Contributed by Mary Nixon, Vice President of Practice Transition

 

Have you been feeling this way lately?

“I just feel off right now.”

“I don’t feel like I’m in rhythm. I don’t know how to explain it. I just don’t feel sharp.”

 

There is a real possibility that you might be experiencing these feelings. As we hit the eighth week of this pandemic, the newness of a quarantine life has completely worn off. The jokes have stopped on Facebook. The fun from newfound Zoom meetings is gone. Netflix has lost it’s appeal.

Your life is finding a new normal and if you aren’t careful, that “new” can cause you to feel “off”.

Stay sharp.  Keep doing the things necessary to keep yourself healthy.  Take time to sharpen your axe.

Sharpening your axe is not a waste of time. Sharpening your axe helps you maintain an edge in the middle of crisis. When the world is on its head, you don’t have to be. You can be one of the ones that begins to thrive in this season.

Here are a few things to help you stay sharp right now.

 

MEDITATE OR PRAY FIRST

Everything is optional these days.  Meditation is optional.  Prayer is optional. And unfortunately, they are the last things we focus on in seasons like this. But they should be the first.

Create a routine for your spiritual health. You need it now more than ever because your spiritual life is completely dependent on you. Set aside time and speak with yourself or God or whoever brings you peace and inspiration.

Do not overcomplicate it. Just set aside some time to focus on your spiritual health everyday and calm your mind.

PERSONAL GROWTH

What is one thing that you are going to do today to get better? If you want to stay sharp, then you must keep investing in yourself. Before the quarantine were you part of a book club?  Hop back on the wagon and get the group going again.  Explore your hobbies again.  Download podcasts that interest you.

Find some way to stop leaning into the endless projections and the political commentary. Instead, jump into something that is going to make you better!

Reading or listening is like taking your axe outside and sharpening it. You need content that challenges your long held limiting beliefs and opens new doors and ideas that stretch you.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

This is a tough one. Why is it that during a time like this, we have more time but want to do less? Fight the urge to stay idle. Make sure to hit the essentials: diet, rest, exercise and water.

Post your walks and runs daily online for accountability. Try to go to bed and get up at a regular time.

A daily walk of at least a mile infuses you with fresh energy. Going to bed and getting up at your regular times (instead of bingeing video games or Netflix until 1am) also keeps you sharp all the next day. Keep your energy level up!

STAY POSITIVE

Don’t allow depression to enter your thinking right now. Your thoughts will immediately go to the negative and fearful as we are surrounded by people with masks and endless negative reporting.

Instead, listen for signs of improvement in the world condition. Celebrate the milestones of recovery developments. Don’t stop making plans for the future! Stay positive and hopeful!

FIGHT ISOLATION

Don’t be alone! “Distance” does not mean “isolation.” The more we isolate ourselves we turn inward and lose our sense of purpose.

Get with your family if possible. Develop online relationships and support calls. Focus on the deepening of marriage and family relationships since this opportunity may never happen in quite the same way again

 

Axes don’t sharpen themselves! Use this time in the “waiting room” of your life to focus on planning, preparing, and performing tasks you never have time to do.

 

YOU WILL EMERGE FROM THIS SEASON WITH YOUR “CUTTING EDGE” INTACT!