My Island

I have spent the past two weeks away from my Atlanta home. I’ve been nestled in our little, not fancy, cottage in the middle of trees and ground cover made of ferns, that I have dubbed “My Island”. And it has been a great re-set.

This isn’t to say I’ve done anything outstanding or noteworthy. I am still working, making those eight plus billable hours a day required by #lawyer life. BUT, the change of scenery has helped calm the nervous system and brought on so much more peace all around. It has also fostered much more outdoor time and I’ve noticed I have hardly any thoughts of “keeping up”, comparisons or been influenced to hit the “purchase” button - because the delivery time here is not “next day”!

Here are some of the things I’ve noticed:

I manage my time much better.

I love savoring my coffee outside before firing up my laptop.

I make it a point to sneak in outdoor activities in little windows, meaning early morning kayak, late afternoon dog walks, early evening paddleboarding, more reading, (less scrolling and, as I’ve said, no mindless purchasing, because delivery is NOT next day! ) and mini work breaks for farmer walks around the driveway or walking lunges up the hill. I “encourage” myself to hit the darn golf balls, chip and putt outside of my house, get to the gym, take a hike, put on the weighted vest for a dog walk, and get out on the lake, because this time is limited and I want to make the most of it.

I intentionally make it and appreciate the time being simpler and quieter and more settled.

So, what about when I get back to the real office, the traffic and the hustle mentality that seems to suck so many of us in. I feel as if I am constantly trying to improve some area of my life or another. Right now, top of my list is working to “unhustle” my schedule, my mindset and my lifestyle.

Is that possible? Have you mastered this?

I’ve seen more articles lately on this “unhustle” mindset, letting go of “workism” and finding work that is just enough. If these terms are new, here’s one such article. I’ve also been reading more research on the importance of hobbies and the benefit having something outside of what we do as work to create balance, contentment and joy. Having something to do in the “golden hours”, that time when the work day ends and before winding down is the perfect time to create space for a hobby, connection or something meaningful.

When I say work, I don’t mean that you have to have a standard 9-5 job to benefit from any of these things. I’ve always believed that we all need more than our work to give us our purpose. I have many friends who have or are looking at retirement, or who are now in the empty nest stage so there are new schedules to create, new time to fill with all the things that couldn’t be squeezed in with so many work and family commitments and crazy kids’ schedules.

I am totally veering off topic here, but I see this as coming together into a basic thread of how we view our time. Using the time we have, regardless of what season we are in. If we are still working in a full time position, a reduced schedule or have “done your time” and are in a season of more freedom, how we choose to use that time and create meaning matters. I was talking with a friend recently who had “done her time” and was retired. I was amazed at the new “retired” schedule she had created. It was chock full of as it was chock full of connection with others, weekly time giving back, experiences and learning new things. She is my hero and I hope to get there some day. . . .

Until then, back to my initial question of how to create peace and joy outside of normal business working hours. . . .I am realizing how important this is. Specifically, creating that same “settled” feeling I get when I am at “my island”. Reinventing the thought processes and attitude that we are measured by our output, our hustle, our need to be in the midst of the “swirl”.

I am not tying this up nicely with a bow and a solution. It is a beginning of a new phase for me. I do not have the answer, but I do know that the biggest step is realizing and acknowledging where we are and the need for change. Since I cannot live permanently in the woods on “my island” I’m ponding ways to create that feeling wherever I am.

Recently, Kate Bowler posted a message that resonated with me. See it HERE and below.

What about you?

I wish I could have said this half as well! If you do not know of or follow Kate Bowler I hope you do now! She is a fresh of breath air in her writings of life and grief and joy.

While unwinding my own self and thoughts around these grips, and learning to “unhustle” and create more settled space could be seen as just another one of my “goals” or things to add to my constant list, but it’s more than that. I think it’s the season of life, so it’s time and maybe is for you too.