I hope you are riding the waves of life as well as you can these days. Watching the ocean, we are reminded that waves keep coming, sometimes they are big, sometimes they are small; it all depends on the ebb and flow, but what we know for sure is that they keep coming. It’s true for life as well. 

 

There’s no plain sailing. We have to ride the waves of moods (our own and others), the waves of emotions relating to events in our life and the world and the waves of what needs to be done. Definitely no plain sailing for anyone...

 

Almost every day I am grateful for my routines. Not only do they save my sanity but they also bring progress even when I don't feel like it. 

 

Sometimes, we don't know what letting go really means at a particular point in our life, but I believe that at any point, letting go of the idea of certainty is probably the wisest thing we can do.

 

When we let go of certainty, we can plan for uncertainty.

 

Very often, we ourselves are the main uncertainty: we don't feel like it, we are tired, we are overwhelmed, we are too busy, we feel under the weather. We have all sorts of reasons and excuses not to do what we mean to do.

 

My routines are my way to plan for these uncertainties. They happen regardless of how I feel. They bring a glimpse of certainty and they help me get things done.

 

On that note, have you been doing the challenge(s) that I invited you to start at the beginning of Lent?

 

In the end, I decided on three challenges: a daily workout first thing in the morning, publishing a daily blog post on Medium (started later) and keeping an eye on my bank account (this literally takes one minute is a good way to reconnect with my finances). So far, so good, and I haven't missed a day. I must say that the trackers I attached to my newsletter that day really helped. I printed three trackers in A5 and I keep them in my journal. As I journal every morning, I can't miss them. Putting my trainers by my bed has been a good reminder. I put them on as soon as I get up and then think, "well I may as well do my workout now" and so I put my outfit on (that I keep in a drawer in the bathroom). 

 

I don't allow myself any thought about how tired or stiff I feel (and any excuse I could find for myself), I just do it, but I must admit that some mornings, I genuinely forget that I do this workout and the trainers by my bed are a great reminder for my foggy (and ageing!) brain!

 

Have you done any personal challenges for Lent?

 

I have realised that 40 days was a great duration for a challenge or to form a new habit. It is long enough to make a difference but not too long that it feels undoable. I will print more trackers when needed. I'll get rid of the dates. Let me know if you are interested in one.

 

Take care, dear one! Ride these waves of uncertainty like a professional sailor!