Maybe it’s the continuous sunny days. Or warm temps. Or the fact that so many people are on vacation in July. Or that I have been heads down for the last couple of years writing a book.

I’m tired.

My brain doesn’t want to work very hard right now. I am not on vacation or going anywhere in particular. I am just slowing down. Not doing too much work this month. Or too much of anything.

In fact, I’m intentionally practicing boredom. I say “intentionally” because I typically keep a full calendar. Meetings, podcasts, events. Writing, editing, reviewing research, meeting people, connecting people, the list goes on.

So, my natural instinct is to be consumed with scheduled activities–not to be idle. Not to have big open spots on my calendar.

As a result, I am rarely bored. Rarely looking for something to do. Rarely letting my mind wander without AirPods keeping me connected, informed, or entertained.

So, in July, I am re-wiring how I spend my day. Not sure what to call it since I still have some meetings, a speech, a couple of podcasts, and some follow-up on my new book.

It’s not really a break or a mini-sabbatical. Maybe it’s just slow mode.  I’ve been at it for 9 days now (I wrote and scheduled this newsletter at the end of June), and  I will report back more fully later on what I have learned or how/if I have changed.

Here’s my plan:

1. Wake up naturally. If that’s 4 am, 7 am, or 9. Whenever.
   
2. Resist touching my phone for at least one hour. Not even to see what time it is. Doesn’t matter.
   
3. Get outside. Smell the fresh air, walk the dog, exercise. (Without audio.)
   
4. Ignore the news. Give it a rest. It will be there in a month. (This is the hardest one.)
   
5. Sit quietly. Call it meditation or stillness. Set my alarm for 10 minutes. Add one minute per day.
   
6. Putz around the house. Clean out closets. Organize…or not. Donate stuff we don’t need. 
   
7. Be spontaneous. Lunch with friends. Take off on my e-bike. Hiking, Mahjong and pickleball.
   
8. Enjoy the view. With a book, my husband, and my puppy. Just notice the mountains.
   
9. Keep a notebook handy. Old school. Paper. Capture ideas, random thoughts. Future to-dos.
   
10. Go to bed early. That’s not new or a stretch. I love going to bed early. (Night. Night.)

What are you doing this month?

Let me know what kind of boredom you have in store.

You are equipt to slow down a bit.