This is one of those posts where I feel like it’s the day after my last one and I got nothing done. Last week, I thought about trying to work on an additional skill, but I hardly even practice what I started. My biggest weakness as of late has been making time for the things I say I want, so I created a solution for that.
Fast Times in Quarantine
The last few weeks as a whole have been moving by really quick. I don’t know how much that has to do with the current COVID-19 quarantining, as my day to day life really hasn’t been impacted too much. I work from home and have few social obligations. Though, it’s definitely created an odd atmosphere to live in.
I think the biggest reason for this blur of time is the lack of clear milestones in a given period. Most, if not all, events are cancelled, and travel is limited, if not completely restricted. Each day that passes feels identical to the last, even on weekends. With nothing going on, time slips away quickly.
A Little Progress
On the bright side, I’ve found short windows here and there to practice. Whether I’m on the phone or going for a walk, I can take a few moments during another activity to practice. The card spring is especially easy to practice while occupied, as I have the deck near my desk. I can pick up the cards and just start shuffling them.
While not one of my stated skills, I’ve tried to keep up my yoga practice during this quarantine. Before the COVID-19 situation escalated, I actually found myself in a one-on-one class, due to the other students skipping. It was a great way to learn and ask questions. I really enjoyed the time for the class in particular, as each week is the same routine.
After the quarantine started, I fell off the habit, with the studio I go to closed. This week, I turned to the many online resources to get my fix. Watching some videos, the instruction helped me with a few poses that I didn’t even realize weren’t quite right. The online videos are certainly not to the caliber of my one-on-one, but a different way of explaining a pose has helped me to find it better.
Focus on the Future
Rather than regret the lack of progress in the days past, I’m shifting my focus forward. Recently, in an attempt to get a hold of my time, I’ve been trying to plan my entire day. It’s something I think I will officially trial soon and plan to write about even without a actual trial in place. Essentially, I’m creating a calendar for the day and plan to shift from one activity to the next in that time.
I started this practice because I wasn’t making the time for the things I want to. When I reflected on the days past, I couldn’t remember what I did in that time. In all likelihood, I probably laid around and watched online videos. Not bad one their own, but when I feel I’m not accomplishing anything, that’s where the problem lies.
Looking at my calendars so far, I have literally not made a single minute on any day for learning skills. What that makes clear to me is that this hasn’t been a priority. Because it’s my current trial, I’ve updated my calendars for the coming days to include that time. Admittedly, if it wasn’t for this trial, I’d likely push my focus on the projects that I’ve set time for.
Trying Out Before Buying In 