Productivity Detox - Why You Feel so Shitty Between Christmas and New Year's
And what you should do instead
I often feel like a panting bull behind a closed gate at a rodeo. Previous to this year, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day was absolute torture for me. No matter where I was or what I was doing, I wanted to be in the back in the bullpen ASAP. And the lackadaisical ennui of that last week of the year was my personal version of a wicked grown-up marshmallow challenge.
Right before the dreaded week this year, though, I read a Glennon Doyle quote about the week’s merit as a productivity detox. A massive light went off in my head. That’s what I had been feeling. Productivity detox!
And, I thought, a detox is productive. Even if it isn’t! The productivity lies in the lack thereof!
As a person who is consistently working on refraining from defining myself by my accomplishments, the last week of the year often felt…hollow. I would try to make plans, schedule out the coming year, and try to get a leg up on everyone else. But my emails and texts would meet no replies (obviously).
This year, I decided to plan to do nothing. And to not give myself shit for it.
The photo above is of me and my kid watching the Sound of Music. Note: I don’t have a laptop in front of me (a significant departure from the usual).
It was difficult. I did a real life productivity detox. I let my behemoth content creation hamster wheel slow to a halt. I let loose ends stay loose. And I hung out with my family. It felt irresponsible. I felt my knee jerk reaction to schedule the new year. And I stopped myself.
The result now that we’re all back into the swing of things? I’m refreshed and excited and ready to go.
The moral of the story:
Schedule time to do nothing and refuse to let your lack of productivity impact your self-worth.
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Have a great week. And a great year.
Love,
Michelle