You know those days when you just feel like you need to step away to put everything into perspective?
Today was that day.
I don’t take lunch breaks on a daily basis, instead normally doing the unhealthy thing and multi-tasking through my meal. Therefore, late this afternoon when I needed a few minutes away from my desk, I felt very little guilt just stepping away. I know that it’s better for me to take a 30 minute break than push through when I’m just in a stressed out mode.
Let me tell you. That 3 mile run was the most amazing stress relief and made this month’s membership to Equinox all that much more worth it since I was able to hop on a treadmill, just one block from my office, and pound out a very fast 3 mile run while listening to Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Then, a few hours later, while enjoying my grilled chicken sandwich delivered to my front door compliments of Seamless Web, I read a blog post that just hit home. Sometimes we can only do so much. Maybe you’ll sleep through the alarm for 2 entire hours. Maybe you’ll feel like an idiot because your face is peeling all day and you know your co-workers think that you either have really bad dandruff or just don’t know how to properly apply aloe. Maybe you packed your lunch and left it on the kicthen counter, so the cheese stick, Chobani, and salad could all go bad. Maybe your in-laws are coming to visit tomorrow and the house is a mess. Even if all those things happened to you in one day, as they did me, you still woke up and conquered the day. Sometimes, that in itself is enough.
Not everyday in a city is filled with sunshine. Nor does each day come with it’s own pair of rose colored glasses. But, at the end of the day, I’ve found after years of trying to be perfect that it’s far better to focus on the attitude with which you tackle the day. I’ve also learned that having a dear co-worker with whom you can vent is invaluable. Having a family member or friend who is 100% unrelated to work is also valuable. Knowing when to say no is never easy and sometimes the hardest thing to say. At the same time, sometimes following through with a commitment you’ve made is also the hardest thing to do but you will feel 100% better after you do it.
And, hopefully, if my hand doesn’t hit the snooze button ten times tomorrow, I’ll remember how wonderful a long run in Central Park before work can feel.
Check back in tomorrow for a fun giveaway that will come in handy for long summer days!
It is ALL about our perspective! I was having one of those days too. It started out okay, but as I made my way to the chiropractor, only to get turned away (LONG story!), I was so frustrated I was on the verge of tears. I went to work early and was CRABBY and having a really hard time separating my frustration from my (lack of) appointment and the frustration from “where my life currently stands.” The good thing was, I KNEW I was trying to bring the two together and really was working hard to SEPARATE the two as they ARE different. It’s all about the perspective.
Yes – I definitely was in the same place today with the same kind of day. Keep on keepin on!
This is a great topic to blog about. 🙂 It reminds me of what my yoga teacher brings up a lot, that we need to spend more effort being content with where we are in the moment, because we’re right where we need to be. If you spend too much time focusing on things that didn’t go right or things that are out of your control, you’ll probably be unhappy, ultimately. It sounds like your runch was exactly what you needed.
Love. Also, my face is peeling too.
Couldn’t agree more! Perspective is everything when times get a bit tough. Happy Friday!
Just made my whole week. So true that perspective can change everything. Thanks for posting!
I definitely needed this post today! Sometimes you just have to pull away and take a breather. You can only do so much.
Come on. You still try to be perfect. Instead of talking about a skipped workout or a crappy long run at a slow pace, you just pretend they don’t happen. Discussing this stuff on your blog would actually make you seem human and in fact show that life in a city is not sunshine and rainbows and unicorns.
“Not everyday in a city is filled with sunshine. Nor does each day come with it’s own pair of rose colored glasses. But, at the end of the day, I’ve found after years of trying to be perfect that it’s far better to focus on the attitude with which you tackle the day. “- TRUTH!!! Thank you for this.
This is a great post! I left my lunch at home today too, in the tupperware on the kitchentable. But at least I made it to a BodyPump class at lunch!