Easy Does It

If you’re anything like me – those with an addictive personality will know what I mean – you tend to do everything to excess. We can drink too much; spend too much; worry too much; eat too much; have too many resentments.

All of these things can hurt us physically and mentally especially when we do too much of everything.

I’ve just moved house to Brecon, Wales, which is a beautiful place with lots of enticing riverside walks. As you can imagine I’ve been surrounded by boxes and have had to put this slogan of ‘Easy Does It’ into practice on a daily basis. My natural inclination is to want it all done, packed away and cleared instantly. Which is impossible because there are simply so many of the damn boxes – everywhere I look.

So, I’ve had to force myself to take it easy. Step by step. Box by box. Tackle a few boxes per day and gradually the landscape of our new house begins to change into a home.

It’s also important whatever task you’re facing to make time for the good things in life. I’ve forced myself out to walk by the river on a daily basis, where I can appreciate the sheer splendour of the trees, valleys and mountains that surround me.

I’ve made time away from the unpacking and homebuilding to visit the Brecon County Show set in such peaceful surroundings you don’t want to leave the place. Lunch in a marquee, ice cream, lemonade, abundance of animals, demonstrations and people innocently enjoying themselves.

The Brecon Jazz festival was another event that lured me away from the boxes. Music in every venue, refreshments, stalls. Sheer pleasure.

Then I can return and focus on the job in hand in a revitalised manner. It takes as long as it takes. I refuse to worry myself with the millions of things that need to be done. Easy Does It.

There is no point in worrying about the past or the future. Being critical of others only hurts me and narrows my mind and well-being. I ask myself can I do anything positive about this situation I’m festering about, or this resentment I’m nurturing. If the answer is no, then I choose to let it go. Drop it and dump it in the bin.

Mindfulness meditation, quiet contemplation, inner reflection- all of this help me to calm down, obsess less, and remind me that I will find the strength to manage whatever comes my way. If I find time each day for these activities, then I reclaim that place of inner peace and serenity that fill my energy tank.

Easy Does It means that we don’t have to do everything at once or grab at every opportunity. We can say ‘No’ to things that we don’t want to do or are simply not ready to do. We can trust our instinct. We intuitively know what is best for us. It’s just that we don’t always follow through on that one.

If you’re not sure, then give yourself time before you commit to something. Write out the pros and cons and consider your options carefully.

I used to worry that if I didn’t push myself all the time, I would turn into a sloth and nothing would be achieved. Being hard on ourselves only makes our lives unmanageable. We often accomplish less by running around at full pelt. The tortoise or the hare approach.

We can be gentle with ourselves, slow down and lighten up. We can enjoy the day regardless of what we achieve.  

If our plans hit a snag, we can give ourselves the time to reassess the situation, step back for a moment rather than rush ahead with haste and impatience.

Easy Does It. A wonderful approach to life that can be a valuable source of sanity. One that I need to remember on a daily basis.

Author of ‘Wearing Red- One Woman’s Journey to Sanity’

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