For those of you who've read my work before I talk frequently about how to get yourself, your home, your business and your life better organized.
But it's summer and I want you to take a step back, breathe, and PLAY more.
"Ha!", is what you're saying right now, isn't it? I recently finished reading "Overwhelmed" by Brigid Schulte.
This 286 page book was chock full of research, world studies, surveys and expert interviews regarding time pressure and modern life for (mostly) women.
It helps explore why so many women today, be they stay-at-home, part-time or full-time working moms feel there is "never enough time", that they cannot get a grip on their days, that they are one place physically but someplace else mentally, ticking off what needs doing next, never having time to do what she wants after taking care of everything else.
And as far as our attitude towards personal leisure time, "women feel they have to earn it first by getting to the end of the to-do list.
" Sound familiar? She devotes one section of the book to Play.
Yes Play! Women just don't play, or at least not very often.
Schulte refers to the following fact: "Leisure time for women, studies have found, often just means more work.
Women are typically the ones who plan, organize, pack, execute, delegate and clean up after outings, holidays, vacations, and family events.
" Researchers have also found that "women tend to feel responsible for making sure everyone else is enjoying the leisure activity and so are constantly taking the emotional temperatures of all involved.
" OK that's not very fun or relaxing is it? But there's a reason why play is hard for women and history tells the tale.
I absolutely loved this part of the book and have to share.
Here is what women's leisure has looked like through the ages: "In the Middle Ages sure there were festivals, holy days, and celebrations, but who do you think cooked the feast? Throughout history, the ladies who lunch, the women with time on their hands, were part of the wealthy elite.
Their 'forced idleness' came as not a conscious choice but rather an unconscious conspicuous display of the high social status of either a husband, father, or some male relative.
If time is power, her free time showed his power.
And women without status had pots and pans to scrub.
" OMG!!! So this summer let's take back some leisure time.
Research has shown that play "is what enables humans to create, improvise, imagine, innovate, learn, solve problems, be smart, open, curious, resilient, and happy!" And lack of play results in "rigidity, addiction, workaholism, diminished curiosity, and depression.
" Wow! Play also reminds you of your better self.
I know, sometime you're so tired TV seems like the easiest option.
But if you're up for something more, a big part of play involves stepping outside your comfort zone, trying something new, something totally different, that when doing it your mind becomes completely engaged in the moment.
Think back to when you were a child.
What did you love doing? What did you do that made you feel so happy you couldn't wait to do it and once you started, didn't want it to stop? Did you love the water, painting, singing, dancing, skiing.
Is there something you've always wanted to try but fear of embarrassment has stopped you? Do it! This is about getting out of your head and into your soul.
Even if only for a short time, I guarantee you will be happy you did.
But it's summer and I want you to take a step back, breathe, and PLAY more.
"Ha!", is what you're saying right now, isn't it? I recently finished reading "Overwhelmed" by Brigid Schulte.
This 286 page book was chock full of research, world studies, surveys and expert interviews regarding time pressure and modern life for (mostly) women.
It helps explore why so many women today, be they stay-at-home, part-time or full-time working moms feel there is "never enough time", that they cannot get a grip on their days, that they are one place physically but someplace else mentally, ticking off what needs doing next, never having time to do what she wants after taking care of everything else.
And as far as our attitude towards personal leisure time, "women feel they have to earn it first by getting to the end of the to-do list.
" Sound familiar? She devotes one section of the book to Play.
Yes Play! Women just don't play, or at least not very often.
Schulte refers to the following fact: "Leisure time for women, studies have found, often just means more work.
Women are typically the ones who plan, organize, pack, execute, delegate and clean up after outings, holidays, vacations, and family events.
" Researchers have also found that "women tend to feel responsible for making sure everyone else is enjoying the leisure activity and so are constantly taking the emotional temperatures of all involved.
" OK that's not very fun or relaxing is it? But there's a reason why play is hard for women and history tells the tale.
I absolutely loved this part of the book and have to share.
Here is what women's leisure has looked like through the ages: "In the Middle Ages sure there were festivals, holy days, and celebrations, but who do you think cooked the feast? Throughout history, the ladies who lunch, the women with time on their hands, were part of the wealthy elite.
Their 'forced idleness' came as not a conscious choice but rather an unconscious conspicuous display of the high social status of either a husband, father, or some male relative.
If time is power, her free time showed his power.
And women without status had pots and pans to scrub.
" OMG!!! So this summer let's take back some leisure time.
Research has shown that play "is what enables humans to create, improvise, imagine, innovate, learn, solve problems, be smart, open, curious, resilient, and happy!" And lack of play results in "rigidity, addiction, workaholism, diminished curiosity, and depression.
" Wow! Play also reminds you of your better self.
I know, sometime you're so tired TV seems like the easiest option.
But if you're up for something more, a big part of play involves stepping outside your comfort zone, trying something new, something totally different, that when doing it your mind becomes completely engaged in the moment.
Think back to when you were a child.
What did you love doing? What did you do that made you feel so happy you couldn't wait to do it and once you started, didn't want it to stop? Did you love the water, painting, singing, dancing, skiing.
Is there something you've always wanted to try but fear of embarrassment has stopped you? Do it! This is about getting out of your head and into your soul.
Even if only for a short time, I guarantee you will be happy you did.
SHARE
