It's the end of the quarter crunch at the college. We need to get the students ready for tests, grade the tests, do paperwork, input grades, etc. It always feels like I'll never get it done, but then suddenly it's all over and I'm on break.
Usually I go home between my two classes. I have a split shift and feel I need to go home and rest before my night class, but tonight I decided to stay at school. I went out to an early dinner with a colleague at a nearby restaurant. It was totally unplanned, but we were both hungry when we ran into each other in the teacher's room.
It was nice to slow down and catch up with her. It was completely an impromptu meeting. After our dinner date, I was going to go home, but there wasn't enough time so I stayed at the college.
I made all my copies for the final, got a snack at the coffee stand, graded a stack of papers, and now I'm taking a little rest.
I'm happy I stayed at school today and got some things done. It saved me gas and now I feel a bit more relaxed.
Lately I've been a last minute person. I wait and wait and then find I'm over my head with things to do. I'm trying to change that habit and slow down a bit, even during this crunch time at school. If I can somehow slow down during the busiest time of the quarter, then that's saying something!
Off I go to eat my veggies and close my eyes and nap for a little bit. It feels so nice to slow down and actually be ahead on things I need to do for once!
Do you ever feel like you are racing from one thing to the next? Do you ever take time to slow down even when you are extremely busy?
I tend to be a last minute person, too, and end up rushing to catch up. It really makes things hectic, and I don't do well with longterm hectic! Sometimes on a work day, I don't take lunch. I find that days that I do take lunch and go out with my husband for an hour, it helps to break up the day and probably makes me more productive in the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteI used to have that feeling of racing around all of the time. Now, after selling my business and my house and getting rid of excess stuff, I have to be careful that I don't relax too much.
ReplyDeleteHi Katherine, I enjoyed your post and it's nice to see you here! I do slow down when I have a lot to do and try to see windows where the unexpected leads me to new options in how to frame my day.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started writing my blog, I was living in the country in Puerto Rico. I worked as a professor, practiced yoga and raised my children. Now I'm living in the beach area near the city in PR, my children are in college and I'm a department director, which influences the way I spend my time. I share this information because a lot has changed in my life, too. I realize it's important to keep daily life in perspective so I don't get overwhelmed. I like the image above: "Slow Down." Well said!
I enjoy your blog and I've just ordered your book! I'm thrilled to see you accomplish some of your dreams.
Cynthia Pittmann