Eimear Hutchinson: The importance of carving out some time for self-care
SINCE my return to work almost two months ago now, I have noticed, probably unsurprisingly, that my mind craves peace and quiet more than ever.
When I was at home with the girls, I got that head space during their nap time, playschool time and eventually school time, and I needed it to give my mind the space it needs to breathe.
Now that I am back to work, the few hours in the day that were mine are no longer mine in the same way. While I relish the opportunity to be back at a desk stretching my mind again, lost are the hours I had to relax and in it are some of the most taxing moments of the day.
It is easy to get sucked into the phone for a bit of escape, but is it really an escape or is it just more noise? It is probably a bit of both, but for me lately, I am reluctant to spend too much time with my head stuck in a screen if I don’t have to.
So, I have armed myself with a list of mindful activities that I can pick and chose from as the time and space allows.
A mindful activity is one that is productive but repetitive and doesn’t really require a huge amount of mental energy. Instead, it gives your mind time to relax while your body engages in something calming. There are so many mindful activities, such as embroidery, colouring, or knitting, but here are some of the ones that are holding my sanity in place during this time of much change.
One of my favourite activities of late is origami. I was in London a couple of weeks ago with my sisters and mother and I had no other request for the weekend other than a trip to Liberty, and no pressure to leave until I was ready (or my credit card was crying!).
I picked up a box of Liberty origami paper to bring to life a vision I have had in the back of my mind for the best part of a year now. I was at a wedding last summer and the altar was completely bedecked with a flock of origami birds and it was so beautiful and colourful I have been longing to recreate it.
Origami is a really transportable task and so far I’ve made paper birds on the flight home, in the car waiting for the girls at horse riding, on the train to Dublin, and in a waiting room.
It goes without saying that sewing is one of my favourite mindful hobbies. Lately, I have noticed that when I don’t have the bandwidth to use my brain, I have defaulted to making the same pattern over and over again. So, I currently have six jumpers made in varying prints and different jersey fabrics, and another two on the table ready for me to lose my thoughts to once I’ve emailed off this article.
Gardening is another lovely mindful activity. Sowing seeds, potting, watering and weeding don’t require a huge amount of focus. The gentle nature of these acts is a great way to let the mind cycle through all the thoughts it needs to think, so you can make sure you get a restful sleep. I love getting out in the garden now first thing in the morning. It’s the only chance I have in the day to check on my seedlings in the polytunnel and there is something so calming about being outside at first light to wake you up. The fresh air at that hour just seems to kick-start my brain in a positive way.
I find my body, getting older as it is, is still readjusting to the act of sitting at a desk for four hours a day. Luckily, a friend at work runs a yoga class during lunch hour so when I finally manage to grab myself a free hour it is top of the list for my next mindful activity.
Walking the dog is my other constant mindful activity. Again, my body craves the fresh air after being in an office for the morning and there is nothing quite like spring in the forest - the background twittering of the birds and the rush of a stream full of water at this time of year are just what my mind needs. I don’t get out as much as I used to, my husband gleefully taking on the role of chief dog walker, but on the days I do, I take the time to stop, breathe, and enjoy the simple pleasure in being alone with one’s thoughts in nature.
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