resetting with rest + routines
because gettin your sh*t together is a journey, not a destination
October is one of my favorite months. Crisp air, amber and crimson leaves, cozy sweaters, and warm beverages; it is all so sensual and grounding. I long for autumn in the peak of sweltering summer heat when my social calendar and work obligations become relentless. This past summer, in particular, was a bit of a whirlwind. The Great Lockdown of 2020 resulted in a collective FOMO, a palpable shift in how much we engage with others IRL altered many of our thresholds for socializing and productivity. There did not seem to be a sense of easing back into things, instead, many of us went full steam ahead into reclaiming the parts of our lives we temporarily lost in 2020. As for me, I produced five projects, traveled to two countries, and attempted to be more outgoing than I'd typically be. By the end of September, I was burnt out and in need of deep recalibration. As the frenetic energy of the summer months began to reach a decrescendo, I took time to reflect on what needed to shift to protect my peace and maintain some semblance of balance.
It was time to hit the reset button on my life (word to my late great uncle Kevin) and as it turns out for me, the best way to reset is to get back to prioritizing my rest and routines. Last year, I edited a piece on UNPOPCULTR where I asked people about their ideal daily routine versus their slump day routine in quarantine. In reading these, I felt a deep sense of admiration, envy even, for people who seemed to be accomplishing more than I was on an ideal day for me on a slump day for them. Working on that piece was a catalyst in cultivating my own routine but also showed me where my limitations are as a person who deals with ADHD and anxiety.