With my profession and my sport of choice being largely solo endeavors, I spend a lot of time by myself. It has it's benefits. I work at home so I have the freedom to create my own schedule. I have deadlines that I have to stick to, but for the most part I run my own show. My kids leave for school at 7am and don't return home until 3:30pm. Lots of time for writing, which is awesome.
I am also a triathlete. Triathlon is my main avocation, and I love it. It's a sport that challenges me, drives me and yet gives me serenity. Sounds crazy, I know but it's true. When I am in training mode, typical workouts of swimming, biking and running are done mainly on my own. It's really quite peaceful.
On my hour+ long bike rides I usually just settle in and pedal. As I've mentioned, I do a lot of brain blogging on my bike. I talk to myself a lot. Out loud. Same story when I'm running. The only difference with the run is, being a music fanatic (I'm addicted to Spotify) during the run I often just lose myself in music. In short, in all three elements I have a lot of time for quiet reflection.
See a pattern here?
When I spend too much time alone, I find myself getting a little itchy. Perhaps a tiny bit bitchy. I thought about it this afternoon, and other than book club Monday evening, my Cycle Studio ladies group workout/beat down Tuesday, grocery shopping at Target today, and evenings with the family (some of which I was working), I've spent the bulk of my time with me, myself and I this week. That's a long stretch of time. I feel a smidgen out of whack.
So I'm reining it in. Tomorrow is Friday, and I'm going to load up the day with people time. Starting with breakfast with the kids, the morning at the gym, lunch with friends, the evening chauffeuring the kids to their social engagements then find some time with my peeps. Re-acquaint myself with civilization.
I'm a city girl at heart. I love crowds, hustle and bustle. Being around people just makes me feel alive. Family and friends are the pulse of my life.
I also love the quiet serenity of an open lane in the pool, a long winding country road to ride and a peaceful trail on which to run. I am grateful that I am able to have solitude and to be able to do the work that I love. Be free to write when I want. In my last post, I talked about balance. Today I'm grateful for the blessing of having quiet Michelle time and a wonderful network of friends to join me in people time. That is balance I can most definitely appreciate.
Peace out,
Michelle
I think it’s nice to have time for quiet reflection, even when you are a people person. Those physical activities you do, such as cycling and swimming, are solo endeavors but so healthy and invigorating. Still, I can see how one can get a bit itchy (or bitchy!) with so much alone time. Happy Friday people time! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday People day to you!
DeleteHi, found you on Bloggy Moms! Very few people really achieve the kind of balance you write about. Often, we forget about that 'me time' that is so essential to our being. I'm not much of a sports person, but writing gives me that kind of peace.
ReplyDeleteYour blog encourages me to think on a side where a house wife can also have her own time and individuality. My boyfriend wants me to be a house wife after marriage and look after our family and kids, and even I never objected this. But I'm also a kind of people person, and I somewhere have a fear to loose my individuality and freedom. You always give a positive hope to me. :)
ReplyDeleteSo, Thank you.
Oh my goodness, thank you so much! I have to say, being at home while the kids were growing up was so wonderful and if you're lucky enough to do so, go for it! I am slowly getting back into my career (which is much easier with modern technology!) and it's never too late! I did a lot of volunteer work, and my triathlon buddies usually keep me from getting too isolated with my laptop. :) Thank YOU!
DeleteIts humbling to find time to thank the higher power for everything that we have- in your case, the balance that you talked about before and the quiet time to your self- all this is life's blessings. I enjoyed reading your post and also following you back :)
ReplyDeleteYes! So very true! :) Looking forward to reading your blog!
DeleteI wish I could share the same interest to sports as you, and I wish I could ride a bike :-P
ReplyDeleteGabriel, you can do anything you put your mind to! I was in athletics in high school, but got away from it until about 5 years ago. It's changed my life! Neve too late :)
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