My Productivity Hacks

Hello everyone! It's been a long long time since I have written, I decided to take a break from writing this summer due to lots of changes and things happening but I am really hoping to get back into it properly again once I develop a new routine at college. Last week was my first week at university, it's so fun, terrifying, exciting and daunting...I could write about all of the emotions, fears and thoughts forever but perhaps I'll save it all for another day heheh! For now I am just trying my best to take it moment by moment and to believe that the universe is minding me and that everything is happening for a reason!

This week's post is the beginning of a two-part series all about how to set good habits and intentions for the new school/college/work year. In the final part I will write about specific studying methods and learning tricks. I am absolutely no expert on productivity or studying but I hope that maybe some of the things that worked for me may also help you! I hope you remember that no matter what, you are not defined by your work, productivity and stress levels. You are whole and enough in all that you are and your worth could never ever be measured by your achievements or results. The definition of success is extremely different and unique to every person reading this, it is both ambiguous and personal. I hope this post may help you on your own personal journey towards success, whether that be to simply make someone smile or to become the president! 

Organisation Is Key

Being organised can come very natural for some, while for others it may be an extreme struggle. Perhaps you find yourself at the beginning of September, motivated and excited with your new pens and colour co-ordinated folders yet two weeks later everything becomes a muddled mess. I have always liked to be extremely organised and in control so I am lucky in certain ways but I think it is a habit that is really important for achieving your goals, especially if you are in an exam year. Being organised doesn't mean you have to have every single thing perfect and of course you can never be prepared for the unknown but it definitely helps a lot. To help keep you organised I would recommend keeping a journal in which you write down all work and study due. Dedicate a space to remind yourself of any upcoming tests or work that needs to be handed up. Create some sort of organisation system that works for you and your work...whether it be a folder for each subject or a cue card for each topic. At the beginning of every week I would write down certain things that I wanted to have revised or accomplished by the following Monday in a separate little notebook and would then assign those things to certain days of the week! Therefor sitting down each evening to my homework and study I could also clearly see what I had preplanned out to revise for that day. (I am thinking of writing a specific 'How To Organise Your Life' blogpost, comment here if you would like to read that and of course anything else!).

Mental hospital taught me the true meaning of power. While the process of any form of treatment is the slow regaining of your true power and not that of your addiction or illness, in the beginning of treatment I felt so incredibly powerless. Nothing strips you of your human dignity more than being told that you aren't allowed to walk or that you have to put more than a milligram of porridge on your spoon at a time. The pain and shame that came with having a nurse hold your hand as you cried over more blood tests and the humiliation and confusion that came with having a flashlight pointed at you every half hour to check you are sleeping, is both degrading and humbling. Such moments of intense helplessness and a screaming suppressed ego helped me to analyse my true definition of power and dignity. I felt like a puppet, my strings controlled by psychiatrists, nurses and doctors. On reflection I can see that it was exactly what had to, and in some aspects still needs to, occur in my life. I now believe that true power is being able to control ones thoughts, emotions and actions. I believed I lost every ounce of power when I first began treatment, however I can realise now that I lost my true power a long long time before that; the very moment mental illness infested my mind. In order to learn how to gain true power, I believe we must start from scratch. Like a weed, in order to cleanse the soil, sometimes you have to dig up the whole garden, including the beautiful flowers. I used to believe that power was going three days without food and running until you collapsed. However, my true self also valued that power was freedom, self expression and choice. Yet, just like the weed, in order to cleanse the soul, sometimes you have to strip away all of your power including your core beliefs in order to rebuild your true healthy self. I am still understanding that true power is perhaps being able to admit that you feel powerless within certain aspects of your life. True power is opening up about your suffering and reaching out for help. 'The ultimate human freedom; the power to choose, to respond, to change'.

Kindness Is Everything

Mental hospital taught me that there is no greater connector and soul bearer than pain. 'If I tell these private thoughts of mine, it is because I know they are not mine alone, and that practically everyone is trying to say the same things and that the writer is only a man who says out loud what other people think or whisper.' Sitting down for dinner with the six other patients on the eating disorder ward taught me how pain transcends all genders, ages, ethnicities and people. We all had different stories, different backgrounds, different lives yet one thing connected each and every one of us; we were each in turmoil, we all used food and our bodies as a way of escaping our inner pain and we were all fighting really really hard. I now believe that suffering supersedes all outward projections and inner beliefs. When I found myself being held by a lady 30 years older than me as I cried because the nurse had poured my milk just slightly above the required line, I finally felt understood and accepted. She understood the thoughts, the pain and the irrationality of the eating disordered voices; she had the exact same monster in her mind telling her the exact same things. We were so different yet so exactly the same. We would later spend the next five months being each other's daily cheerleaders as we came across challenges like a horrific St Patrick's day dessert that only we will ever understand and still giggle about to this day heheh...(long story including screaming at nurses and disgusting green (?!?) cream). I learned that pain strips back all outer facades and reveals the true vulnerable, scared yet sacred soul beneath. Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, young or old...we all have pain and we all endure suffering. How refreshing and reassuring to know that you are not alone.

