How this new year actually launched me into something amazing.

The Start

In January, I knew something needed to change. I was already feeling burnt out and the year had only begun. There must be something more to life than doing the same tasks day-in and day-out, and still somehow ending up with even more to-dos before getting to bed. My brain was craving connection and diversity in activities again, completion from my rolling to-do list, and I was restless and overwhelmed.

So as I’m prone to do, I started doing a lot of reading and watching videos on personal development and self-help for growth, and here are the 5 things I shifted that gave me back my energy.

1. Scheduling Life Admin Days

You know those tasks that take time and effort, but often get sidelined for more urgent matters? Things that you know would make life easier or help you feel better, but they’re not “important enough” to immediately further the rest of the world? For me these are the tasks like “buy new glasses frames” or “drop off donation box” or “rotate mattress”. I set aside a day once a month or every other month to tackle all the items that I’ve put in this category. It’s amazing how many of them get done in the life admin day, because then I don’t feel guilty for not working on other tasks, because I’ve been doing the other tasks regularly.

2. Bare Minimum versus Ideal Task Lists

I feel like my energy levels have fluctuated more this year than every year prior. Then again, maybe it’s because I’ve been actually taking my health and wellness seriously and now my body is more communicative with my brain saying “I’m hyped!” versus “I’m exhausted” versus “I’m overstimulated” versus “I’m restless”. This makes it challenging to complete my to-do list, especially knowing how I have an internal standard on what actually qualifies as “good and done”. However, creating two forms of the same to-do list has given me an opportunity to be self-compassionate without having to think so actively about it. On one page, I write down everything I’d like to get done and what the best-quality and ideal result would look like, by my standards. On the other page, I write down the bare minimum that actually needs to get done–for the sake of it being done even if it’s not shiny and buffed. For example–cleaning my bathroom. I like giving it a deep scrub, which is my ideal task list, but if I know I don’t have the capacity for it, I have an option to just scrub the toilet and wipe down the sink and handles. That way I know at least something got clean, particularly the dirtiest parts, and the other areas can be addressed when I have more energy next time.

3. Having More Conversations with Strangers

In this year, by starting this program, traveling, and networking, I’ve had to talk to a lot of new people. I always get nervous. Always. But it’s something that I need to do to further my business. After a few occasions of asking a stranger some form of an icebreaker question, I came to realize many people actually enjoy sharing about themselves or their interests, and these folks and their interests are fascinating! One of my favorites is when I’m on a flight just before we start taxiing or as we’re starting the final descent, I’ll ask my seat neighbor “is this your final destination?” or “are you going home or headed for vacation or work?” I’ve met a priest from New Zealand who is actually the Assistant General of the Order of St. Augustine in Rome. I met a lady from Chicago who loves talking about education that we ended up talking the entire 2.5 hour flight. I met a man who has traveled the globe helping companies with their IT softwares. I also met a father from Pennsylvania who wouldn’t stop glowing about his daughter getting into her dream university.

4. Doing one thing every day that’s out of my comfort zone

I’ve been comfortably uncomfortable for the past few years, that trying things that I actually enjoy that take effort is harder to initiate. So, I’ve tried to start my day doing something JUST outside of my comfort zone to set the tone and prime myself to “just do the thing” even if it’s slightly uncomfortable regarding choices I have to make the rest of the day. It started with doing a 10 minute cardio workout right out of bed, but I’m an upstairs apartment neighbor, and even with the no-jumping videos that are available on YouTube, I’m still so self-conscious of any potential noise I can make. I tried the cold shower, but it makes me more grumpy than feel like I conquered a challenge, so I modified it to be a “cool” shower, switching between my ideal temperature, and something that’s slightly colder than comfortable for 30 seconds (or however long I am willing to tolerate it). It’s enough to feel accomplished, but I don’t feel like I have to psych myself out and fool myself that it’ll feel good.

5. Doubling Down on My Passions

I was re-reminded how much I love learning and teaching and connecting concepts. I realized I was limited in the extent to which I could explore, so I did what I often do, and went out to learn a new skill. This time: entrepreneurship. I quit my full-time job cold turkey and through myself head-first into a journey that would both blow my world wide open and somehow at the same time dial it way in. As a result–I feel like I’m becoming more of me again–I’m curious and creative and courageous in ways I haven’t felt in a long time.