GreyBruceKids_Summer2020

Most adults find themselves living a life of routine — dayto-day
and month-to-month, broken only by the change
of seasons.
We do the same things repeatedly, watching as they quickly
become habits. We continue to repeat those routines, because it’s
what we’ve always done. This works for a period of time. We are
happy without the extra pressure of having to think about where
we’re going, or what we’re doing each day. It is less stressful, for
some, when you know exactly what’s next. And you can plan
your life around that.
But what happens when you’re forced to step back — to pause
and see the routine for what feels like the first time, even though
you’ve been living it and consumed by it daily for years?
In the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been given a beautiful
moment to pause, breathe and to earnestly reflect on who we
are, who we want to be, what we want to contribute to the
world, where we spend our money and, most importantly, how
we spend our time.
Remember when you were a child, and you could spend hours
without a care in the world? In hindsight, it seems we went
around in states of utter joy and simple bliss. Do you remember
what you were doing? Do you remember the imagination and
the innovation you had to create something out of nothing and
get so lost in your own thoughts and play that you lost track of
time?
Do you still do those things, or have you lost sight of what used
to fill your days? When was the last time you simply sat with
your thoughts, with no distractions or entertainment?
Now, as adults, we often spend time watching television or
scrolling through social media feeds. We can tell ourselves it’s to
relax from a long day, to unwind, to take our mind off things or
to zone out. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good movie, or new
series on Netflix — there is nothing wrong with it once in a
while!
But there is a difference between zoning out to numb versus to
nourish. Zoning out to numb your thoughts is to get into a state
of distraction to avoid thinking about the things around you
and to avoid any stress or uncomfortable feelings.
Zoning out to nourish your thoughts is to get into a state of
distraction to move through and process your emotions — to
educate yourself, expand your mind and allow yourself to feel
the emotions of the day.
As adults, we often zone out because we’ve become so busy with
our day-to-day routine, that we rarely question if we are actually
enjoying it. We don’t step back and evaluate what’s working and
what’s not. We don’t take time to see what’s draining us or what’s
bringing us joy. We just move on repeat, checking things off the
to-do list.
When we feel unsettled, or dissatisfied in some aspect of
our lives, it’s easier to zone out to numb than to actually
acknowledge where something might be out of balance. If the
routine has been zoning out to forget about the day, or to pass
the time, then it can be hard to break that. It can be intense
emotional work, and slightly daunting if it’s been a while since
you have let your mind wander. But as a child, you did it
effortlessly.
You spent hours playing make believe, you played outside,
or you got your hands messy. You cried when you needed to
cry, you yelled when you needed to yell, you laughed without
looking to see if other people were laughing too. You danced
when you felt like dancing and you sang when your favourite
song came on. It was so easy then.
This was before society told us what we should and shouldn’t
do — how we should and shouldn’t react. The truth is, though,
you still know what you need to thrive. Your inner child knows
what makes your heart sing, and they know what brings you joy!
It’s easier than you might think to re-connect to this version of
yourself!
Time is the only currency
that truly matters, so spend
your time in a way that
brings you joy.