Focus On What Matters Most
“The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” ”
Last year looked completely different than other years in so many ways. It’s probably safe to say that for many, 2020 was the quintessential balance of blessings and dumpster fire.
I’ve had my share of highs and lows peppered throughout the year. For me, getting through 2020 amidst COVID’s asphyxiating cloak was often challenging, frustrating, overwhelming, and sometimes, lonely. There’s also been good. I’m grateful for the chance it’s given me to slow down, deepen personal connections, and deftly prioritize what matters most to me.
Like some of you, I stumbled through the year, anxiously hoping for the curve to flatten, businesses to reopen, kids to return to school, and any sense of normalcy that our communities had prior to COVID’s outbreak. Once fire season got underway, there was more stress to manage. We juggled smoke, evacuations, power shut-offs, and an overwhelming bombardment of Nixle alerts — as many fellow Sonoma County residents have learned to skillfully master since 2017.
Then, I got the news.
A small spot on my nose had morphed into skin cancer and needed to be removed. Its footprint was larger than expected beneath the skin, and two surgeries later, surgeons carefully removed the tumor and rebuilt a quarter-size portion of my nose with cartilage from my ear, and skin from my cheek. I’ve had several debridement procedures following the surgeries, with more scheduled on the horizon. Healing has been slow and painful.
Things changed for me after that.
During my healing journey, I realized that I cannot control some outside influences — like cancer, COVID and fires. I can, however, control my attitude, how I perceive what’s happening around me, and my response.
What can we do to stay emotionally and physically fit? How can we better manage our response to adversity, stress, and other challenges that we cannot control?
I’ve found that there are a few key habits which, for me, help keep me emotionally and physically healthy so I can respond to outside influences and challenges with strength, courage, and resiliency. Here are three simple things I do every single day that help keep me on track:
Drink water first thing in the morning. Besides offering a myriad of health benefits that help boost metabolism, improve concentration, and flush toxins, water offers a multitude of healing properties to help us focus, fight infection, and support weight loss. After drinking two 12-ounce glasses of tepid water first thing every morning for the past three months, I feel energized and hydrated. If you despise the taste of water on its own, try adding a few pieces of fruit (like orange wedges, blueberries or cucumber slices) or a squeeze of lemon juice to jazz up the flavor.
Connect with others. Over the years I’ve been fairly good about connecting with people, especially with close friends and family. Since the pandemic, however, I’ve intentionally reached out to at least one person each day. Sometimes it’s a family member, and other times it’s a friend that I haven’t connected with for quite a while. There’s a host of psychological reasons why connecting with other humans strengthens our mind, body and spirit psyche. For me, connecting with my support squad just feels good. During 2020 we’ve replaced face-to-face interaction with FaceTime, Zoom, video engagement, and group chats to ignite some good, old fashioned, pee-in-your pants belly laughing. If you’re introverted, and connecting with people causes more stress than sustenance, do something else that elevates your soul.
Make a list. A self-proclaimed connoisseur of lists, I’ve made them, created them, and lived by them for years. If it’s not written down, it doesn’t get done! By the end of the day, write your list of the top things (like 3-5 things) you want to do the next day. Keep your lists short and sweet. I always know what I’m planning to do that day the moment I wake up. Lists help me stay focused and motivated. When I’m able to cross things off my to-do list, I feel productive — and let’s be honest — feeling good throughout sheltering-in-place helped me stay positive, happy and confident (well, most of the time). Maybe creating lists isn’t your cup of tea and that’s ok. I challenge you to start small and write one thing down on your to-do list. Then, give it time and watch how accomplishing one thing a day can change your attitude for the better!
Doing these three things every day helped me get through 2020. Some days I did much more, but never less. Your daily habits or routines may look different than mine. Whether you live by paradigms or principals, incorporating simple habits into your daily life can lead to a profound sense of personal accomplishment, fulfillment and joy.
“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
With 2021 officially rolling now, I’m ready to move forward in the New Year with the hopes of bringing into focus on what matters most. For me, I want to emerge more empathetic, patient, and intentional. It’s the simple things that help keep us moving forward.
What are your intentions? Are there any key activities or habits that bring you happiness?
Catrina Dierke, M.B.A.
Certified Fitness Instructor