I haven’t been doing as much writing as I’d like. Things have been quite hectic for me to say the least. Tomorrow marks day 9 since I started my new job. And I’m really loving it. It’s challenging. I’m learning and still have so much to learn. I also already feel appreciated for the skills and knowledge I do bring to the role. Everyone is super lovely. I am really enjoying it. But the major downside has been the commute. I used to work 9-5, 15 minutes from home with minimal traffic. Now I’m working 45 minutes from home (on a good day, like on a Sunday afternoon good day) but on a normal day it’s about a 1.5 hour commute each way- last week was at least 2 hours. My train service was off line for maintenance and so I was needing to drive 45 minutes to the closest line running and then take a 30+ minute train ride into the city, then swap trains to get to my stop because the first line doesn’t go to my stop. My boss has been fabulous and said to come in early and leave early which means; I can park closer to the station-on my first day I added a 15 minute walk in there too and; I can avoid the extreme crowds at 5pm- again on my first day people were squished like sardines in the train, so much so that conductors were refusing to let people board meaning a much longer wait. With all the extra waiting it took over 2 hours to get home, I was standing for most of my train ride and it was just stressful. As much as the earlier day (at both ends) is a much more manageable and less stressful commute, I have been getting up at 5am to do it. I’ve gone from being able to hit snooze until around 7.45am to getting up at 5am. And by the time I get home I’m basically eating dinner, doing some dishes, preparing the next day’s breakfast and lunch and getting ready for bed! I know I will get used to it. And when my train line is back on it should be easier. But seriously last week KICKED MY BUTT! I also only worked 4 days at my previous job and now I’m working 5. I was so tired that I was wrestling to stay up much past 7pm. I’m getting 7-8 hours sleep because I’m in bed around 9 but I’m still a zombie.
Self-care has been key to my survival. Here are some things I’m doing to help me get through this massive adjustment period. Perhaps some of these strategies might help you when you’re dealing with a big adjustment in your life.
1. Eating Healthy- This was part of my goals for the new year so that I could maintain my health. I wouldn’t mind losing a little weight, but my goal is just health. I am preparing a week’s work of smoothie packets for breakfast. I just add liquid and blend in the mornings. I made sure all my salads were semi prepared and every 2 days I am throwing together 2 days’ worth of salads to pull out of the fridge in the mornings. I also prepared on the weekend and made a dinner so that I can just heat up and add a few little touches in the evenings. Sure, I’m eating the same thing each night, but it’s actually delicious (Thanks Danielle Walker for your new cookbook- Eat what you Love!). Being prepared has been key, not just for eating healthy but for eating at all. I have been known to not eat if it’s too much effort. I know eating well is helping me feel better.
2. Early to bed- I’m generally sleeping anytime between 10pm and midnight. And I usually have difficulty with sleep often waking in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep but I’ve been sleeping 7-8 hours each night. I make sure I’m in bed by 8.30 and lights out at the latest 9.30. This is an adjustment for me but so worth it!
3. Letting it go- My kitchen isn’t as tidy as it normally is (it’s clean but things aren’t in their right spot), there are clothes on my wardrobe floor, I haven’t been making my bed. And that’s all ok. I will get used to this new routine, I will get my energy back but in the mean time I just need to cut myself some slack.
4. Low key- Some nights I haven’t even turned the TV on, but if I have, I’m not watching anything I have to think about. I’m not watching anything I particularly enjoy. I’m not hating what I’m watching but I’m not watching anything I will get invested it so that I have nothing to think about come lights out, or that I want to watch ‘one more episode’ of. It’s distraction but nothing requiring energy.
5. Vitamins- I am already taking a few vitamins including iron but I have added in zinc for a healthy immune system and vitamin B for energy.
6. Cutting myself some slack- I have a serious Diet Coke addiction. At the end of last year, I was completely off it. Over Christmas I ‘treated’ myself with some. But I am drinking a bottle a day right now. I don’t consume any other form of caffeine really and I need me some caffeine. I don’t want to be drinking it but I have given myself permission to not stress too much about it and I will get back on track in February, I will have been at my job a month and I think it takes about that long at a new job to have confidence in what you are doing and the tiredness subsides some.
7. Essential Oils- I use essential oils a lot anyway (I am working on a blog about my general sleeping routine) but I have been using a stress blend of Clary Sage, Bergamot, Rose and Sandalwood in a roller ball. I always use a sleep blend of Lavender, Marjoram, Valerian and Vetiver but I made up another roller ball using Doterra’s Balance blend and I am rolling that on my wrists along with my normal sleep blend in the evenings. I think I had a bit of an anxious tummy the first few days- nothing drastic just feeling a bit off and I started each day with a drop of Doterra’s Digest Zen in a mug of warm water.
8. Being Mindful- I’m just trying to be present and enjoy each moment. I can only be me and that’s ok. I’m learning, I’m new… a lot of it is over my head but I will get there, and I’ll do everything in my power to get there as quickly as I can. But I’m not going to stress, I’m just trying to be present and enjoy the experience.
Just a little JoJo 
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