New Beginnings
What happened when I tried a soft start
This year we tried something new when we started back to school. Instead of diving into the deep end by piling on a full load of work from day one we did a soft start.
Usually I’m an all-or-nothing kind of gal; when I make up my mind to do something I do it all the way, right from the get go. Easing in doesn’t appeal to me in the same way as full steam ahead. (Not that I’ve never eased into anything or that I don’t see value in a slow start, but generally speaking I prefer not to drag out the process.)
But this year circumstances outside my control forced my hand and I had to face the fact that my normal strategy would not cut it. This was the year of the soft start, the year for easing in and narrowing our focus.
Turns out there’s something to this soft start business. By focusing on doing a few things well we were able to build sustainable habits that are already standing us in good stead as the year has progressed.
But even better than the good habits that we’ve built was the way our relationships had room to breathe and grow. Instead of having relationship triangles that veered toward the unhealthy side with too heavy an emphasis on all the work, we had enough space to allow us to stay stable and enjoy one another’s company. That was something I was not expecting, though in hindsight it makes perfect sense.
As we have once more taken on the full load of school work and settled in for the long haul I am trying my best to protect and maintain the space — not by slacking on the amount of work that gets done, but instead by keeping relationship at the center, right where it should be.
I’m sure it won’t all be smooth sailing from here on out — that’s just not possible this side of paradise — but I’ve gained another bit of understanding about how to guide the ship, and I already see it standing us in good stead.