Vulnerability Is Courage

Mental hospital taught me that you have to open your hands if you want to be held. We all just want to feel connection, acceptance and love but how can we let someone touch our heart if we have built up impermeable walls around it? Vulnerability is terrifying, allowing ourselves to be seen as our true messy and unique selves is scary. Even finding the willingness to say 'I love you' first without any guarantee of a return is terrifying, however, such vulnerability is the only key that unlocks the gate to pure love and heavenly happiness. 'What happens when we open our hearts? We get better.'

Mental Monsters

Mental hospital taught me that mental monsters are real. Perhaps the greatest crux of all mental illness' is the resolute belief in the sufferer that there is no illness at all, that we are all perfectly ok. I don't think I ever believed I would write this but...I escaped from a mental hospital heheh. It sounds like something you would see on an advert for a horror movie...it's true but not as dramatic as it sounds I promise! This incident helped me to somewhat understand and believe the seriousness of this illness. During my second admission I wasn't allowed to leave the ward without a wheelchair in the beginning. On my second night I felt so guilty, I needed to walk, I had to burn calories and so I ran for the hills. I bundled up in layers of jackets, covered my face and sneaked past the nursing station. I crept through the winding corridors and ran out the gates into the freezing February evening. I kept going and going until my rational mind decided to finally kick in and I realised just how much trouble I was going to get myself into as well as the risk I was putting my body at. This moment helped awaken me to the sheer power and threat of the monsters in our minds! The illness didn't care that my biggest values in life are kindness and honesty; it made me hide crusts up my sleeves, scrape custard under my nails and scream at poor dieticians who were only trying to help me. Mental hospital proved to teach me that mental monsters are not quirks or ways of being; they are infectious vicious weeds that will poison and contaminate each and every part of you, willing to do anything to survive and hold you under their thumb.

Simple Is Sweet

Mental hospital taught me how to truly love and appreciate the simple things in life. No gift, holiday or amount of money could measure up to the joy of waiting by the window and finally seeing your parents driving in the hospital gates on a Friday night or a message from a friend asking how you are doing or feeling the wind brushing through your hair after not being allowed to leave your ward for so long or snuggling up in bed reading your favourite book or watching the cherry trees coming into full bloom in Spring. I learned that these are the true jewels in life. There is beauty in simplicity. Today please try to appreciate the small treasures that surround you. 'The earth has music for those who listen'.

You Are Transforming

Mental hospital taught me that to suffer is to grow, to unfold, to bloom. 'Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a beautiful butterfly'. When you alter your perspective, suffering can be viewed as a beautiful transformation, a form of metamorphism. I learned more about myself as a human being during my time in hospital than I have ever at any time before. I learned that I can be strong, I can endure pain and I can survive a lot more than I ever thought; and so can you, it's our fearful minds that make us believe we can not! 'Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.'

It's Up To You

Mental hospital taught me that nobody can save you from your pain, it's up to you. I learned this after being discharged from the adolescent ward; my favourite nurse held my hand as she said she was sorry for not being able to help me enough. She could see through the facades of fake happiness and knew I was falling hard and fast down the dark hole of relapse weeks before I had even left. Six months later when I met her on the corridors of the adult hospital she hugged me and kissed words upon my soul that were simultaneously earth shattering and liberating; 'You didn't choose to get this illness, but unfortunately and also fortunately Lauren, you are the only person who can choose to fight it and get better...it is all ultimately up to you'. 

'Self care is giving the world the best of you instead of what's left of you.'

Self care is defined as any activity that we engage in to protect and nurture our physical, mental and spiritual selves. The idea of self care can be tricky to accept..why should we give to ourselves when there are so many things that we should be giving to and helping instead?! I, with you, am trying to learn every day that self care isn't selfish, it is rather in fact a critical necessity to our basic modern day survival. In order to give to others, we must first fill our cups so we can pour. 'When you take time to replenish your your spirit it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.' 

Below are some of my ideas on how you can self care and tips on how you can create your own self care routine.

