuck with me — Don’t compare your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 19 or 20. Let it sink in. 3. Do something, anything, but just for ourselves.
Learn something new, cook our favourite meal, or just take a mental health day — roll up in bed in our jammies and watch the birds do their thing. Whatever it is, put away the To-Do List for at least a day a week, or at least a couple of hours to begin with and really recuperate and process everything. You know how when we’re heavily training, working out, we’re asked to rest our muscles, stretch, nourish it? Precisely that. Take a break, beyond one’s slated holidays and yearly leaves. A study by the researchers at the Occupation Sleep Medicine Group at Washington State University prescribes something termed as Waking Rest; which they describe as the fourth puzzle piece to wellness along with — exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Amanda Lamp, Ph.D., the lead author of the letter to the editor of the academic journal Sleep relaying the study says, “ [It is] a period of quiet, reflective thought that allows the brain time to consider and process whatever arises spontaneously. Consciously stepping out of yourself and your deadlines and your to-do lists and everything you think is important, and allowing your brain the time to think about what needs to be processed or consolidated or thought through, or prepared for, or whatever the case may be.”
Nature is forcing a speed breaker into our fast-tracked lives, almost prodding us to go within and amalgamate our wellbeing with our daily life — bridge the gap between mindfulness and spirituality with our every day and who we want to be.
Cause Pandemic or not — we are so much more than that assignment, deadline, grade, or job. So let’s, on our own terms, cut ourselves some slack, see beneath the veils and not take ourselves so seriously! [15.5.20. Read the original piece here.]
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