Day 10 of NaBloPoMo and I’m still in the game!
I would say I hate this time of year, if I didn’t love to snowmobile. So for that reason, I’ll be doing the snow dance and hopefully have many fun riding weekends to look forward to. But otherwise, this time of year is tough in many ways. After Daylight Savings Time ends, the temps drop and it’s dark at 4pm, I truly just want to hibernate.
Now begins the time of year where I get home from work, I feel like I have 30 minutes of evening until I MUST hit the sack, and then sleep for ten minutes until the alarm goes off and it’s like Groundhog Day all over again. I feel sluggish, tired, and I can’t seem to get anything done. If I turn in late, I get up late, have to work late, and the cycle starts again.
As much as I love NaBloPoMo, it doesn’t help matters. Now I need to fit a blog post into my already short days, which most of the time takes up my entire evening. I try to stockpile ideas throughout the year that would be appropriate for November to at least have a head start that way.
So on this morning’s commute, I verbally brainstormed into the voice recorder app on my phone, ways to combat this. I came up with the following:
Map out your daily priorities. What are the important things that you must devote time to every day? Is daily exercise a priority? Meditation? Do it first thing or right when you get home. I’m on my elliptical right now, hopping off to type as I listen to my saved audio. It’s been said for years how it increases endorphins and elevates your mood. And you won’t have the guilt of not getting in your workout.
Visualize what a perfect (or near perfect) day would look like. Make a list and check it twice. Schedule your week if that works for you. Do certain things on certain days. Use a timer throughout the evening. I know it may sound rigid, but I prefer the feeling of getting things done. Schedule your time only certain days, perhaps.
Break up the monotony with a mid-week fun excursion. Even if it’s just visiting a new store that’s opened up in your area, trying a new restaurant, see a movie, something to break up the workweek drudgery.
Check your library for events scheduled through the winter. Many have very, very cool programs and activities for both kids and adults. Mine has Adult Coloring Night twice a month which I LOVE and have met several cool people.
Celebrate staying on task! If you do schedule your time or keep a list of priorities and you stick to everything all week, not only will you feel accomplished, but GO CELEBRATE your disciplined efforts!
Do you struggle during this time of year? What helps you to stay energized through the winter months?