I know I said every #Monday I'd be sharing a new blog post, but let's face it we are the living representation of Groundhog Day and I never know what day it is!
RAISE YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR IF YOU'RE FEELING OVERWHELMED!
I know I am. 60 Days I've been unemployed, and staying home. Rarely do I have "pressing" things to do, maybe once a week I have to send an "important" email, or someone asked me to do something for them and I hold that more significant than a self-mandated task. Other than that I've created projects for myself. TBH, too many.
So far in Quarantine I've gone through 3 phases.
Phase 1:
Coming home from tour, re-adjusting to life in one place, LOTS OF STREAMING TV (to the point now that I really struggle to watch because I had digested more content than ever in my first weeks in #quarantine), and the beginning of creating "productive" projects for myself.
Phase 2:
I don't want to do anything so I'm not going to do it.
And finally I have entered...
Drumroll Please...
Phase 3:
THE ANXIETY PHASE. Now, mind you, I've always had anxiety, I operate with high functioning anxiety. But this is different. I'm a forward mover, I'm always thinking about the next project, or how I can move myself into something new. And since the start of COVID-19 the most forward movement I've had besides the occasional walk or grocery shop is from my bed to the fridge and back to my bed. Lately, I get so overwhelmed by my to-do list that I either cry or completely shut down.
BUT THIS WEEK I'VE HAD A BREAKTHROUGH!!! DID YOU HEAR?! DID YOU HEAR?! (also said in the hit song "The Rumor" from Fiddler on the Roof) A BREAKTHROUGH.
One of my favorite college professors used to tell us to rehearse our scenes 20 minutes a day. Which was manageable and 7 days a week it made an impact. So when I started to get overwhelmed last week, I set my timer for 20 minutes. I said "it's only 20 minutes." And not only did I totally ZONE IN, and accomplish baby projects, but I also wanted to work on it longer.
I thought to myself... "Hmm I wonder where he got 20 minutes?" AND THEN I LEARNED (through my good, good friend #google) IT HAS A NAME.
THE POMODORO METHOD.
Here is how it works:
Choose a task to be accomplished.
Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer, the method was developed by an entrepreneur who used a tomato shaped timer to track his work as a student.)
Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break
IT WORKS. And even works with something like "oh I'll read my book for 25 minutes." 20 or 25 is better than none! Even in #quarantine if you're trying to push yourself to think outside the box, or brainstorm new ideas set 25 minutes a day aside and channel The Thinker.
I can't wait to see what you all accomplish.
Set a fun ringtone and try the Pomodoro Method with me!
Let's make the most of this unexpected #timeoff, stay home, and thank our essential workers! We would be nothing with out you!
LMK how it goes!
xx
Ruthy
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