In the average American’s work day, we have two 15-minute breaks and one 30 minute lunch. This means we get one full hour to ourselves during normal daylight hours. Depressing? Yes. Could be worse? Totally.
It is so easy to sit at our desks all day or run around doing our jobs all day being stressed OUT. I’ve come home on numerous days and taken one look at my partner, Josh, and we see it in each others’ faces: I don’t even want to TALK anymore…I just want to sit and check out for a few hours. The day was too long and stressful and we spent the whole of it INSIDE. Two situations that are worst nightmares for us.
What would motivate me to actually take a break and try to do an adventure during my work day? I started this online workshop with the intention of helping women to take time out of their daily lives and seek adventure. The problem is, I haven’t really been doing this on a consistent basis. I’ve been a weekend warrior at best. Where’s the motivation? Where is the priority?
I’ll be honest: It didn’t really exist. There is already so much to do and it would take energy and I’d have to plan…and then go OUTSIDE and it’s COLD and then I’d have to hurry because I have to get back and punch in at that gawd-awful beeping punch machine and then I’d have to go back to WORK. Sad face.
Today, I finally did it. I built a mini-adventure into my day. Do you want to know what motivated me? This blog post. That’s right. I have had this as a draft post for three days now. It was just sitting there, waiting to be written. I had to write it. I had to “walk the walk” if I am sitting all up on the blogging horse “talking the talk” about how life adventures are important and we have to feel alive and we have to go out and DO stuff…so here it is. I did it. And it was AWESOME.
I took my two fifteen minute breaks and did a brisk walk around the property. It’s gorgeous. And I can smell snow.
Three things about myself that I reflected on:
1. I love where I live. I love the crisp air and the Adirondack mountains.
2. I am a total tree hugger. I was irritated that buildings and fences and walkways kept getting in the way of bushwhacking and picture taking. That’s right. I BUSHWHACKED in my work clothes. I felt like a renegade. I felt like I was breaking the rules and it felt GOOD.
3. I should totally take a walk outside every day. Scientifically, it helps your brain reset and gets your blood flowing. Personally, it helps me feel less bored and jittery sitting at the desk all day. I felt less trapped the rest of the afternoon.
Three places that helped me realize these things:
1. Bushwhacking down a hill on the backside of the property – in ballet flats and slacks.
2. Sitting in an Adirondack chair looking up at Mt. McKenzie.
3. Spotting a cairn on my walk back in to work. Whoosa.
Go on a daily adventure. Re-set your perspective and give yourself a few minutes to yourself.