We need time to FAFF!

I NEED TO GIVE MYSELF SO MUCH SPACE TO DO SMALL THINGS

Good afternoon, Carousellers.

I hope wherever you are you can take one breath in and one breath out, look at the sky and notice one cool thing in nature.

A week ago I sent a permission-giving Carousel.

Many of your replied to say you were also in a pyjamas at 4pm kinda day.

Ahh, it’s so nice to know that writing honestly gives permission to you too.

Today, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of having time to FAFF when we’re doing new, uncomfortable things.

I’m training for the Hackney half.

On Saturday I knew I had to do a 30 minute run. I set my alarm for 9am, I finally got out of the door at 12:30pm.

I didn’t have another commitment until the evening so I had given myself 9 HOURS to do a 30 minute run. It struck me that I needed every minute of that 9 hour window to make it happen.

I needed to sleep in and faff.

I needed to procrastinate putting my trainers on.

And I needed time afterwards so I wasn’t rushing on to the next thing.

Old me would have had very unrealistic expectations - ‘‘I’ll get up at 9, run, shower and meet a friend for coffee in town by 11am.’’

AS IF, SARAH

Inevitably, I wouldn’t get up at 9 and either miss the run or be late to my friend (or usually both).

Not having much time to do something I have to do is a real motivator, but when it’s something I don’t have to do? I need a BIG window to play with.

It makes me think of skiing. I recently went back to the slopes for the first time in 14 years. I’m not very good so I need really wide mountains to feel comfortable. Sheer drops and narrow slopes completely paralyse me, even if the skiing I’m doing is the same, it calms me to know I have wiggle-room.

Really, I think this is about self-compassion. Not rushing ourselves or putting too much pressure on ourselves. Giving ourselves so much space to get it wrong, build up to it, go easy.

Is there anything right now that you want to make time for in your life, but you’re somehow never making time for it? Are you giving yourself enough FAFF time?

I know that over time my confidence will build up and I will need a smaller window to get out for a run, but for now it feels good to recognise how much space I need to start.

Have a lovely week and well done for all the small wins you’re seeing. THEY ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT.

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Some nice things for your eyes and ears…

🎧 Listen: My co-host at Boogaloo Radio is away so I have invited a series of friends to help run the shows with me. Last week Donna Easton, a Joyologist, was on the show. We had such a fun time talking about how to bring a little bit of joy into your life! Listen back here: great chats, great music (musical theatre and Disney definitely have their moment) and lots of laughter.

📺 Watch: Yesterday at my Day of Musical Joy we did a Backstreet Boys Medley and an Alanis Morissette medley. I think we sound blaaady brilliant!

🎧 Listen: I really enjoyed this podcast with Rye Laughs veteran Mae Martin on how we talk about sexuality (spoiler alert, it’s really not just about what gender we’re attracted to).

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On my Carousel…

🧑🏻‍🏫 Continuing my work doing 1:1 coaching with teachers. I love it so much. It’s amazing to be back in education and feeling that I’m making an impact. I also love feeling part of a school community again. If you know any headteachers, who could benefit from coaching in their schools, please send them my way :)

🎙Boogaloo Breakfast Radio Show (see above) I’m really enjoying the new skill of being on the desk (including being let loose on all the Sound FX…)

🛑 Getting into a Rhythm with my Knowing When to Quit podcast. Catch up on my episode with Kim Willis here about whether at some point we have to quit the idea of having children (it’s had hundreds of downloads).

Until next time my loves,

Sarah x