I remember swimming lessons growing up and having to tread water in the deep end of the pool.
You're far enough from the edge so you can't grab onto it.
But you're close enough to paddle to safely.
But you have to stay out there, treading water, until the stopwatch says you've been out there long enough.
Treading water isn't so bad at first.
I find it almost even relaxing.
It's a different change of pace from swimming laps.
Your head stays above water and you just focus on keeping your body moving to keep it that way.
Treading water is a safety skill. It's necessary and an important part of swimming.
But what happens when we tread water outside of water?
That's what grad school has been like for me.
Sometimes, and sometimes often, I find myself thrown into survival mode.
Not enjoying all that water has to offer...just treading water...trying to keep my head above water.
It's exhausting.
And I'm convinced that we were not made to tread water for long.
When do you find yourself treading water?
I'm sure treading water looks different for others but for me it means
;having laundry piled up and scrambling to find clothes for clinic
;studying for an exam no more than two days in advanced
;studying for quizzes the morning of the quiz
;zoning out to netflix just to avoid having to deal with the chaos
;putting off reconciling finances
;being hesitant to commit to anything
;rarely getting a supply room order in on time for clinic
;getting confused with meeting times cause your calendars don't match
;taking it not only day by day, but rather more hour by hour
You see, I can handle that life for a little while. But there comes a point when I'm exhausted from it all. I find myself not enjoying life but rather surviving it.
So how do we go from treading water to swimming laps again?
;set time aside to figure things out. make time to figure out how you're going to make time
;cut tasks out that aren't vital
;prioritize what needs to get done first
;organize your space
;go for it
For the last few weeks, I started to recognize that I had been treading water but just didn't take the time to suck it up and figure stuff out.
Well, I finally took charge.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."- Jesus //john 10:10
Let's strive to live life abundantly. And let me tell ya, no amount of time treading water leads to an abundant life.
Step One: Go to Starbucks and sit there for hours. Work on those assignments and case reports you've been putting off. Drag your best friend with you and tell her to take a casual picture of you getting work done. Classic.
Step Two: Get fed up with how ridiculously messy your apartment has become. Go crazy. Get on comfy clothes, throw your hair up, and pick a good Pandora station. Clean your little heart out. Vacuum. Wipe everything down. Might as well scrub that shower too, go ahead, you'll feel better.
Step Three: Admire your work. Light some candles. Be reminded that His grace is sufficient. But don't admire it for too long cause you gotta run out the door to do another night at Starbucks.
Step Four: After you're done cleaning, drag your best friend back to Starbucks. Put glasses on cause your eyes are tired and you just cleaned like a warrior. Keep working on case reports. This time, take your own selfie and hope the dude next to you doesn't notice.
Step Five: Invite yourself over to have dinner at the Dillard's house. Take some time to relax and try to forget about those case reports. When dinner is over and you've caught your breath, do. more. work. Remember to take another selfie.
BAM.
You've done it.
You turn in your assignments, enjoy your clean living space, and you can officially breathe.
You're done treading water.
But lady, it's time to start swimming some laps.
Cause you still have 72 days left 'til summer.
