Hello, Subscribers. One of my former leaders told us it's not worth doing if it isn’t fun. This forms the core philosophy of my weekly writings and will help you prepare for the week through the power of play to set yourself up for success. Incorporating play into your daily routine can enhance your creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall well-being, leading to personal and professional growth. I glean insights from my inner child about behaviors and patterns and can help you do the same. Let’s get set up for success. By joining my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ThingsToThinkAbout, you not only support my work but also gain access to exclusive content and insights.
It’s time for an accountability check-in. I made time for things that matter to me and am happy to report that I have redone my intake form and scheduled a LinkedIn Live with a friend about recharging. I did not draw this week, but I enjoyed exploring light photography. I have not been as conscientious about my bedtime, but I have walked daily this week and stuck with my morning routine. I may need a Sudoku game cut-off time. I did notice myself being judgmental and was able to change my perspective about the situation. I avoided being distracted by a video of someone renovating a house. It is still a win since I enjoy early morning conversations with my favorite guest editor. Oh! My youngest cooked us dinner yesterday. That is a tasty win. Making jerk chocolate cookies was also a win. You can get the recipe from my Patreon.
This week, I am featuring the Spiritual AF deck by Roxan McDonald, which is © Knock Knock LLC. This is an irreverent collection of inspirational cards. What should we consider in the week ahead? “Don’t involve yourself with wack shit.” In my last blog, I spoke about in-scope and out-of-scope. When I became Little Miss FixIt, I often recognized that I wasted energy because it did not concern me. I usually refer to the Polish proverb, “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” Roxan recommends that we list things to avoid and see how we feel. I plan on avoiding being sucked into drama, doing other people’s work, and procrastination. Last week, I kept a promise to myself, and by focusing on what was important to me, I crossed off a few items from my to-do list. I also made time for fun and enjoyed going to the movies. What are your “must-dos” for the week if you dislike avoidance? I must recharge daily, laugh daily, resist evil, and spend quality time with my loved ones.
What is some of the “wack shit” that can get in the way? “Pretending to be [merciless] won’t heal that hole in your heart, baby.” As my friend Yinka often says, feelings are not facts. Toxic positivity or avoidance are certainly strategies you can use to deal with your emotions, but I don’t find them to be particularly helpful or successful. Please pay attention to your reactions this week and acknowledge them. I know that I can be judgmental and quick to get angry. I’ve learned that this results in misunderstandings and apologies. Awareness is the first step. Sometimes, the feelings and behaviors creep up on you. It is okay to have those thoughts, but what you do is what matters. A deep breath or three is an effective pause mechanism. What can give you some space or objectivity? What if you were observing your situation as a stranger? What insights does that provide? Maybe you owe yourself an apology and must work on repairing the harm. What is getting in your way?
“Where can you focus instead?” Sitting Bull allegedly said, “Inside of me there are two dogs. One is mean and evil and the other is good and they fight each other all the time. When asked which ones wins, I answer, the one I feed the most.” Roxan notes that “Maybe you just need to shake your booty?” If hurt people hurt people, then joyful people lift people up. I will focus on things that bring me joy. I used to have a routine where I celebrated even the most minor wins. If I woke up and went on a walk, I would say, “Yay me!” do a two-fisted salute, and then move on to the next thing. If I only paid attention to what I still needed to do, I would probably spiral into depression. It is okay to take a moment and try to see if my cat will give me a fist bump. I will enjoy ice cream and continue to practice playing Sudoku. I am seeing positive results. What brings you joy and moves the needle? We must be intentional with our energy or risk squandering the opportunities presented to us. Shaking your booty is a great reminder about our embodied feelings. Listening to my gut rarely steers me wrong.
What is one small step that we can take that will get us closer to our goals? “Fuck what they think.” If people want to judge you for decrying a genocide, “Let them.” Mel Robbins spoke about her “Let Them Theory.” I have found it to be very liberating. She notes when we stop trying to force other people to match our expectations, it frees up time and energy. If people don’t want to do their job, “let them.” Document the heck out of it, but “let them.” If you want to wear that outfit or launch your new business, will you let other people’s opinions stop you? As Tracy Chapman sang, “I’m too old to go chasing around, wasting my precious energy.” How will you live your one precious life? As a recovering control freak and martyr, I plan to stop operating from the Drama Triangle, a concept conceived by Stephen Karpman, to a more empowering model. We may not be able to control the world around us, but we are responsible for how we choose to react. Where are you sinking your energy, and what could you do if you reclaimed your power? Are you ready to leave the circus behind? Namaste
Please get in touch with me if you wish to incorporate play into your day to spark creative ideas and get unstuck.
