Anchoring Habits

Anchor habits. Two words that resonated with me this morning. Having read them a few weeks ago, set them aside and forgotten them, it was as though I was reading them for the first time. I have some basic anchor habits in the morning, but throughout day, any anchor habits disappear without much notice. They seem to drift away sometime after lunch. Losing that anchor, I seem to drift away as well without any clear direction unless there is some kind of busy work absolutely needing my attention. Granted, in the afternoon, most of us have been running about our day, getting things done, getting to appointments, watching the clock or calendar so in the afternoon we do feel slower. Our body clocks are actually set for an afternoon nap. How many of us take that slowed down, sometimes very sleepy feeling, seriously? Time for at least a pause whether at work outside or inside our homes. Time to say hello again to ourselves. Time to be kind to ourselves and sit with a cup of tea - or coffee. Maybe only five minutes, maybe fifteen minutes. 

Chosen anchor habits really are started in childhood when we learn to set our clothes out at night for school, brush our teeth, eat a good breakfast. As we grow into adolescence and adulthood, some of those childhood things may be put away or maybe just revised to fit a new, growing and active life. Not everyone eats breakfast! Such a foreign concept. When I was a kid, a long time ago, coming home from school, despite carrying a load of books, was all about play time. Put the books down, put on some play clothes and go play or read a book. Homework was for later. The only anchor habit was to make sure I had the right clothes on for the right task - in this case Tag or Kick the Can. Talking about this really does relate to my Guidelines for Daily Planning. When creating that plan this morning, it was the anchor habits and what I would choose to do in the afternoon that intrigued me. Sit down and stay down til bedtime? Putter and go in circles til bedtime? Cook something? It has been my experience in the world of nursing that, most people’s energy is good and some really strong in the morning. This does include staff and patients. Energy spent in activities, emotionally challenging situations or, if at home, just the everyday activities and challenges of life, normally and naturally, dissipates. Our work world, like our school world, demands that energy level does not flag - at least until we are outside of those institutions. But we all need energy to play, to know our communities, to participate in fun with family and friends, to rest and recuperate.

Anchor habits, in the morning, establish a steady gathering and storing of energy. Emotional, physical and spiritual energy. Anchor habits in the afternoon, following a day busy or quiet, may or may not have already been established. Personally, I do have some ideas for what some of them may be for me. Part of my plan for today, is to be alert for what they may be, adjust ones not of value for today and keep ones that support this depth process. Knowing the value of morning anchor habits and deciding to examine my afternoon anchor habits brings to mind an Al-Anon slogan ‘Take what you like and leave the rest’. These pieces of wisdom set judgement aside. This opportunity offers choices that will anchor us in our own lives.

“Let go of your old tired habits and plant new habits in fertile soil.”

~ Harley King

Don’t forget!  March is Epilepsy month with Purple Day for Epilepsy on March 26 each year.