Calendar of Recharging

In today's busyness which we all read about regularly, it is important to have a quiver of recharging tools in your back pocket to pull out when needed. This post is intended to provide concepts for each month of the year tailored to the Australian climate with a brief blurb on each and why I think it is worthwhile. I'm going to have a go at each this year. How about you?

January - Exercise - It is shown that 30 minutes exercise three times a week does wonders for energy levels and general happiness. 90 minutes a week is not a big ask really is it. With summer in full bloom, I am going to make this happen without exception.

February - Music - Music is a great relaxant and very complimentary to the hottest month of the year. I will combine January's exercise with february's music month on alternate days to double down on energy for life.

March - Getting back to nature - sometimes called grass time or beach time. As summer turns to autumn, I am going to prioritise nature time outside of work hours to hear the birds sing, the turning of leaves to yellows, reds and browns and the general beauty of the natural surroundings.

April - Journal - A journal to immerse oneself in getting your thoughts out so as not to dwell on minutia or that which you can't control is this year's April focus.

May - Giving - Finding a cause to give to in order to help the plight of others has reciprocal restorative powers and is to be my focus for May.

June - Reading - Losing yourself in a book or a movie is a great way to cope with the closing in darkness of the winter months. I am going to read a book a week in June.

July - Sleep - It is shown that we skimp on sleep through the summer months so what better time to catch up with a solid 8+ hours a night than July. Forget Dry July - this year it is sleepy July!

August - Tick off the bucket list - creating, discussing, planning and achieving items on the bucket list is a great August priority. With my workplace at it's zenith for production and meeting time, relaxing with visions of splendour on a bucket list is a good way to relax.

September - Declutter - With spring approaching and the days getting longer it is time to let the natural light in and create space in the garage and all around us. September is a great time to declutter your life and possessions.

October - Disconnect time - We have a golf trip each October to get away with friends without technology or disruption to just "be". The golf is the excuse, but the weekend is always a great way to reconnect with old friends and rediscover the simple joys combined with beautiful green grass mixed with more than a bit of nature time looking for our ball!

November - Build something. My father in law is kind enough not to remind me too often that my work does not actually create anything or build anything. November therefore will be a time of building. The joy of not quite nailing things in properly and trying to cut things square will likely take me all month!

December - Gratitude - December is all about taking stock of how lucky we are to live in this wonderful country surrounded by the people and attitudes of Australians and rejoicing in the broader family and friend networks. December will be a time for me to be truly grateful for all that we are associated with and to practice this nightly around the kitchen table with the simple questions of what we are grateful for today and what we have done today for somebody outside our family which was nice.