Lose Yourself
I forgot what day it was today. I did not attempt this on purpose, but it just so happened to work out. Most days it is difficult to complete the task of forgetting what day it is, but not today. I am on vacation in a remote location, and this location has neither phone service nor internet connection. See, my wife surprised me with a trip to Patagonia, one of the more beautiful and quiet places I have ever been, and this place just begs you to unplug. This allows me to completely disregard my phone and the persistent calendar that comes along with it. Before you ask, I am writing this chapter in a good old-fashioned notebook. Remember those? Despite the completely off the radar feel, we still have somewhat of a schedule on this vacation, but it has not been planned by me. I am along for the ride and loving every minute. Today I knew what day of the itinerary it was (Day 3), but did not consider the actual day of the week. Glorious.
Today felt good for many reasons. I cannot remember the last time in life that the day of the week was not absolutely clear to me. It likely could go as far back as a summer day during junior high school, before summer jobs took over and real-life took hold. I would like to think it has happened more recently than that, but I do not believe it has. If it has, it was not as memorable or meaningful as today’s forgetfulness. The feeling was so good that I attempted to not figure out the day of the week for as long as I could. Unfortunately, as with many things, once I set my mind to not knowing, it made it more and more difficult. It did not take long to realize it was indeed Wednesday. But the letdown of being brought back into reality did not sting as much as I thought it would. Those few moments of bliss more than made up for it. It felt good not to care about a schedule or a weekly meeting, even if only for a short period of time.
When I started walking down memory lane, I realized that the anchor of a schedule was always present. I spent several of my formative years in the US military. I am sure there are professions that are stricter with schedules and times, but I cannot think of one. During my years on active duty, it would have been impossible to forget the day of the week. You were held accountable for your whereabouts, even on your off days. You constantly thought about what you needed to accomplish the following day. You had to know when your next medical appointment, performance report, physical training test, or day at the firing range was. There was little reprieve from the relentlessness of the schedule. Even before raising my right hand and joining the military, my day job kept that calendar entrenched in my mind. My earlier jobs all consisted of shift work, making the specific time and day that much more important. Add high school and college to that workload, and you never had enough days off to even think about forgetting. So this brings me back to the summers of junior high school. This was prior to having any real job or any real responsibility. I am confident that I lost track of the days at this point. So it has been, what, 25 years or more? Wow.
At 39, I am not sure if this situation—the calendar—is better or worse than when I was 24. I suppose there is a bit to both sides of the coin here. If I compare my current career situation with those time-restricted military days, my schedule does not seem like such a drag. I have more freedom of movement, so to speak, and can control my schedule to a point. On the other hand, I have a lot more responsibilities these days, both at work and at home. I have spoken on those ad nauseam, so I am sure you already get the point. One positive of this increased responsibility is the benefits you receive if you are willing to take them on. My wife and I now have the means to take long, and remote, trips that allow the knowledge of the weekday to slip from our minds, if even momentarily. I am provided with numerous days off and seem more willing to take them, knowing that work will still be there when I return. My life at 39 provides me with opportunities I did not have in my youth, and my plan is to take advantage of those. Perhaps forgetting what day it is should be on my to-do list for each vacation.
Today’s lesson was the importance of letting go. This is not something that most of us can do or are willing to do very often. This should not be the case, and I realized that today. Even short periods of clearing your mind from life’s concerns can be refreshing. Today was one of those occasions for me. I am not sure if we can do these mind- clearing events on purpose or plan them into our lives, but I do believe we can place ourselves in better positions for it to happen. That likely starts with the willingness to take a mental break. This can be difficult for me, and I’m sure it is the same for most people. But it is important and refreshing. I wish I could provide the perfect game plan on how to get into the proper mindset to let go, but I am not sure that exists. Just start with the knowledge that it is important. Then put yourself in a situation where it is possible. Throw out the calendar for a week, shut down the phone for a bit. Cancel that next meeting or take a random day (or two) off. Tuesday will be there when you get back. 9:00 a.m. will roll around every day. Start today, whatever day it may be.
-Houston Bailey (@BumpBailey)