2016 - Zen and Me

As this is my last post of the year I thought I would share some photos from a walk I took with the dogs a couple of weeks ago.  We went to Shatton and walked along the river to Offerton Hall and back.  Long term readers will recognize this as one of my favourite walks.  It was crisp, sunny and beautiful.

I could have turned back at this point but it was too lovely so we walked on to the stepping stones.

I'm glad we weren't crossing here as the stepping stones looked a bit slippy!

Instead we turned right up the big hill for a long slog nearly to the top. The view to the right is of Hathersage and the moors beyond.

Then we turn back towards Bamford and see Bamford Edge and Win Hill ahead.

A happy piggy at Offerton Hall.  Such piercing eyes.

So, what of the Zen??  I have been thinking about this over the last few weeks.  I noticed that wearing the Fitbit is changing more than just my eating or exercise habits but my whole approach to life.  It started with parking further away from my destination to pack more steps in and taking the stairs when I could take the lift instead.  It led to being more deliberate at work and around the house.  Instead of multi-tasking and combining trips around the office or house I am doing one task at a time and, if that means I walk further, then that is a good thing.

This means that I'm accomplishing more as I finish more jobs off.  Which has given me a sense of satisfaction and also a feeling of having more control in my life.  This in turn is helping me tackle chores and tasks which I otherwise might have put off because, you know, success breeds success.

So, in work, not only have I completed lots of jobs recently, I have also properly finished off  the files, including the post completion admin which I often "leave for later", ie. never.  This is (obviously) more efficient but it is also a more satisfying way of working.  I'm doing the same at home too which is probably the only reason we managed to finish the bedroom before Christmas!

I've also noticed that when I'm driving I'm much calmer and less stressy.  I wasn't a particularly stressy driver before but now I'm just taking things steady.  I went to the supermarket this morning and parked in the quiet corner of the car park avoiding the manic rushing people desperately trying to find a space next to the front door.  One guy had even crammed his giant 4x4 into a space which wasn't a space over the zebra crossing. Why?  There were loads of spaces just 30 yards away??

In the shop I was much the same.  I realised at the checkout that I had forgotten a couple of things but rather than lugging my shopping round to pick up the last few items I just took my first shop to the car and then went back for the stragglers.  It was very relaxing.

I'm assuming that you grown up types have already learned this important life lesson but, for me, it is better to have learned it at 47 than not at all!

So, along with my desire to keep on stepping and logging my calories, I'm going to add an aspiration to hold onto this relaxed, thoughtful and deliberate attitude towards all aspects of my life.  I hope it will help me stay in control at work as next year is going to be a bit of a nightmare.  My colleague has just left but is not being replaced immediately so the pressure is going to be piling on me in spadefuls.  It is not my fault though so I am determined to retain my work/life balance and hopefully the new Zen me will be able to cope well with the challenge.

I hope you all find (or hold onto) whatever will help you make the absolute most of 2017.  Have a great year!