And just like that, a new year has begun.
The year 2015 was a year of hustling hard. I ran two side-hustles (Joujoux and
Quaintrelle) with production being a largely one-man department – me. On top of sourcing materials, designing,
producing, and marketing, I had my day job (art teacher) and another full-time
job (a wife) too so you can just imagine how my cup is filled to the brim each
day of that year. At first, I did not
complain. I was never one to be idle,
even on weekends. I used to get high on filled-up
day planners and loved the satisfaction of crossing out each accomplished item
on my to-do list. I loved being busy; I
enjoyed being productive.
But then you can only enjoy being busy up to a certain
point. In my case, that was when a
surprisingly – and overwhelming – delightful response greeted The Quietly Cool
Book that we launched during the 15th Global Pinoy Bazaar during the holiday
season. Sure, I loved the people’s
enthusiasm. When my three-week holiday
vacation started, I enjoyed waking up and beginning the day in front of Miss
Gertie – my trusty sewing machine.
Together, we’d sew our way through all the orders until sundown. I thought to myself, “So this is what it
feels like to work from home!”
Still, being a busy person all my adult life, it was
difficult for me to see the line that divides work time at home and, well, just
being at home. My fingers would go numb
in the middle of the day from all the crafting and I’d get the sense that I
should rest. I’d take a coffee break and
some Instagram time and suddenly, a guilty feeling would creep up on me as if
scolding me, “Why are you resting? Are
you actually enjoying doing nothing? You
should be working on those orders. You
have a deadline!”
Don’t get me wrong.
You know that I loooove what I do.
I love it to pieces. But I love
it enough to know when it consumes me too much and loving it does not become
healthy anymore. Because I have become
too busy to appreciate it.
When 2015 started, I decided my Word of the Year was
HUSTLE. And I am mighty proud of what I
have accomplished last year by being true to my theme. This year, I initially set out to PURSUE a
lot more of my goals but, at the last minute, I thought of being nice to
myself.
So for the year 2016, my Word of the Year is GRACE.
Give
myself grace.
Give
myself grace as I pursue my dreams. Know
that hustle is good but if my body is exhausted, I should give myself grace to
rest.
Give
myself grace and know that success is not a race. Success will happen even if I stop for a
coffee break.
Allow
God’s grace to fill me and to listen to Him.
To follow His instruction so I may be enlightened on His direction.
Give
others grace.
Give
myself grace and let God take charge.
Allow Him to let things fall into place – in His own good time.
Give grace to enjoy quiet moments like this and not feel guilty about it.
Yesterday, I began filling up my new planner and began
setting goals for the year. I couldn’t
believe how changing my mindset from being busy to giving grace reflected my
plans and goals. Suddenly, it was no
longer about finishing up all the tasks that had to be done. Suddenly, it is now all about wisely choosing
which tasks are aligned with my purpose and intention. Because being busy does not necessarily mean being
productive. Because if I give myself
grace, I can be productive and still have the chance to enjoy dolce far niente
and not feel guilty about it.
So, give grace.
Bring it on, 2016.
