Atlas of the Heart (2021)

I know why I have been finding it harder to wake up so early these days. By early, I mean 6 AM struggles... It's because I don't know what to do with myself, I don't know where I can go.

Recently, as the weather is getting warmer, it becomes less feasible to run in the morning in the park because of the hot sun. I also felt a lot of my self destructive, victimizing thoughts stemmed from being cooped up at home for too long. I get so much work done when I go to a cafe but cafes in my area open around 9 AM - 10 AM. So why'd I be up at 6 AM? 5 AM?

I thought...oh! I can write and reflect while enjoying a piece of toasted bread with tea. Even since I have been waking up at 8 AM or sometimes even 9 AM, I'd go straight into work mode and seldom have the time to stop and reflect. I noticed my daily choices have gotten poorer: eating bad quality food, spending too much time on pleasures such as social media / TV because I want to "reward" myself for working hard or getting through this "hard" time.

My recent listen to Atlas of the Heart audible shares that being content with my current situation and showing gratitude with my existing abundance is the best way for joy and happiness. So I'm going to be more mindful in that though this current set up isn't what I want, I should be content because I do have a lot:

• clean, access to water, shelter, food
• my own space
• freedom to spend my time and resources
• worry-free enjoyments
• loving relationships
• getting paid for work I am contributing to the society
• access to proper nutrients, nature, wellness activities
• the privilege to be creative