Getting Back Into a Routine
Finding a groove after quarantine
For the past few months, I haven’t been doing much. I have been watching Netflix, reading books, doing housework, and not much more. Suddenly, the quarantine is coming to an end, and it feels like so many responsibilities are crashing down on me all at once.
Maybe I just got used to not having anything to do, so the few things that are now on my agenda feel big and overwhelming. I used to be great at meeting deadlines, but ever since all the deadlines disappeared, the few that I do still have to meet seem so much more prominent and overbearing. Below, are some tips that have helped me remain focused and not stressed out now that the world is starting back up again.
See The Big Picture
One technique that I like to use when suddenly I feel that I have a lot on my plate, is to list everything. Sometimes, there isn’t as much as there seems to be. For example, this morning, I was feeling kinda stressed out, so I made a list of all the things I had to do that were stressing me out:
- Write an article for Medium for tomorrow
- Write an article for community newsletter by July 5th
- Figure out how to get textbooks for summer school
- Go on a run
When I look over the list, it suddenly doesn’t feel like that much. For example, right now there isn’t much I can do about point #3, so I can move that task to the bottom of my list. Point #2 is something that I still have time to do, so I can move that closer to the bottom as well.
Even just doing this exercise in writing this article, I feel much calmer and more in control of the situation.
Control Controlables
This is something my dad taught me from a book he read, and it truly is a brilliant strategy. Right now, there are a lot of factors in my life that I cannot control, so instead of worrying about what might happen, I try to just not think about them at all. I know that I have no say in how a certain situation is going to play out, so the only thing I can do is be prepared and react accordingly when it does happen.
For example, right now, summer school is stressing me out, because I feel very unprepared. Instead of spending all day worrying about it, I can try and get the other things on my list done, so that when this does require my attention, I can devote all my energy to summer school. Right now, there is not much I can do to prep for summer school, so there is nothing I can control in this situation.
Get Things Done
Sometimes, it’s the little victories that can help inspire me to complete the big tasks. One way I try to give myself little victories is by putting easy things on my to-do list. This might mean writing down “Get the mail” or “Do the dishes” on your to-do list to feel productive. It’s nice to look down at your list of things to do and see points crossed off, rather than many intimidating tasks. As well, writing down the little things can mean a chance to take a well-deserved break in the middle of a big task.
In an everchanging world full of restrictions and modifications, having strategies to help lighten the load on a certain day can be really helpful. When we’ve gotten used to having a lot less to do, suddenly being bombarded with a whole list of things to do can be intimidating, but whatever it is you have to do today, with the right mindset, it is achievable.
