Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action – Peter Drucker
Every quarter, I follow Emily P. Freeman’s practice of reflection. It was only in the last few years that I realized how much I learn about myself through reflection. As an avid journaler, I might have known this about myself earlier, but it took me a long time to form the internal sentence and have it stick.
It’s important to me to take time to reflect on what I’m learning about myself and the world. So, without further ado, here’s a few things I’ve learned this summer.
Floss is made of plastic
I’m not quite sure how I didn’t know this – I mean, what else could it be made of? {An episode of How I Met Your Mother comes to mind – anyone else have gaps in their knowledge everyone else takes for granted?]
On a recent trip to Hamamatsu to scout out nesting sea turtles, I was shocked by how much trash was on the beach. Since then, I’ve become more aware of my plastic consumption and have been taking steps (slowly) to reduce my effect on the world. This week’s change – trying out floss made from silk.
My public presence slows way down when I’m working through stuff in life
During our miscarriage last year, I took a few months off, leaving social media and the blog pretty quiet. This year, the months of July and August have been slow, too. It’s hard for me to find words to share when I’m wading through big thoughts in my head (which, lately, seems to be often). You might be wondering what I’m thinking about these days. Well…
I’ve been doing some soul searching
COVID, and the subsequent time at home, has given me lots of space for some serious inner work. I’ve been examining the basis for many things in my life – everything from my attitudes about working out to the unrecognized expectations I had around marriage/adult life. I’m taking the time to learn and notice some of my habits and default reactions, and digging deep to figure out why I do the things I do.
I’m using some tools, like the Enneagram, to help put words to things I see in myself. Yoga and daily exercise are teaching me to show up for myself, even when I don’t want to, and the importance of regular maintenance on ourselves. I’ve also been taking stock of my writing habits – paying attention to when writing is hard and when it’s easy – and why that might be. I’m practicing naming fear and anxiety when I see it, then encouraging it to move on its way.
Names for baby animals
This summer, thanks to the back of a frosted mini-wheats box, I learned a baby platypus is called a puggle, and a baby crocodile is called a hatchling. #triviaready
The joys of owning a dutch oven
In another life, I think I was an Italian nonna. I imagine myself chopping away at basil, simmering pots on the stove, fresh bread in the oven. I’ve wanted a dutch oven practically forever, but the price tag (and, honestly, the heft of the empty pot) scared me away. In reality, I’m a mediocre cook at best, and I tend to follow recipes to the letter. Such a luxurious purchase didn’t seem to fit my overall cooking vibe.
One of our post-quarantine outings included a trip to an outdoor mall. It was serendipitous that the Le Creuset outlet was having a sale. My wallet was lighter, but my hands held a beautiful teal colored enameled dutch oven and two stoneware bowls. This pot is among my favorite kitchen purchases ever, and I can’t believe it took me so long to do the thing.
I’ve learned a bunch of small things
I’ve learned how to change my windshield wipers, and I posted my first Instagram story. Plus, safe to eat cookie dough tastes like freedom and doesn’t make my stomach hurt. Also, that dinosaurs got cancer.
And some more significant things
Things that I thought I’ve already learned, but it turns out, maybe I need a refresher – like you can’t be everything for everyone, and routine [really] matters to me.
My journal preference is changing
Somewhere in college or just after, I switched from journals with lined pages to ones with blank pages. I didn’t like feeling restricted and after years bending to the rigidity of schooling, relished the ability to write diagonally or sideways if I wanted. I would often fill the page with doodles and words, seemingly against my follow-the-rules personality. (Let’s be real, if there are lines on the page, I have to follow them). But lately, I’ve been craving structure and find myself drawn to journals with lined pages. I’ve bought 5 or 6 journals in the past six months, all with lines. What could this mean? (really, probably nothing. But also, maybe something).
Well, friends, there we have it. Some big and not-so-big things I’ve been learning this summer. What about you? Do you have a practice of looking back before moving forward?
What have you learned during this summer season?
