6 Ways to Fig it All for Now

It’s been a challenging year, and {insert your favorite minced oath here) you’ve been busy. You’ve been held hostage by a never-finished to-do list and, at times, you’ve been overwhelmed with worry and responsibilities.

Now the year is rapidly ebbing and there’s so much you meant to accomplish. How to make the best of the weeks left in 2023? Should you:

A. Declutter your office?

B. Get a jump on income taxes?

C. Organize your Dropbox?

D. Get some bids for dry rot repairs, exterior painting and installing an automatic gas shutoff?

E. Do all the above?

F. Do none of the above?

If you answered “F” you’re on the right track.  F is for Flick it All.

Unless there’s a compelling reason to begin a project now rather than later (leaking roof, eviction notice, etc.) consider taking a break from “doing and planning” and lean into “being and seeing what happens next.” After all, you’re truly exhausted from 11 months of being a good egg!

Here are a few ideas to honor yourself and synch with the season of turning inward:

A. Fashion a frivolous ritual. Light candles at breakfast. Serve ordinary tea in your nicest china. Play Astor Piazzolla tangos for dinner music.

B. Read in a corner. Let a place in your home beckon to you; add pillows. Sit down and peruse some poetry.

C. Sleep in. See how long you can allow yourself to stay in bed.

D. Make a big pot of classic soup: potato, minestrone, chicken noodle, lentil.

E. Do all of the above.

F. Do none of the above because Fig it All.

Or combine two or three ideas from the list above. The point is to pause, notice and be grateful for your home, your friends, and your family. Otherwise – honestly – what’s the point?

Photo credit: Mick Haupt