TIME (MIND) MANAGEMENT on the MAT
No matter your age, occupation, or status in life, it’s safe to assume you’ve probably
had that feeling of “there’s not enough hours in the day.” Time management is
something that is ever-changing and evolving with our circumstances and though it’s not something that can truly be mastered, a healthy relationship to it can be cultivated.
By prioritizing, slowing down, and making space for ourselves, (I know, it seems
counterintuitive) we can begin to feel easier in relation to time and efficiency.
A really wonderful way to make space for ourselves is to build and commit to a morning routine; whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour, adding a bit of time to get quiet and do what feels good for US before opening up to the outside world is incredibly powerful. You could meditate, journal, drink coffee, make a nourishing meal, listen to a podcast, or anything else, but the point is that you’re cultivating something for you. This sets the tone for your day and tells the universe you’re giving to yourself to be able to give more fully to others and allows you to show up, do the work, and feel a lot less hectic in your attempts to check things off your to-do list.
Setting ourselves up for success in the morning also allows us to tune in and listen to
what we need not only in the moment, but continuously throughout the day. When
we’re aligned with what feels right for us, we are better able to take care of ourselves through making conscious food choices; we can discern what sounds good, what would make us feel best, and what would give us the most nourishment to tackle the tasks at hand and through the day. When we choose to partner with our bodies and listen to them rather than try to fight them or dismiss them, we can continue to make space to best fuel ourselves and manage everything in a more effective way. Everything is connected and each decision we make affects our reaction and perception of our circumstances.
THE WAY YOU DO ONE THING IS THE WAY YOU DO EVERYTHING
Though time-management, morning routines, and food choices may seem independent of each other, they are deeply interconnected. Without making space for ourselves, we are unable to consciously move through our day and make positive choices for our bodies and minds. When we fail to listen to our bodies and properly nourish ourselves, our work quality and efficiency falters. In short, the way you do one thing is the way you do everything and putting yourself first allows you to achieve greater success in managing your time and taking care of yourself.
-Hannah Chapman, YS Student Advisor & Blogger