INK ZEN: Claiming Your Rhythm | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

INK ZEN: Claiming Your Rhythm

Sometimes, we just need to hit the reset button.

19
INK ZEN: Claiming Your Rhythm
telltale.com

There is so much waiting going on when we are in the midst of personal change. Our careers and our livelihoods depend on us finding a rhythm in which to live and work, and we feel the pressure of churning out good work consistently. Those of us who work on commission feel the added weight of client satisfaction, deadlines, and dividing the line between business and home life.

On the other hand, we sometimes wake up cold to a career stagnation, where business is at an all time low and we want nothing but to be busy and lively and successful. There is a middle path we must find in both scenarios, because being too busy and not busy enough are both not where we want to be. The middle path is a rhythm we must find if we have any hope of healthy growth.

Here are three quick steps to finding your middle path and feeling sane again:

1. Stop all work for one or more days, as soon as possible. You cannot recollect yourself if you are stuck in disorienting void of exhaustion or disappointment. So make the arrangements to take some personal time and use it appropriately.

Your first instinct will be to relax and do nothing all day, because we think relaxing is somehow an appropriate response to being upset. But when any machine or factory (you) is shut down for maintenance, it is maintenance that must be done.

2. Spend 10 minutes to an hour on your day off writing down all of the things that are frustrating you, stream-of-consciousness style. Just let it all pour out of you onto paper in a river of swear words and bile. Go crazy and illustrate your frustration in as many words as necessary.

All done? Immediately go outside and set your pieces of paper on fire. Literally sit down and burn them with a lighter, and sip a drink while you calmly watch your beautiful tantrum turn into absolutely nothing.

3. Liberating right? Now use this natural high to sit down and, for 10 minutes to an hour, write all about how you really envision your successful life. What are the day-to-day happenings in this perfect life? What are you thinking about as you prepare breakfast in this perfect life? How do you conduct business? What sort of earnings do you deserve? How much time do you have with family, the significant other, and the kids?

Keep writing until you've developed a solid image in your brain of how you'd like life to unfold in the near future. And when you're done, do not burn it. Put it under your smartphone on your nightstand. Read or skim it in the mornings. Realize that it is your new bible, and that you knew what you wanted all along.

Very soon, it usually takes about two days, the new vision you created will take over, and you will find a new rhythm. You will begin to grow and change, and you should simply step back and let it happen. This is your life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1160
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

706
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199834
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20647
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments