[#write31days] Day 16 Green

These last two weeks have been extremely busy for me. Getting up way too early in the morning, running around all day, falling into bed at night, totally exhausted. My work is not physically heavy, yet it takes a lot of energy. Assignments to hand in, lessons to plan, talks with students, meetings with colleagues…there’s not much time left and a casual date with a friend suddenly becomes a big deal.

Isn’t life crazy sometimes?
These weeks when we feel it has ropes tied around us and pulls from all sides at the same time?
We can’t help but feel torn.
And incredibly overwhelmed.
In doubt that we can do it all, that we will ever manage, that we are good enough.

When we are trapped in this ‘prison of busyness’ we need to get out.
No, I don’t mean leave everything behind. Often we can’t change all at once.
But little breaks here and there.
An hour where work is not allowed to bother us.
A nap in the middle of the day to refresh us.
A book that will direct our thoughts to another world.

A walk in the woods, leaving the confinements of our own four walls and experiencing the vast beauty of nature. Breaking out of our small headspace to discover there’s so much more. Exchanging the dull gray colors of our daily lives for a whole array of green, yellow, and orange. Woods in the fall are magnificent!
Whenever I take a walk there, things suddenly fall into place.
I look at the trees and they seem to be telling me, “Don’t worry about today or tomorrow. We have been here long before yesterday, we’ve seen it all. And yet we are still here. And so will you.”
Taking a break doesn’t have to be much.
Just do something to expand your view and redirect your focus to the really important things from time to time.

Author: Katha von Dessien

Teacher. Believer in the Wilderness. Third Culture Kid. World Traveler. People and Food at the Table Lover. Writer. View all posts by Katha von Dessien