Are You Feeling Listless and Out of Sorts?
Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
Perhaps you need to make a list. A list of what you need to do today. A list of the theprojects that you have been putting off or at least a list of the little things that need doing before attacking those larger projects. Why a List? Because when you write things down it makes them real and then when you check things off the list it is that sweet feeling of knowing you are working towards something.
We all need a purpose and writing out a list gives focus and purpose to what was just a dream before writing it down. Why is it important to have a purpose? A purpose gives direction and focus. Without it a person can waste time and so become depressed. A purpose helps you get through the rough paths of life and also keeps depression at bay during dull or boring tasks.
Everyone's purpose is unique. It can be striving to become better at whatever is important to you. I work at being a better writer, an adequate artist, and try my best to create a beautiful garden. When my Dad retired, he strove for years to improve his golf game and actually got pretty good. Maybe you would like to become involved in the community to help others, or perhaps restore an old car. It doesn't matter what your project is, as long as it drives you and brings you fulfillment.
I have seen people retire or lose their job and sink into depression because they have not looked for a new purpose in their life. The death or serious illness of a loved one or the last child leaving home can totally up-end your life and force you to reassess your current direction in life. As we go through our life, one chapter closes and another opens and it is up to us to make the next life chapter as fulfilling as we can. This is very important to keep ourselves emotionally balanced.
What gives your life meaning? Why are you here? What should you do with the rest of your life? These are important and practical questions that we all ask ourselves at times. We all need a reason to wake up and go forward with our lives and to do so we all need a purpose. A purpose that will give us satisfaction or joy. Some people may want to make the world a better place while others are looking to bring beauty into the world. I find my greatest satisfaction in gardening, as watching my plants grow and bloom seems almost magical to me. We also have bird feeders and seeing the birds and the squirrel parade around our deck is just fun. I Have considered becoming a bird counter but that is something for another day.
There are so many different things that can give a life meaning. But this is your life, and only you can decide what new goal or old hobby will give your life purpose.
Remember that when there are big changes in your life or you are just feeing useless or untethered it may be time to sit down and brainstorm. Consider all the things you have started or thought about starting in the past. It is never too late to create something new. Then decide which ideas are reasonable and could be reachable before taking the first step to move forward with a new project. Start with a daily list but do not overwhelm yourself. If you are having a low energy day only do one or two of the items on the list. It is enough to get up, go outside for a short walk and work on something easy while planning a more ambitious day for later in the week. If you are having trouble working on your goals you may need to reassess them. Goals are only attainable if you enjoy working on them. A goal has to be something you really want to do, not just something you think you should do.
Well that is about all I have to say on this subject and I had better get back to my list and cross off "finish this article before the 10th of the month". Good luck to you with your projects and have a happy list making day. Be sure to add something fun to your list so as to be sure to have one thing to cross off at the end of the day. In any case do not have another listless day. Or a day without a list.
questions that we all ask ourselves at times. We all need a reason to wake up and go forward with our lives and to do so we all need a purpose. A purpose that will give us satisfaction or joy. Some people may want to make the world a better place while others are looking to bring beauty into the world. I find my greatest satisfaction in gardening, as watching my plants grow and bloom seems almost magical to me. We also have bird feeders and seeing the birds and the squirrel parade around our deck is just fun. I Have considered becoming a bird counter but that is something for another day.
There are so many different things that can give a life meaning. But this is your life, and only you can decide what new goal or old hobby will give your life purpose.
Remember that when there are big changes in your life or you are just feeing useless or untethered it may be time to sit down and brainstorm. Consider all the things you have started or thought about starting in the past. It is never too late to create something new.
Then decide which ideas are reasonable and could be reachable before taking the first step to move forward with a new project. Start with a daily list but do not overwhelm yourself. If you are having a low energy day only do one or two of the items on the list. It is enough to get up, go outside for a short walk and work on something easy while planning a more ambitious day for later in the week. If you are having trouble working on your goals you may need to reassess them. Goals are only attainable if you enjoy working on them. A goal has to be something you really want to do, not just something you think you should do.
Well that is about all I have to say on this subject and I had better get back to my list and cross off "finish this article before the 10th of the month". Good luck to you with your projects and have a happy list making day. Be sure to add something fun to your list so as to be sure to have one thing to cross off at the end of the day. In any case do not have another listless day. Or a day without a list.