Rhythms

A different take on the concept that our lives are not linear: our lives are actually filled with repetition. Again, it’s shocking that it’s shocking. When our lives are set in these repeating rhythms- sunrise, sunset, month to month, season to season, why is it so surprising that our own lives might also be cyclical? 

I’ve previously talked about my existential crisis, and my need to change my pace. Pretty casual stuff really. I mentioned that I anchored myself in the pace of the seasons and well, this is a step further. It’s based on my own observation that everything we do, we always have to do it again and again. Like eating, drinking, sleeping, working out, we’re never done doing them. I believe that there are things our hearts also need over and over again but we never prioritize them. I’ve narrowed it down to these five big things: encouragement, friendship, recharge, exercise, and closing the month.

I have too many thoughts on all of these, but today I want to talk about closing the month. This month is winding down, and we’re about to tumble into April unceremoniously. In an effort to live more intentionally, I try to close out my month the way I would close a shift. The way I think of it is to separate March Sierra from April Sierra. April Sierra is coming, and I want her to feel welcomed in. March Sierra made a bit of a mess, and so I pretend I run an AirBnb and a new guest is coming. She needs fresh, clean laundry and the trash taken out. I take the time to refresh my spaces, do all the boring maintenance things life requires. Not to say I don’t do chores any other time, but I put a little effort in at the end of the month. 

So when I wake up in April, I’ll feel taken care of. I’ll feel like all I need to do is enjoy the new month. When you take time in your day to set your future-self up for success, you build trust in the innermost parts of you. You’ll feel safer and less chaotic. Listen, truthfully I am not the type to take initiative. I do things when I feel like it. But I’ll say, that doing hard things so that future Sierra won’t have to have it hanging over her head, that gets it done. All those stressors that you’ve been avoiding, for the sake of future you, attack them knowing future you won’t have it over their head. 

I got a solid cleaning song for you: Sunrise by Fulton Lee. Get that broom mic, open those windows, and make it fun! As someone who recently found out they work great on a deadline, my hack is to invite a friend over for dinner so that you don’t get lost in the dance moves.