As a professional, I often discuss with my clients the importance of self-care, encouraging them to be a bit more selfish and take moments for themselves. However, the challenge lies in practicing these principles within our frantic and fast-paced lives, to which we are all somewhat beholden.
Play is a fundamental aspect of life, yet it rarely makes it onto our to-do lists. Lately, I’ve caught myself wondering if I should even indulge in playtime when I have so much going on. The textbook answer is a resounding yes, and my own experiences affirm this. Play often fuels productivity and unlocks creative solutions that are otherwise inaccessible when we refuse to pause and step away from work. Controversial as it may sound, I believe that we should allow ourselves to have a good time, at least on occasion.
In Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s book, “Flow,” he eloquently describes flow activities as those that enable us to be fully present and deeply engaged in the task at hand, where concentration is at its peak. I personally have a couple of go-to flow activities and encourage others to find theirs or explore activities they are already familiar with. For me, playing poker is one such activity, though I don’t always have the luxury of time to indulge. Nonetheless, when I can just sit with the game, enjoy the company of those around me, and shuffle chips, it becomes an extremely meditative and present-oriented experience. Bird photography is another flow activity for me (yes, I’ve reached the age where I embrace birding). There is something incredibly grounding about being in nature. While these particular activities may not appeal to everyone, it’s incredibly fulfilling to find ones that are best suited to each individual.
Rest and quiet are precious commodities that seem elusive in the hustle and bustle of our lives. Although we all experience periods of heightened busyness, I believe this relentless pace has become the default condition of modern life. I can’t help but feel a certain sadness in this relentless rhythm. To counteract it, I try to intentionally incorporate slowness into my schedule, whether it’s reading during a spare moment, savoring food instead of mindlessly eating while working, taking a pause in the middle of a task, or simply sitting and pondering without the constant distraction of my phone. The book “Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise” by Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz delves into the exploration of accessing and carving out moments of silence in today’s noisy world.
None of these suggestions are areas I have mastered by any means, and I want to emphasize that it’s not about feeling guilty or inadequate for not taking better care of ourselves. Such thoughts only reinforce a productivity mindset that ultimately undermines the point. Instead, consider this an invitation, whenever possible, to slow down and experiment with these ideas.