Simplify

Simplify, cool concept but really how do we do that??  So the week as been hectic and crazy, mainly because I did not keep my eye on this concept.  An over tired 2 1/2 year old, a busy husband, hectic work, changes in schedules, friends moving away for 2 years (we will miss you guys) and Christmas does not lend itself to simplification. 

So where do I start.  I have talked before about staying present in the moment, and saying no more often but how do I say no when there are so many demands? That was my main issue late last week and over the weekend.  I can say no to clients when their requests are unreasonable, and yet their requests have not been unreasonable.  There are some things that I just have to accept. My teaching at Plymouth is over for the semester (well almost, still grading), so although that has left an opening my schedule, I know have to be careful about over extending myself because "I have the time."

So as I say to my clients live in the moment, mindfully AND cope ahead. I need to have a plan.  Which day will I come in early, when will I say late and what will I say no to?  At a training I went to not that long ago, a therapist said that she does not work evenings.  She decided it was too much for her and she was not going to do it anymore and she has now adjusted as have her patients.  This made me think, what were my limits, what boundaries have I not been putting in place because "I have to bend over backwards for clients."

So my plan for every day (not just a New Years resolution) is to simply, take the hectic, chaotic and overwhelming and replace it with self care, and serenity, time with family and friends and letting go of others beliefs that I should behave in a certain way (overly accommodating) because I am a social worker.  After all if you are coming to see me for therapy, don't you want to know that you therapist has at least some of it figured out???

So let's try keeping it simple, sharing love, taking care of ourselves and taking time out of the chaotic to enjoy the beauty in the world.  That's my plan and I hope you join me.

Namaste