Organise your Time – Hetty

Self-Isolation 2 – Day 14

April 18, 2020April 18, 2020
by Hetty

Keeping up the productivity.

We have been in self isolation for two weeks now (4 April, 2020), because of the Covid-19 virus spreading over the world.

The time goes faster than I could have imagined.

I go to bed early, about 9.30 pm. Sleep well, wake up when it is still dark, sleep again. Then usually around 7 I start thinking about what I am going to do with the day.

Somehow I can only do 10 percent of what I thought I was going to do. It seems the mornings are increasingly short. Where I started of to be able do work 3 hours in the garden, do yoga, as well as take a walk and clean something in the house, lately I only potter around in the garden for an hour and go for a walk and then it is lunch time. I admit I got up an hour later then in the first days of the lockdown.

Anyway it does not really matter as I am enjoying what I do and that is very important. I am practising to be aware of the enjoyment I feel during the day.

During the day I check the list in my head of what I think I should spend time on doing, and what I missed so far in the day. This list looks like doing one thing in each of the following areas: garden, house-work, self-care, reading/ learning, creating, cooking, exercise, connect with people.

Check your plan halfway the day.

After lunch I want to spend time doing creative activities. With the aim of doing something creative, use my creativity, make something. because I enjoy creating. Creating is healthy, it is expressing yourself.

I started of with a focus on photography by doing an online photography course. And after I realised I had been avoiding writing, I took up writing again.

I am really happy that I restarted writing. It is good for my brain trying to express my experiences into writing and using my English writing skills. Also writing makes me read, as I always run into a question and then I go and do research. Reading makes me learn things and broaden my vision. It makes me feel alive. It makes me feel good.

Check your list again in the afternoon.

Right now, at the moment I am writing this, going through that list I check what I haven’t done , but was planning to do today:

Self-care activity – I will do a meditation as I can’t think of anything else of body care I need.
House-work – Wait! That is not true, I cleaned the fridge!
Create – I will make a card for a message I just found back in my notes.

Those things I can do before the news as it is now 4.11 pm.

At 6 pm the news, I will do some yoga exercises as well while listening. Then we will have dinner, I will tidy up.
Reading – I found a book in one of my boxes I might start tonight, or listen to some Ted-talks.
And at 8.30 I will be longing for my bed but will stick it out till 9.30.

Be inspired, but beware..

I keep myself very busy and it feels good. Now you might be inspired to set goals and run through the day like me. But beware…Don’t get exhausted like I did.

Self-Isolation 1 – Day 10

April 16, 2020April 20, 2020
by Hetty

A sort of a holiday.

Self-isolation, or a sort of holiday. That is what it feels like 31 March 2020. Or, on other days I expect it is going to be boring, no work, no meeting other people. Sleep in every day. Do all those things I had never time for. No excuses anymore..

Routine, that is what I need in this self isolation. A kick in the butt to get up, put the devices away and make the best use of this newly given time at home.
It takes a few days to think of activities that are useful and give variety in my days. Now I am on a roll!

This is what I tell myself having to do every day:
Get up at 7
Work in the garden for at least an hour.
Do yoga or other exercises. I’ve got quite a arsenal for home exercising now. Every day I take a walk close to home. Zumba, skipping (the rope), squats during the news.
Read at least an hour.
Clean something in the house.
Cook something.
Self care
Put on normal clothes. That means presentable, this is not my favorite sports tenue.
I also have to brush my hair and wear a piece of jewelry. I should be ready to receive guests at any moment of the day.
Do something creative. My favourite at the moment is learning about iPhone Photography.
Eat healthily.
Meditate.
Call somebody.

Every day I skip some or do a minimal version of one of those items.

What is the result of this regime?
Nothing got done. Of course I did heaps of healthy and useful things but mean none of my ‘big’ projects that I am exited about got any attention. I feel disappointed that I did such a bad job while I have this great opportunity.
I am still not painting or drawing. I am not working on my website. I am not writing (except for now).

The expert advice is not to be too hard on yourself. I am doing well then. I am feeling happy, healthy. I am not lonely. I have chatted or called most of my friends. I am enjoying Greg’s company.

So far, day 10 now, it has been good. What if it happens to become three months though. 90 days will really give me the opportunity to get painting, drawing and writing a whole blog, without making me feel guilty about not helping society by doing more useful things.

After 10 days of skillfully avoiding my long set creative goals I might need to have an honest look at my priorities.
‘Do Something Creative’ is not specific enough.

But wait, don’t be too harsh on yourself they say.

Only choose a few goals so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Category: Organise your Time