By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times
It’s fun to step away from the usual for a while and kick your heels up, but, inherently, we are creatures of habit and feel more centered when we have a routine.
What have you set aside? What do you have to take off the back burner and fire it up again?
Labor Day, 2018, is behind us and although we still have two weeks remaining of the summer, our minds are drifting towards an extra blanket on our beds, crispy air, sweaters, falling leaves, football, all things pumpkin and getting back to a regular schedule.
In contemplating how to answer the questions I listed above, how does it make you feel? Thinking about getting back on track can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Of course, how long it takes you, largely depends on how off the beaten path you were.
Instead of being overwhelmed, think of all the joy that comes with getting back to a routine. The thought of reconnecting with friends in your bowling league, day or night classes and/or any of your upcoming fall activities can boost your energy and create excitement. Thinking about catching up and sharing what you’ve been up to during the summer can be exhilarating!
Here are some ways to get yourself on track quicker and stay on track.
- Fill your calendar, with every class, appointment, get-together, meeting and family event, for the rest of the year, as you currently know it. Don’t leave anything out.
- Keep your calendar in a prominent place so that you can refer to it and review it on a weekly basis. It is suggested that Sunday is the best day of the week for this. Make sure you adjust your calendar with any changes to your schedule, so as not to double book or overbook yourself. It’s important not to overlook this point.
- Make sure you include yourself in your calendar. Scheduling “me time” is essential. We so often overbook ourselves and leave NO time for us. This time can be whatever you want it to be, from soaking in the tub, to taking a nap, to finishing that book, to writing that letter or making that call, so long overdue.
Fall, here we come! Whether we like the cold weather that’s coming or not, we have to admit that living in Chester County is one of the most beautiful areas where we celebrate the brilliance of each season.
Whether you welcome getting back to a regular schedule or would rather live like you’re perpetually on summer break, in the words of Kenneth Branagh, “Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.”
Whatever getting back on track means for you, just do it with GUSTO!!
