It’s time for more 5-Minute Retreats. Today’s first retreat is to do nothing. I know you’re thinking that you’re too busy to do nothing. As mothers we always have something that needs doing—- a load of laundry, clothes that need mending, grocery shopping— the list goes on and on. But we should not push ourselves to the point of exhaustion. The author offers several times when we can take a break and do nothing. It does not have to be a long period of time either. Examples include: when the baby is napping, right before the kids come home from school, or the last few minutes before you go to bed.
I have found that since Tyler started school if I work right up until the time I have to pick him up sometimes I get really cross. Mainly, because I am usually still thinking about deadlines and research and so on and there he is telling me about what he had for lunch or about something funny (?) that happened in his class. But if I stop at least 30 minutes to an hour and take a breather I have a chance to wind down from working and can go into mommy mode. What I like to do is turn on Comedy Central and watch Steven Colbert or Mad TV. These are two of my favorite shows and I always have a good laugh. If the weather is nice I like to sit outside in the backyard or sometimes I take a quick walk.
Now, this next retreat is one I have not tried but definitely think I might and that’s taking a fantasy vacation. The author tells readers to put monetary restrictions aside and just imagine what your dream vacation would be. Then take it a step further and collect travel brochures, maps or guidebooks or even go online and take a virtual vacation. Ah, Paris in the springtime, I can see it now!
Stay tuned for more retreats.