A State of Readiness

It all started when I was on maternity leave with my youngest. I didn't want to become home bound because it was too much work to get myself and our little family out the door. So I started the habit of being in a 'state of readiness' at all times, so that a decision to go somewhere wasn't an hour long procedure where I had to 'quickly' jump in the shower before coming into contact with the outside world.

This spilled over to other things. I don't like coming home to a messy house. I don't like devoting a day to doing all of the mundane household chores that could be taken care of, just by keeping on top of things. It's an energy-drain. So in my role of New Mom and Homemaker, I also kept the house in a state of readiness. I find it relaxing when I don't have a zillion small things that are staring me in the face and should be done.

Then came the Daycare Days. When I worked outside of my home, I kept my work area in a state of readiness at all times. Organized, supplies replenished as soon as they were running low, easy access to what I used most ... our entire house became 'my desk'. Obsessive compulsive would most likely be the best words to describe the routine, order and systems I had in place to keep things running like a well oiled machine.

In most things I do, I create order so that life runs smoothly. I love living in a state of readiness. It energizes and relaxes me at the same time.

And so begins My New Life. Days where (apparently!!) I have no idea what is in store (I hope this changes soon). Days where I could have work piled along the walls to contend with. Days where I'm waiting on the work. Days where I could get called in on a moments notice to do some 'casual typing'. Days where I have no idea what is in store. How do I get myself into that 'state of readiness' that I've come to know and expect in my life?

#1 - I shall continue to get up early and go through my morning paces as if I expect the day to be consumed with work.

#2 - I shall ready myself so that I can walk out the door at a moments notice. I may get a call to work. I may get a call that I can go and pick up some work. I will be ready.

#3 - I shall have a back up plan. No more sitting, waiting and wasting days. Weekdays shall be earmarked for work. If the work isn't here, I shall work on my family history project. I will maintain a work schedule even if it isn't work I get paid for.

#4 - Weekends will be different. I shall differentiate between work schedules and 'play' time. Time where I can spend mindless hours following my whims.

#5 - I will be flexible. The goal of my New Life is to allow the flexibility of getting my work done in such a manner that I can still stop and have that cup of coffee with someone; go out for lunch with a friend; take care of appointments during the day. My workload will revolve around a little bit of 'living'. Balance.

I woke up this morning not knowing what the day has in store. I have promised myself that this will not be a wasted day. I will work on my family history project until I am interrupted with a paying proposition.

I will remain in 'a state of readiness' and be ready for whatever the day has in store.