The Joy of Doing Something Instead of Nothing or Everything
Sometimes the bare minimum is the most you can do - and that's okay!
Being an adult is hard and hectic. And even though society is embracing things like self-care and resting, it can still be hard to enjoy time off when it feels like you’re slacking off. But the enduring test of life is to find balance. So in honour of that, here’s my recommendation for progressing when you need a goddamn break: do the bare minimum.
Change does not have to be an immense and sudden effort. You can meet in the middle between you and the ultimate objective.
Don’t feel like running 10kms today? Do 1km.
Said you were going to clean the whole house, but lost your will? Then just clear off one surface.
Trying to read more, but can’t focus? Then just pledge to read a single page every day.
Failure is demoralizing. I’ve shifted my perspective to be okay with some effort instead of focusing on my inability to do the bigger task, and I recommend everyone do the same. It’s not only kinder to yourself, but it also turns your small effort into a win, which is much more motivating and better for your mental health. Starting with a smaller effort is also less daunting, so it’s easier to start. Also, sometimes the momentum builds, and you’re able to accomplish more than you initially set out to.
I’m someone driven by the need to accomplish. I’m also someone who can sometimes experience near-debilitating PMS-induced depression. When you already feel like shit, not accomplishing anything makes the feeling worse. I’ve found it very helpful to make super easy-to-do lists. Things like “brush the cat” or “wipe bathroom mirror”. Sometimes I’ll only brush the cat and/or wipe the bathroom mirror. Sometimes I’ll build off of the momentum and also cut the cat’s nails and/or clean the whole bathroom. More is great, but I’ve learned to find reverence in the bare minimum.
