What I’ve Learned In One Minute…

Hi friend,

I have been carrying this big work project in my mind for weeks now, it’s been of those things that follows you everywhere. You are praying for it, thinking about it, stressing over it, and still feeling grateful that you get to do work that stretches you. It drains you, but it also reminds you that you are getting better through the struggle. That was the background noise of my whole week.

But this past weekend surprised me. Not in a dramatic way. More in the small moments that make you stop and actually look at your own life again.

Friday: Black Friday, Being Scammed, and the Scent

I went to Birmingham on Friday just to look around and maybe catch some Black Friday deals. I thought it would be a simple day. It was not.

One of the most surprising things that happened was a lady trying to scam me. She had a stroller with a baby in designer clothes and a story about needing baby formula. At first it sounded real, but very quickly I realised she only wanted money. Nothing else. A moment that disappointed reminding me how far people with your generous heart for their own good.

Right after that, I met this group of young guys selling oil based colognes. They were all working together, hyping each other up, helping each other sell. It was actually inspiring to see a group of young people that focused and entrepreneurial. I did not buy anything though, because I have this rule that I do not buy anything the first time I see it. I give myself at least twenty four hours before making a decision and it saves me from myself.

Then I made a huge error. On my home, I took the 52A bus instead of the 52. And that one letter cost me almost an hour. At that point I realised that sometimes trying to save money ends up costing time and peace. The simple lesson was either read the bus signs properly or just get an Uber and end the confusion.

Most of Friday disappeared in moments like that. Nothing life changing. Just things that made me pay attention.

Saturday: Hyrox, High Protein Snacks, and Breathing Again

Saturday carried a completely different pace.

A friend came over and we went to this cafe that sells high protein snacks. It was a simple thing, but I enjoyed it. Then my gym was celebrating its one year anniversary and they had free Hyrox classes. I decided to join one. It absolutely destroyed me in the best way. I had forgotten how rewarding it feels to break a sweat. It reminded me why I love training and why I keep returning to be healed by the pain of training.

This also happened after a week where I had been waking up at four fifty every single day to train before work. I did not realise how much I had missed that part of myself. Discipline gives you a certain clarity that stress does not. I think once this project is done, I want to bring that routine back properly.

I even saw a guy hit another guy’s car while parking and pretend it did not happen. Life really had no shortage of strange moments this weekend.

Not a spectacular weekend but simply grounding.

TL;DR

I have been in a very intense headspace lately. Everything has been about getting the project right, hitting deadlines, and staying on top of things. I did not realise how loud my thoughts had become until this weekend disrupted the rhythm.

Small interruptions gave me space to breathe. A scam attempt. A group of young entrepreneurs. A wrong bus. A painful Hyrox class. A conversation with a friend. All of it made me step outside the tunnel I had been living in.

The biggest thing I noticed is that I do not slow down naturally. I only slow down when life forces me to. That might be something I need to work on.

WINS & LESSONS

Win: I reconnected with early mornings and the discipline that comes with them. It reminded me that I can always return to structure.

Lesson: Depending on how clustered and busy my life is will show in my calendar and diaries, or the lack of use at times.

QUICK HACKS

The Twenty Four Hour Rule

Giving yourself a full day before buying anything. Something that always saves me from emotional decisions. It’ll keeps your mind sharp instead of reactive.

QFYT

Where in your life do you need to intentionally slow down instead of waiting for life to force you to stop?

Alright that's it from me.

In a bit,

Motheo