Week 49. The Basics

In the hustle and bustle of life in general, that usually tends to intensify for the last few weeks before the change of our calendar year. Sometimes it’s good to get back to basics, simplify and get a fresh perspective on things that troubles us while we’re neck deep in them. Arguably, simple things like a nap, 20 minutes of uninterrupted silence, resting our thoughts on a sheet of paper and letting it fade into the category of “matters that no longer bother us”, a rally filling and satisfying meal, and other usually laughably simple things can give unmatched results when we’re overstimulated, tired and scattered all over the place. Taking care of ourselves seems so obvious but in day-to-day and endless tasks we do for others this area might get a bit neglected so life can seem much harder, irritable or unbearable than it really is when we’re rested, well nourished and nurtured. On the same note, nourishing, especially in the darkest and loneliest months of the year also means having meaningful connections with other people. I know, as we spend more and more time in front of screens, some of us work from home, we don’t get as much human connection as we used to some odd 15-20 year ago (cheers to the ancient ones around here, alongside me) just by being at work, at a gym, a club (there are lots of other clubs than that you’ve just thought about), a coffee house, a library or any other places that people gathered to communicate, spend time together, not to isolate with attention and noise cancelling gadgets we’re armed with today. What would happen if this December we would have one meaningful conversation with another human being? This could be a close member of our circle, a person who makes our coffee at the local coffee place or a complete stranger while waiting in the queue at the Christmas market, on a bus or while getting groceries. While we’re on some challenge to minimize processed foods, sugar, alcohol or any other way of purifying ourselves before the holiday season, why don’t we challenge ourselves to have one genuine and empathetic human connection before this Christmas (more if your heart desires but the point here is to prove ourselves that it’s doable and not that hard as it might seem) and see how it feels for us and for the other person. Who knows, maybe something this simple can make this holiday season much more bearable and heartwarming. Or at least less lonely.

Have a week of basics covered.