Stress and I are close acquaintances. Unfortunately, we usually get close after the fact, in the form of colds, depression like feelings, exhaustion, and unexplained weeping in public places. This in between time has offered new insight into the post-stressful job fallout: utter decomposition (ok, to be fair, not in the psychotic break sort of way, but in the can’t do anything I could do yesterday über sensitive sort of way).

I think there is a too much point. And frustratingly, that means doing less, which is a crappy anecdote to the “can’t do enough” feeling. In fact, it usually doesn’t even feel like an option. But, cutting things out, so we can do a few things well, is the territory of adulthood that doesn’t get talked about much. Especially when you’re from the breed that thinks she should be ale to do anything and everything if she tries. And, usually can, albeit, at the expense of her own well-being. You know who you are.

What I really think is that you are asking a question that we will be dealing with for the rest of our lives. Precisely because we want for so much – meaningful work that benefits others, personal growth, partnership, children, close friendship, health, lots of exercise, FUN, all while being grounded, warm, funny, informed, authentic, honest, open, mindful. This is so beautiful. And this is a tall effing order.

I think we could write about our evolving relationship to our aspirations on a daily basis and it would be of great benefit because there is so much to learn. Here is my thought for today. Your life is full. There isn’t anything that can be changed right now- and you are a bad ass of all badasses to be in grad school and working for time. Bows to you. So, how can you make a little more time for YOU to do nothing in the middle of it all?

Every time you find your face in your hands at your desk, push your chair back, take a deep breath and give yourself a minute. Literally, 60 seconds, to breathe, get out of your to do list, into your body, and into the moment. Our brains are so amazing. They literally start pumping different feel good chemicals immediately. Offer yourself other brief spaces of total attention to your breath – yourself -when the phone rings, take a full conscious deep breath before you answer.

Sometimes, part of our problem is that we look for big answers to these life long questions. We gotta start small- literally in brief windows of time.