Morning recitations. Class. Note passing. Recess. Breaks. Nap time. Homework. Dinner. Phone time and nightly t.v. shows. This was the life I was given as a child; someone always planning my day, giving me tasks and checking on my whereabouts and what-about’s. If I take a ride back to the way things used to be I would request more naps, and a lot more play time. What about you?
Do you ever wish you could take a magic carpet ride back to when you were younger? What would you want to experience? Where would you go and what would you want to do more of?
As a grown-up I think I really underestimated the value of naps as a child. I took them—in school, at the babysitter’s, even at home when I was bored. Now, I consider them a necessary must for optimal functioning. Archivist and abolitionist, Tricia Hersey, who founded The Nap Ministry online has been my go-to this past year for reminders on the importance of resting and napping. I’ve already begun to integrate this form of what she calls “reparations” into my work and lifestyle. If you work with me outside of coaching, or follow me on social media, you may have heard me tout the benefits of slowing down and recovering from “doing too much.” Though, I very much believe in the benefits of rest, sleep and relaxation, I don’t believe I practiced it enough before the pandemic began. I surely didn’t get enough rest during the height of it.
As someone, who like many of you, grew up in an evolving, fast-paced, capitalistic society, I oftentimes was doing something with my waking hours. And when I wasn’t doing something, I was thinking about what I wanted to do or needed to do. That way of life became the one that helped me reshape my relationships and grow my small business, but one in which also made me reconsider, as I am nowadays, how to work less hard, but strategically and with more prosperity. You know, as “the prosperity life coach” if I can transform my thinking and being into a lifestyle practice that benefits me, my team and those I care about around me, then surely I’m going to share the knowledge with my Village so you can learn how to replicate some of these personal action steps, too. So, here’s a few things on my small 2021 list of “to-do’s”:
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- I am going to continue taking naps as regularly as possible. A good 20-30 minute nap makes me a happier and more focused person and professional, too. (I strongly encourage no longer than that amount of time so you can feel motivated again to get up and not lose nighttime sleep.)
- I’m going to incorporate more play-which for starters includes me taking out my adult coloring book more often and creating beautiful artwork, and maybe get into painting one day, too. We’ll see. Playtime can be cultivated in a host of different ways (painting, collaging, sculpting)
- I’m also going to indulge in strengthening and expanding my Darija—that’s the native Arabic language of my home country, Morocco.
- I’m also going to find new ways to move my body at least 30-minutes a day, so considering buying a collapsible glider or an elliptical machine. If you have any recommendations, please send them my way!
- I am going to continue taking naps as regularly as possible. A good 20-30 minute nap makes me a happier and more focused person and professional, too. (I strongly encourage no longer than that amount of time so you can feel motivated again to get up and not lose nighttime sleep.)
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I know that may not seem like a lot, but that’s the point. I have an even shorter list for work that I’m focused on too—the goal is smarter, and wider reach, not harder or stressful. Some of these goals will require me to spend time offline reading, planning and executing ideas, while the other goals are about self-accountability and commitment to my well-being. Because when I’m well and focused, everything around me prospers.
As the little girl in me reaches out to the little girl or boy in you, I ask, are you ready to play? Nap? Make new friends? And become more alive in your life?
*This blog is about becoming free. It’s a reflection of introspective thoughts and experiences that have crossed miles of self-discovery. I created this blog to inspire others to live life with less self-criticism, judgment and openness to new experiences. May you find that you learn how to live a life by design and on your own terms!*