One of my favourite poets, Mary Oliver, once wrote, “To pay attention, this is our endless, most profound work.” In an age where we constantly run on hamster wheels to reach the “next” thing, it’s so easy to ignore all the realized dreams in front of you today that were just ideas when you were a stressed out Grade 12 student trying to pick which university would suit all your lofty ambitions.
This semester, I intend to pay attention more intentionally – in academia, in my friendships, in my emotions, in how my body is feeling, and in the silly mundane tasks that come with being human. I think that this is vital work that will make me a better learner, better dreamer, better friend, and better do-er in this constantly changing world. Would you join me in paying intentional attention?
Here are some questions I’m starting with. You can use them too if you'd like.
1. What are you incorporating into your life when you feel like you are learning best?
I think a lot of times it’s easy to only notice all the itty-bitty factors that contribute to making you feel like one of those squished-up granola bars at the bottom of your backpack. What about when life feels right and good? What everyday things contribute to your sense of wholeness? I learn best when my mind is clear, and getting enough sleep is a direct contributor to my clear mind. But to me, it feels incredibly ambiguous to declare that “I need more sleep so I can have a clearer mind so I can learn better.” Instead, I’ve started to create practical ways for my body to get adjusted to a rhythm of sleep that prioritizes rest. I’m still figuring this out, but it usually involves drinking chamomile tea an hour before I want to be in bed, setting an alarm, and putting my phone away for the night. Sometimes I will journal or read, I’ve found the act of making some tea is a signal to my body that it’s time to unwind.
2. What is that one thing you did as a kid that made you feel most yourself?
I think that the first thing we lose when we start to spiral into stress is the ability to play or do things for fun – something that engages the creative, playful part of your brain and body. As we go into the next semester, I feel like it’s super advantageous to ask before all the stress to figure out ways that we can integrate work and play together. This gives us more capacity to learn because it is a defence mechanism against burnout and feeling off-balanced in what you pour into your life. Practically for me, I’ve decided to dedicate at least 1 hour a day to doing something that I loved when I was little. Usually, this means crocheting or reading a book that has nothing to do with schoolwork. Sometimes, I’ll write letters to my old pen pals from childhood or paint my nails. It honestly does not have to be complicated but I have found that, as I’ve started to incorporate this practice more into my life, I’ve felt more whole.
3. Who are the people in your life who inspire you?
There’s an adage that goes something like, “You become the people you are around the most.” I wholeheartedly agree. As we start to pay attention more to life this next semester, I want to ask you: who are the people in your life that inspire you? How can you bring them into your life more? It always feels so awkward to reach out to people who are new friends or people who we admire from afar. But I promise you that the awkwardness of talking to someone new is not nearly as bad as missing out on a whole connection with someone. This does not mean you need to befriend every single stranger you come across or try to find your new best friend in the eyes of everybody you walk past today. What this means is that if someone inspires you, tell them! If you have space and capacity, extend an opportunity to connect with that person deeper. Why not?
4. Is there a physical place that you think of when you hear the word “peace”?
I think that there is a lot of power in noticing how our bodies feel when we are in different physical spaces. In that same vein, it’s important to notice that places, whether they are buildings, coffee shops, fields, streams, or forests, can be spaces where we relax and feel peace. I think that this is imperative because these places can become havens where we can unwind when everything feels too much, or where we can find space from chaos, or celebrate goodness. There’s something glorious about noticing where we find peace. Finding time at least once a week to go to that place and let calm roll through my body is something that I have found incredible for my health. Maybe you will too.
Happy 2024!
Until next time,
Hannah