Reclaiming Reality: My Time, Mind & Focus

                 Image: Brian Snelson/Flickr

Can we normalize that lounging around in your pjs during the weekend, sitting at the local cafe drinking your favorite brew, reading a meaningful book, repotting your plants, enjoying being in the homes, on the decks, and patios that most of us work hard to afford as noteworthy? Can we normalize the response to what did you do the weekend not making us feel inadequate because we didn’t go bungie jumping, parasailing, jet setting —or exploring a new geographical location? 

 I usually ask one of my closest friends, “What are you up to today?” And she almost always says, “Nothing (much or significant).” Inevitably as the conversation progresses she tells me how she just finished cleaning the house—how good a new candle smells that’s burning, how she is finishing up her food prep before leaving out for the gym, how she just bought a new bed comforter (linens) that make her feel good, etc. There’s always some variation of this conversation with her. Finally,  today,  I told her to stop doing that—to stop minimizing her days to insignificant. Also, I committed that I am going to stop framing the question in a way that makes her or anyone feel that they have to answer with a list of performance based—adrenaline-filled responses. Because that is by no means my intention. All I want to know and encourage is that you are doing and feeling well—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. This simulated, over-idealized culture of self-aggrandizing, promoting, pretentious, existence is making the ordinary seem (feel) inadequate. And here’s a news flash—most of life is ordinary. Are there extraordinary moments that take place in our lives? Well of course there are, but the reality is it’s antidotal at best for the majority of people. 

  I admit that it’s extremely tempting to share the beautiful trips, travel, images and food experiences. That said, I have back-to-back travel planned—but I am vowing to no longer share on my socials. We shall see. I definitely have to re-wire my brain to this end. Nevertheless, what matters most to me—in this era of my life, are the moments that bring joy—the glimmers that inspire hope.The things that aren’t necessarily “post” worthy like the blessing of having a prayer answered that has kept me above water. The friend who’s struggling with her reality of surviving a life-threatening illness—ensuring that she knows that the joy and excitement she gets from the scent of a new candle, the comfort of a new comforter set, the happiness of seeing her plants flourish, and the fact that despite all the pain and anguish she is enduring from an illness—that she’s still persevering to get to the gym is truly an extraordinary existence in what would otherwise be ordinary life, and there’s no need to wear a mask to present anything different. 


Copyright©️ 2026 by Christie Y. Shaw 
Pre & post editing 



#Reallife
#Reality
#ReclaimingMyBrainMyTimeandMyFocus
#Cshaw
#BEWHOYOUSAYYOUARE

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