filling my bucket

Day 18 of the Slice of Life challenge.

I love, love, LOVE my job, it is true.  There is, however, one little issue I noticed right away.  My office is open.  OPEN.  O.P.E.N.  It is very much like a drive-through window with no actual window--just a large gaping hole.  I mean, it is a pretty office---and very large--and I am a HUGE believer in being out and about with the students for the bulk of the day rather than being tucked away and unreachable. 

With all that said, the issue is that I am never really able to have a break.  It is far more healthy to pack a lunch, but often I find that leaving campus for my allotted 30 minutes is the only opportunity I have for a quick respite from the day. I don't know about you, but I need this time to recharge in order to be there for the afternoon as fully as I am in the mornings.  If I'm in my office you can pretty much guarantee I have a few students in there, and probably a few at my "drive-through window", as well. 

 I am not complaining--just stating facts.  The greater good that has come from this is I have been forced to finally consider how to get better at filling my bucket.  I read this post  from More Books Than Time and thought about how so many of us struggle with filling our buckets in the busyness of our lives spent caretaking for others. 

I've made some life changes that seem to be helping.  

1. Okay, so I don't often fangirl, but I am a huge Outlander fan (longtime fan of the book series by Diana Gabaldon), so when an opportunity came to join an Outlander facebook fan group page getting on board the Bear Sports My Peak Challenge, I jumped.  My Peak Challenge was really working on learning not to eat my emotions and to get moving. It helps being part of a community with similar goals, with all of us cheering one another on. 

2. I bought a Fitbit.  I am super conscious of getting in my steps now. I knew I wasn't moving enough, but now I KNOW know. 

3. I am a HUGE believer in Epsom Salt baths.  When I'm stressed after a long day,  nothing seems to relax me as much as putting on a lovely candle or incense stick and soaking in a hot bath filled with Dr. Teal's Eucalyptus Spearmint Epsom Salts. I just feel amazingly relaxed when I get out.

4. Water.  Water. I drink lots of water in addition to my morning coffee (which, by the way, is not going away!)

5.  I'm making a concerted effort in taking care of my skin for the first time ever.  I'll be 45 next month--I think it's time! My mom even surprised me with an early birthday present--a gift of a Clarisonic Mia---it is charging now (24 hours before the first use---ack!  I should have taken it out of the box sooner!) but I can't wait to use it.  

6.  I'm spring cleaning some over this spring break.  Let's be clear... despite being a librarian, home organization does not come easy for me.  Book organization, yes; home organization, no.  I just have too much stuff (another thing I'm working on)compared to the space available.  I am sentimental and I like my things.  I KNOW from experience I feel better when I have less chaos around me, so it is worth it to me to spend some time on this project. It will not happen overnight, but it WILL happen one bite at a time.

7.  I am making time for daily habits that I enjoy like writing, too.  Journaling, reflection time, quiet morning moments with my coffee. All of these have their place.

8.  Mostly I am trying to remember that perfection isn't possible and to cut myself a break. 

Remember to fill YOUR bucket, too.  Life has plenty of hard, folks. Fill your bucket so you can fill the bucket of those you love.

Sonja