I was awake at 4am. It happens to us all, right?
I had this vague feeling somewhere -- I couldn't place it -- that something was wrong. Not horribly wrong, just a long niggling doubt.
I tried to go back to sleep, but nope.
My hips hurt from running. I had to get up at 5:30 anyway to drive rowers to the boat shed, so I stumbled in the dark to the garage, found my favourite massage device and, well, sat on a tennis ball for a while. (Too much information, but if you have hip or butt pain, rolling around on a tennis ball will help. Google 'tennis ball Piriformus Syndrome.' You're welcome.)
So I lay on the carpet, on a tennis ball, thinking.
At 4am.
As you do.
Then I remembered the Two Best Questions I've ever asked myself. They help every time.
(I heard these questions on a podcast by Brooke Castillo. She's awesome!)
So I made two lists.
What IS working?
- Fitness
- Managing our daily family routine
- Feeling positive, most of the time (which means thinking good thoughts, most of the time)
- Learning new skills
What's NOT?
- Finding time to write every day
- CLEANING OUR HOUSE (the floors, those filthy floors...)
- Date night (seriously, does this work for anyone?? If yes, tell me your tips.)
- Spending enough time with our kids
And there I had it. That last one. It was why I couldn't sleep.
If you've ever wondered what's really bothering you, try the Two Questions. The truth will land like a butterfly on your 'What's NOT working?' list.
When I know what's wrong, then I have the chance to do something about it. That's all. Fix up what's not working. No judging. No condemning. No wasting time. (I talk about that here.)
Just two simple questions to get myself back on track.
What's working in my life? What isn't?