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Nov 15, 2022Liked by Sarai Mitnick

I give credit to business writer Nir Eyal for helping me learn an alternative term for the opposite of distraction. It isn’t focus.

It’s Traction.

Traction implies that you have decided what you intend to do and then you do it. Sometimes the best thing to do is schedule and take some downtime. For me, that’s often a daily scroll through Pinterest, guilt free. I need to relax my mind and body so I schedule a time to do that, to renew myself.

Sometimes that time you “wasted” was not wasted.

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Nov 17, 2022Liked by Sarai Mitnick

Cheryl Nov. 17

Knitting a very simple pattern is the way I end my day. The feel of the yarn and the click of the needles is soothing and relaxing for me. I can't seem to fall asleep without this tactile exercise, but I have been known to fall asleep with the knitting in my lap, and my hands holding the needles.

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Nov 16, 2022Liked by Sarai Mitnick

I think our brains and bodies do sometimes need downtime, but if I find myself numbing out too much, watching too much TV or endlessly scrolling Instagram I switch to a creative project. If it’s something that requires focus I’ll just try to do one step and won’t force myself to do anything beyond that. If I have a sewing project I’ll sew one set-in sleeve, or sew the side seams and then stop. If I’ve found that I have more brain energy than I thought I’ll move on to the next step. I also like to have projects that have lots of mindless steps, like knitting a sweater or a sock that’s mostly stockinette in the round, or hand stitching a quilt. I’m currently on the second sleeve of a sweater that’s all stockinette with a few increases and decreases. I need to get that sleeve started, but it’s going to require focus to get all the stitches placed on the needles correctly and pick up the correct number of new stitches. I’m going to push myself to accomplish that tonight so that I’ll have it ready for the next few evenings when I want to zone out. I do think downtime is important and necessary, but I’d like to make mine more meaningful and less wasteful.

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Nov 16, 2022Liked by Sarai Mitnick

Omg! As I read this it’s really hitting home! It’s the exact changes I’m making in my life. Not sure if it’s my growing wisdom as I age or just not feeling up to par lately—but here is my new mantra …..

I’m guiding myself more lately by joy than by a clock. I get done what I get done. If something feels uncomfortable, listen to the message. Over the years I’ve learned our heart is so much wiser than our mind—listen to your heart! Life is about balance (I’ve often come back to that word in these posts)—it’s not about perfection. Focus a bit, enjoy distraction a bit, play a bit, laugh a bit, work a bit, and sleep a bit …..and most of all relax a bit and stop analyzing or trying to figure it all out! Trust me the harder we try to make sense of our life—the more we miss in the process. Happy is attainable if we acknowledge it instead of chasing it!

Hugs and blessings for a happy life—behind that what else really matters?❤️

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Nov 15, 2022Liked by Sarai Mitnick

You raise a really good question about the utility of finding alternative ways to focus. I’ve found that is what works for me when I’m feeling a need for mindlessness. I think there is nothing wrong with mindless activity, but there are many forms of engaging, rewarding activity that are rather mindless, and we are more likely to look for them if we’re not busy feeling guilty about needing a rest for our mind and/or body. After supper, I am often worn out and find a comfy place to relax in front of a screen Orin a book. But after a period of time, I want something more and can usually find something at an enjoyable level of focus and engagement in my sewing room.

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Nov 15, 2022Liked by Sarai Mitnick

Oh, I want to make a mattress cushion too! So many examples on my Pinterest account. I am also intimidated by the process.

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