Check, balance, adjust
My bullet journal has been going really well so far this year. I've really enjoyed tracking the various elements of my wellbeing, and benefitted from my daily, weekly and monthly goals. However, I have noticed that some balance is required, as I have on a couple of occasions felt overwhelmed. For example, I got COVID towards the end of January which laid me up for 10 days or so. And yesterday, I had a wonderful trip out with Rock Choir, but it was a very long day and so I then struggled to fulfil the daily goals that I had set myself in my journal.
After a calming 10 minute meditation session this morning, I was able to sit back and reflect on this and came to the conclusion that a review and adjustment of my goal-setting strategy was required. I realised that I am very good to sticking 100% to a regime* that I have created for myself, when I am at home and doing my usual routine. However, anything outside of my usual routine that is preventing me from sticking rigidly to that regime, is starting to create a bit of panic as to how to fit everything in. This is not good for my mental and emotional wellbeing, and counteracts what I am seeking to do with the journal.
*btw, the word regime works for me. It may sound a bit strict and imposing for others; however I feel safe within its structure, and it keeps me held and accountable, which really helps me.
So I have decided to implement a system of Event Days, which are days that sit outside of my normal routine and therefore not part of the regime. On these Event Days, I will simply do my best, whatever my best looks like. I love The Four Agreements as set out by Don Miguel Ruiz in his Toltec Wisdom book, one of which is "always do your best". This states that “Your best is going to change from moment to moment. It will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.” It's really helped me in daily life, as some days my best is just getting out of bed, and this gives me a freedom of permission to just be, rather than having to be perfect and to over achieve every day.
My Event Days are not designed to be excuses for not participating in my regime. On a day when I'm a bit tired and lacking a bit of motivation, it's more important than ever to nourish myself by making an effort to eat well and to exercise/move. So that is why I have decided to call them Event Days, as they are days when there is something happening that is outside my usual routine. At the end of each month, I am going to record how many Event Days have occurred within that month, as it will be important to check on whether the system is working, and make any necessary adjustments to keep the balance that works for me.
Thank you for listening.
*if you enjoy the themes of these musings and would like to learn more, or join in similar conversations, please head over to The Listening House.