I didn’t go to the grocery/convenient store in Rishikesh today. I have enough food in my room to make it a few days and found out the store is open 7-10 in the mornings so no need to go each day. Also, I was feeling kind of blah when I woke up.
It’s been two official days of isolation and I’ve already begun to feel a bit worthless. I consider this a good thing. In times past it would have taken much longer for me to get to this point. It is a sign that something needs to change.
What I’ve realized is despite my daily practices of meditation x2, exercise x2, and writing xX, there is still a large amount of downtime. And because I’ve been doing these activities for so long as a means to ground myself in a shifting and transient lifestyle, they’ve become a staple almost on par with brushing my teeth or taking a shower. They are simply things I do without too much thought or encouragement (although some days they need a bit more of both just like the morning self-maintenance routines). These practices give me great joy in doing them as they are pillars for my day and the experience to be had. They are, to use corporate speak, “table stakes” for the day but by themselves do not make up the whole of my days.
I read a quote — “Discipline is a form of self care.”
This resonated with me at the time I read it as I find it to be a key component of my overall internal motivation. Because at a time when I could sleep the entire day away and still be “doing my part,” I don’t want to. It’s not enough during my worst days and certainly not during my best.
As such, I am implementing more productive activities starting tomorrow, using today to get organized.
First, I will adhere to intermittent fasting which is limiting my eating time to a six hour window in the day. I’ve not cared for this much in the past, but after over two months of eating light (2-3 meals per day) simply due to my lifestyle, I’ve noticed the overall effects of increased energy and maintaining a lighter weight (currently around 87 kg). I’ve not seen any negative impact to my exercise which is always a measurement of any nutrition program.
Second, consistently adding intensity to my exercise so I avoid phoning it in which is an easy trap to fall into if I have two workouts scheduled for the day. The mind is a worthy combatant against discomfort after all. I’m thankful that over the years I’ve learned various training techniques that allow for a solid workout without the need of weights or equipment. Many of the top CrossFit athletes are hosting free home workouts that you can do with them on Instagram and they all regularly post their completed workout routines which often require little to no equipment, particularly now. A gym is still my preferred home for workouts, but not essential.
Third, it’s a good time to get back in the swing of my “To Do” list, designing and writing for my business as commerce is down worldwide. This is a ramp up period in the making.
I’ve also found out I am the only guest in the entire hotel. This may allow me some additional freedom with the closed restaurant’s seating area on the fifth floor and the open rooftop above. I’ve asked to speak to the owner today by phone to find out what’s allowed and what isn’t during this lockdown.
So, on to today’s reflections which go pretty far down the proverbial rabbit hole.
WRITING REFLECTIONS
In yesterday’s post, I quoted a friend who told me many years ago: “Use this time to do what you love.” She doesn’t remember saying this, but I certainly do.
The relevance of this sunk in even further when chatting with another friend last night who shared with me that the quarantine time has passed by so fast that she wants more of it. She has found value and meaning in these moments.
So if I had any advice worth a nugget (or gem as my friend Kia would say) it would be the same advice that was given to me:
Use this time.
Embrace the moment for what it is. Spend time with loved ones. Reach out to lost connections. Feel the sense of community and unity currently present in the world — not despite the isolation, but because of it.
Use this time.
There exists a unique opportunity now for clarity of what truly matters in life and in the greater world around us. The adversity and fear and disruption to normalcy can be a gift if we let it. It gives way to introspection and challenges our preconceived views, either solidifying them or shining a light along their cracked edges.
Use this time.
The noise and distraction have quieted and in the silence, there are answers. I could make a long list of things one can do to make this time meaningful, but it only matters if it means something to you. The powerful questions that frequent our social media newsfeeds apply now perhaps more so than in any previous moment.
- What would you do if you could not fail?
- What matters most if today was your last?
- Amidst the madness and chaos of the world, what do you stand for?
To limit my time down the rabbit hole, I will end with one of my all-time favorite quotes by George Eliot, a female writer who took a male pen name to fulfill her dream of being a published author.
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
Oh, and one more thing.
Use this time.