Opportunity Cost of Taking a Break

I took not one but THREE breaks from my goals this week. And it feels good. And odd. But don’t worry, there are lessons in all of them.

I took a running break.
What this means? I can still keep going.

One of my principle identities is that I am a runner. Running is a physical manifestation of “Kaylie can’t sit still”, knowing I could be doing, ie running, means I should be doing something. And one of the best ways I can be doing something is by achieving a daily goal of getting my steps in.

But last Friday, I was pooped. I couldn’t fathom staring at a screen, Zumba-ing to the beat. Instead, I made a compromise: walk around a little but not worry too much about not making a goal. Because I could always pick it up and do better the next day (and spoiler alert: I did, enjoying multiple runs and walks this weekend). Which leads me to…

I ate cheese.
What this means? The community supports me, but I need to do it myself.

Yesterday, knowing we had much adulting this weekend, the bf and I wanted to treat ourselves to donuts. And I grabbed my fave: a cinnamon swirl. Topped with cream cheese. After purchasing, stepping into the parking lot, HE said, “but it’s cheese.” BOTH of us forgot my cheese-free Lent. And as I picked at the donut, he convinced me it was frosting, with some cream cheese. And I enjoyed it, thank you very much.

Though I am doing fine today, and have not partaken in pizza, pasta, and so many cheesy goodness these last couple weeks, I still feel unsatisfied by that loophole. Sure, the opportunity was that amazing piece of pastry. But the cost? I feel I let myself down, as well as the community who are also attempting the Lenten tradition of abstaining. But I only told a few people, so my inner circle isn’t radically disappointed (but now I am telling you, the Internet). So if it’s meant to be to keep this Lenten tradition going, it’s up to me.

I finished my online coursework on Saturday, not Monday.
What this means? A nerdy weekend by myself.

This one perhaps hurt the most. I have documented goals that I study every Sunday and Monday. I list the “school” week starting as Monday, so if I have last-minute homework or I want to review before the next week starts, I finish on Sunday. That. Didn’t. Happen. I just started this Moralities of Everyday Life course, and unlike my last course, Science of Well-Being, I am being exposed to new names of similar theories.

It’s been fantastic learning but intimidating. (Did you know, it’s possible conservatives and liberals may have different views on morality, based on how they define it? Such as, how do you weigh fairness versus authority?) As a result of newness, I had to give myself more time for the class. And though I did some homework on Monday, it wasn’t enough. So Saturday was more pixels than I’m used to, instead of people time. And though this was good time for myself, it was also by myself. Therefore, I missed quality time.

But the overall lesson in taking breaks from habits? I am a human being and will survive. I LOVE routines and strive to stuff a day with good habits. But if I don’t make a habit for the day, I can still strive to achieve that goal the next day. The chain can start again the next day. How about you? Do you assign yourself breaks? Or do you need to start new habits? Let me know with a comment and see you next week, 3/14!