I’ve been meditating daily since January 5th, 2019, but yesterday I broke the streak. I’m aware from my use of an app that there might have been a few times I missed my meditation, but I count a meditation after midnight as being on the day before, because it’s still part of my day, and I’ve done that a few times in the past year. Yesterday was an unusually low day for me, and I completely forgot to meditate.
I woke up tired and went to join a friend for breakfast rather than starting my day with my regular routine. After a wonderful breakfast I came home and did nothing other than talk to my dad, eat lunch with my family, and sleep until dinner. I changed to go work out, but never made it. I wrote my Daily-Ink just before dinner sitting on the couch, and after dinner I flaked out on the same couch.
It’s the first Saturday (or any day) in a while that I’ve done so little. I give myself permission to have a low energy day. But I also need to get back to my routines. Yesterday was the first time ever that I didn’t earn a single sticker on my healthy living motivation chart. But as I shared in my year-end reflection of my healthy living goals:
The best time to start a new streak is RIGHT NOW.
Yesterday, I missed my meditation. I skipped my workout for the second day in a row (for the first time this year). And although I did my writing, I didn’t do my reading (audiobook), and this was missed for the first time this year. I also missed my time restricted eating window with my breakfast meeting, but I don’t usually try to do this on weekends anyway.
Today, after hitting publish on this post, I’m headed to meditate and work out, while listening to an audiobook. I might get a second workout and meditation in today as well. I’m not going to overdo it, but I might start my new streak with a bit of an exclamation point.
Permitting myself to have a day like yesterday doesn’t mean I have a new low point to measure myself against. It doesn’t have to give me permission to fall to this kind of low again anytime soon. It was simply a low day, and the inspiration to start a new, long streak. And that streak begins right now!
Sorry typo..meant *make a plan…
I learned an action oriented sentence from a professor who was kind enough to share his personal wisdom in addition to his lesson plan he delivered…
I recall and still actively apply…DIN.
That stands for “Do It Now”…regardless of situation or external influences…and of course, only if it reflects quick and simple action…DIN if you can…I was generally a maje a plan, create a list, be efficient type… and that still has significant value. DIN for me makes me more timely more helpful and I actually have more time to pause and reflect when deeper planning is warranted. Hi to all. Well said David! Really appreciate reading your daily-ink! I’m sure your family, A&D, and Papa B are proud of you in so many ways including these reflective words you share. I am proudly your unofficial fan club president.
L
Greetings Lee,
You might have to arm wrestle my mom for the #1 Fan spot:)
On a serious note, having you just using the word ‘fan’ is truly an honour for me!
I’m currently listening to
‘Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time’. Our teachers are looking into applying this strategy with students and we will model it with our own team. This plus the book ‘Atomic Habits’ has me rethinking my effectiveness in getting things done (in a good way, I’m not beating myself up for past inefficiencies).
Thanks as always for reading my Daily-Ink, and for taking the time to comment!