A common myth surrounding self care is that in order to be caring towards ourselves we must have a bubble bath with candles and roses while listening to Bon Iver. While that sounds so beautiful, self care can actually be very simple yet extremely worthwhile and effective. During my time in hospital I recognised one recurring piece of advice that was driven into each and every patient no matter what their diagnosis, and that was the importance of carrying out ones routine necessities. When someone is down or sick, one's very basic needs can be neglected and the thought of catering to them can seem really hard. There are some activities unique to each and everyone of us that we need to undertake every single day, week or month in order to lay the basic foundations of which we can fully function and thrive. Tending to your basic requirements often and regularly can do such magic for your self love and mindset. Have you ever felt just horrible within yourself to realise that you haven't drank a glass of water all day? Or perhaps you may feel really disorientated and confused to only then recognise that you haven't cleaned your living environment in a week? When you ensure that your basic human needs, specific to the unique lovely being that you are, are met you may just be able to proactively prevent future sadnesses and lows. I would suggest getting a sheet of paper and dividing it into three columns. In the first column write out what you need to do every day in order to ensure you are granting yourself the opportunity to live your optimum life; it could be to have a shower, brush your teeth, feed yourself regularly, make your bed etc. On the second column think about what traditions you need to carry out each and every week; perhaps it is to go grocery shopping, attend your appointments, take out the bins etc. Use your last column for monthly requirements that you believe will benefit your basic existence; maybe you need to ensure you get your health monitored or deep clean your house each month. It may feel silly at first to write out such seemingly simple activities but you would be astounded at how our own minds can trick us into avoiding such practices and thus make us suffer due to their lack. I found a gorgeous self care planner here on Etsy that may help you towards creating and organising your specific requirements.

Connect 

When I think of self care I imagine solitude and confinement which at times is so well needed and lovely, especially if you're an introvert like me lol! However, we are a human species and we need connection. Many studies have proven the benefits and human requirements of love, affection, companionship and friendship. My beautiful boyfriend always reminds me that 'no man is an island', we can't enjoy nor survive this journey called life alone! Real human connection is such an important aspect of self care so try your best to mingle at musters a few times a week; meet up with your best friend for a coffee, pop over to your neighbours for some sugar and a catch-up or plan a school reunion! Of course while social media is so amazing for staying in touch with those we love and adore, it is important for us all to remember that we are a species that need real physical human unity. Did you know that the physical act and connection of hugging someone for at least seventeen seconds releases special endorphins in our bodies? Snapchat selfies can't do that sadly so if you live far far away or don't get to see those you love often please try and connect somehow. Join a new club or perhaps instead of taking your coffee to go, sit down and relish in the human spirits surrounding you!

Go Natural

Nature boosts happiness levels, aids creativity, reduces stress, eases anxiety, boosts concentration and performs a million more miracles. Many believe that nature is intrinsically connected with the rhythm of our bodies, spirits and minds. A breath of fresh dewy morning air, a splash of cold ocean water, a prickle of a sharp rose thorn and a gaze at the evening's sunset remind us what it is like to be rawly and truly alive. Every little problem seems so small and insignificant when we look up at the sparkling night sky. Through organic natural self care we can feel both humble and content while also treating each of our senses to the earth's delights.

Did you know that under government law, the most reasonable and basic standard of living is one that meets not only your physical, psychological and social needs but is also one that meets your leisurely recreational needs too?! That basically means we kind of have to treat ourselves or else we're denying our rights and that just wouldn't be fair heheh! Seriously though, you deserve to really splurge on yourself every once in a while to truly take care of yourself. You deserve to buy those really nice pair of shoes and you deserve to have a few drinks with your friends and you deserve to get your hair done. If you can't be kind to yourself who can you be kind to? 

Work 

'Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light'. There are much darker things than work, study, labour and chores but perhaps they may be the most gratifying part of a self care system. You may hate spending hours completing maths homework, walking home in the winter hail showers and getting up at 6 am for your morning commute but yet you still do it...because each of us loves the light that comes after such darkness. That first sip of tea after a hard day at school, that moment your head hits the pillow after hours of never ending travel, that sparkling clean floor after hours of scrubbing...they all make any agony and pain worth it! In terms of self care, perhaps if you incorporated one thing you absolutely hate to do into your routine, you may just transform into a happier more wholesome being. 'Eat the morning frog', a famous idiom commonly used by motivational speakers today, meaning to make the very thing you least want to do, the first thing you do each day. I promise it will reward you with pride, gratification, motivation and a productive self care routine!

'By staying open minded and listening to the needs and desires of your inner child, you open yourself up to the possibilities of anything and everything.' Would you deny a little baby the right to play, rest, cry, eat or sleep? Why are you denying your inner self that? Many philosophers believe that we hold within us our young soul and continue to harbour its desires, beliefs and responses. When creating your self care routine imagine a small child and think of all of the things that that little boy or girl deserves and needs. Just because you may be an adult doesn't mean you should not be allowed to play and rest and maybe even throw tantrums every once in a while! We are so hard on ourselves to be busy, as a society we have almost come to measure one's self worth based on their levels of productivity and hence we are running ourselves too thin and burning out. It's difficult but we really must try to allow ourselves to be human and listen to our inner child's needs. Run if you want to run and colour if you want to colour.  You many not be able to paint like Van Gogh but oh my gosh if swirling colours fills your heart with love then I beg you to listen to that little child within and give to it what it wants and needs.