“The older I get, the more I realize how much agency I have over my own time.”
These are questions I ask myself at the end or beginning of each monthly. I have also begun asking myself these questions, daily, weekly and mid year. As a way to hold space for myself, check in with myself and just reflect. Try them out and see if they work for you. Take what you need. Leave what you don’t.
1. AM I SPENDING MY TIME THE WAY I WANT TO?
My mind is always flooded with all of those things I must do. It can be overwhelming but I remind myself that I can do everything at my leisure. I do spend a majority of my time doing what I want and ALL OF MY TIME doing things the way I want.
2. HAVE I SET BOUNDARIES TO PROTECT THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF MY LIFE?
I continuously revisit the boundaries I set because there are moments they become blurred and I have to step back, reflect, and remind myself of the importance of my boundaries. This may require me to adjust, create and even remove boundaries to better fit what’s going on in my life.
3. ARE MY HABITS AND ROUTINES IN LINE WITH MY PRIORITIES?
My rituals, habits and routines are my top priority. Self care: reflection, self growth (reading and writing), meditation, exercising and writing.
4. HAVE I COMMUNICATED MY PRIORITIES TO THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO ME?
I keep those important to me informed of my priorities, but I am protective in how much I share so not to break my focus but also to limit overwhelming them with my thoughts and creative processes.
5. DO I HAVE A SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY AND PREVENT BURNOUT?
As soon as I read this question, I cringed. This used to be difficult for me. In the past, I wasn’t completely in tune or aware of when I was burning out. I would find myself angry at the world and exhausted. Now, I’m intentional about incorporating those things that serve me and removing those that don’t. One example, is when I take the beginning of every month (an entire week) to reflect on the previous month and plan for the current month.