How to get it together

Unsolicited advice from an unqualified busy person

I wanted to write something last week but, mannnnn. Remember that Tetris Google calendar situation I mentioned? Still stuck in that mode right now.

This is what my week looks like:

I call it… abstract.

Is this normal?

This was supposed to be a chill week. 🙃

I don’t know how people do all the things they need to do in a day. I can barely find the time to get to the yoga stu or read a book I really wanna read or get at least seven hours of sleep.

Sometimes after meetings and managing and overseeing and giving notes and listening and reviewing and taking in all these inputs and giving lots of output… I barely have time to do the thing I would like to do most:

Create.

Write.

Just sit and, idk… THINK!

Where did all my free time go?

Le sigh.

I’m trying my best.

For the most part, no matter how tough it gets, at the end of every week I’m kind of impressed at how much I do get done, whether for work, life, or just plain old me.

I just need to take a step back and remind myself to chill and get it together.

Enjoy the process. Take a break.

Easier said than done, of course.

I tend to overthink and get stuck in the details and get overwhelmed and all of that. Stress is just a daily part of life. It’s gotten to the point where I am actively looking into supplements to help destress and lower cortisol levels (lol).

But while I wait to find the perfect (probably placebo) brain-chiller that hopefully doubles as a hair/skin/nails enhancer (after talking to my doc ofc), I’ve managed to sort of figure out my own little ways to destress and take a break.

I think I’m Type A but I’m also pretty chill, for the most part. So, yeah, I have my ways of coping with stress, taking breaks, and keeping it together.

These are not perfect by any means but they’ve helped me get through and find some peace and sanity amid the chaos of the day to day.

Figured I’d share in case they are helpful.

In no particular order, here are some ways that help me destress and/or get my isht together:

• Creating a schedule and sticking to it as much as humanly possible.

• Being OK and kind to myself if I can’t stick to that schedule. Adjust things accordingly.

• Therapy. Lol.

• Sleep. I am trying for 7 hours. Not always easy but when I get it, it’s good.

• Starting my day as early as possible. I would love to be a 4am person. I’m more of a 5-6am. If I stay up late, I wake up later, lest I want to be a braindead zombie. (Refer to bullet point above re: sleep goals.)

• Writing first thing in the morning.

• Be OK if the thing I write is literally just a word.

• Exercise second thing in the morning.

• Focus mode.

• Running. Mostly for the meditative part but the cardio benefits are good too. For context: I used to smoke and was allergic to sports. There was a time I could barely run a few minutes without losing my breath. But after I picked this up several years ago, I’ve been able to hit the pavement. I used to run more regularly, not so much anymore. I am not a marathoner or 10ker, but I’ll do a random 2-5k here and there and feel like a million bucks. I really should just run more.

• Closing my laptop and going for a walk.

• Turning my work computer off for the weekend. (And just turning a computer off every now and then, I am told, is a good thing, electronically speaking.)

• Going outside.

• Letting go. Literally, figuratively.

• Asking for help is the hardest thing for me to do. But I rarely regret it when I do.

• Seeing art IRL.

• Reading. Preferably for fun and not work. Definitely off a screen though a Kindle will do. My brain feels refreshed and I really do feel somewhat creatively rejuvenated when I read.

• Food — whether that is making, consuming, or even watching videos about.

• Watching a movie. TV shows are great for a quick buzz but there is nothing like a good movie to put on, get lost in, and get cozy with. On the couch catching an old favorite is comforting. A new one in a theater is lovely too.

This isn’t an exhaustive list. And, yes, I left out the mind-numbing effects of scrolling on social media and the fleeting rush of retail therapy or a good drink. Those are fun but I think I’m at the age where I know there are better — and cheaper or just plain free — ways to cope.

I’m actually curious to know if there’s anything here that you do or if you have recommendations on how to destress and/or get your isht together?

Maybe it’s as simple as just shutting this computer down and going outside.

But if you have any other tips and tricks, drop me a reply and let me know what works for you.

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Recs for the week:

• Speaking of old faves… 🚨🚨🚨 Miss Congeniality is on Netflix. 🚨🚨🚨 Yes, some jokes don’t quite land the same but I’ll be damned if I can’t enjoy this cinematic masterpiece starring Sandy Bullock as a rough and tough FBI agent who goes undercover in a beauty pageant in order to catch a terrorist.

• Bullitt. I have been meaning to check out this SF classic for awhile and it did not disappoint. The famous car chase through the streets of the city had me howling. They really do not make movies like this anymore. Held my attention more than any new streaming movie, sorry not sorry. Steve McQueen is a legend.

• Slamdance is in LA this year. Hitting up some screenings and excited to see some weird, wild things. Send recs for filmmakers or films to watch out for. (Also are there any other interesting LA film festivals coming up? Besides Slam, I’ve heard about this so far. I think it’s dope these niche festivals are popping up in LA. This city needs a more vibrant and cool, less industry film scene.)

• Also hitting up Frieze LA. On the lookout for new art/artists to check out.

• Oh and I finished All Fours and it was great. Nice to see her get the deal she wanted. Will be on the lookout for this series because I could totally see it on the page. Steamy!