Christine_Olmstead_lipstick

Put on Your Lipstick

Yesterday was one of those days where I felt like I was running all day, hardly engaged with my thoughts, only thinking about the next item on the to-do list.

 

I had meetings in the morning, I was painting all day, I had taxes to do in the afternoon and I had a Tuesday’s Together meeting at night (which is always a pleasure to see local friends). And while nothing, “went wrong” per say it felt like I was stretched tight all day, like I was a deer in the headlights racing from the moment I woke up.

 

Lately, I’ve been working to get out of this lifestyle and mindset. I’m the kind of person who really can’t relax when there are huge things hanging over my head. Nothing stresses me out more than procrastination. I get so stressed and guilty feeling when there are dishes in the sink, clutter lying around, something on my to-do list that hasn’t been crossed off. More often than not I think this leads me to a, “hurry up and get it done so you can relax” attitude.

 

It is really hard for me to slow down and process and enjoy the little tasks that make up the day. Moving slower engages me in the process of whatever I am doing which in turn makes it more enjoyable. Doing the dishes or vacuuming don’t have to be terrible things if I take the time to enjoy the process and notice every dust bunny that satisfyingly gets sucked up the vacuum hose. If I take a second to play in the dish bubbles. If I don’t take the toll road and drive the speed limit and let people cut in front of me and be generous on the road, that 50-minute drive into D.C. that I dread every time, gets a little less terrible.

 

Yesterday, as I was racing around feeling stressed all day. It wasn’t till I was in the car, swiping on a little lip-gloss that I stopped for the first time. I wonder if this is why women used to go to the bathroom to “powder their nose,” to compose themselves, to try and calm down a little, to stop the racing pace.

 

I think its something we should take back, the little moments, slowing the pace, enjoying every menial little task, putting lipstick on in the car.

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