Tag: setting boundaries

A Good Night’s Sleep

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That has been a mission of mine all year. What would it feel like to just drift off to sleep? It hasn’t happened since childhood.

Photo by Eirik Skarstein on Unsplash

I’ve been working from home for almost 10 years, but this year there are more people than ever working from home. For me, it was by choice, so I could home-school my daughter, and generate income. It’s been a huge blessing for us, but maybe you’re wondering if it’s a blessing, or a curse.

One of the most important things you can do for you and your family is get a good night’s sleep. Trust me on this.

I dedicated the entire month of August to finding a good night’s sleep. It began by looking at what I was doing presently because obviously that was not working! Each person is unique and maybe you think you’ve tried everything to fall asleep. Stop trying.

The body knows how to drift off to asleep.

SIMPLE HABIT/MINDFUL SLEEP, BY OREN JAY SOFER

Little by little I began taking things away that came naturally to me. Working late at night was an interesting find. That was first to go and the hardest to resist. Just last-night a notification came in on my phone from a coworker with a question. I could feel her frantic vibe and my reflex pattern was to help.

​My first mistake was reading the email at 10:30 pm, because I could feel my mind click over to work mode. I paused and reminded myself of past experiences. There is nothing work related happening at night that cannot wait till the next day and given a bit of time, it’ll probably sort itself out.

Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash

Turning the phone to silent, I laid it face down on the table and walked away. Working from home doesn’t mean work takes up residence in the home. Set a time to stop working, and refuse to look if any comes in, so the brain has time to relax. Our bodies know when it’s time for sleep, but do we?

Thank you for spending time here today. There’s more to unfold of my journey to a good night’s sleep.

Here’s the rest of the mini-series.

Part 2: Know Your Flow

Part 3: Mama Knew Best

Part 4: One More Minute

Part 5: Set the Stage

Weekends Are Sacred

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My weekend begins at 5:01 PM on Friday’s. That is when my phone shuts down until Monday.

I have two jobs as a Virtual Assistant and one is on the weekends, but I’ve had that job for 7 years. It began as my way of staying home with my daughter and making a living after leaving my marriage. It’s been reliable in that sense, but I had to set boundaries.

My first thought this morning was, “Life is not hard. Life is what we make it.” I woke up tired. It’s been a busy few weeks. It was ever so pleasing to know it’s Friday.

My daughter walks by my room and tells me, “I love your bedroom.”

I catch her standing in the doorway staring at it. Since the redo beginning with Under the Bed, it has the feeling of a retreat. When you work from home, you need a room like that. When I walk into my room, I leave work behind.

table

I’m sitting in the middle of my bed and here’s what my bedside table reveals.

Two out of three Hydrangea blooms that have been with me all week. A small Voluspa candle, because I couldn’t decide what scent I liked best to buy a big one. A large Voluspa candle is a commitment. My favorite ink pen and a water bottle for the weekend.

Someone asked me what I was doing this weekend and I said, “As little as possible.”

My weekends are sacred.