83 - Follow the directions...then go your own way
Follow the directions…then go your own way
TL;DR:
When you’re starting a new method or system, give the whole method or system a try first for 10, 20, or 30 days (you can pick the length). Then, start iterating and adapting.
When things go off the cliff, always go back to the directions.
As I prepared for surgery a few weeks ago, I probably read the pack of pre- and post-op instructions 5 times. I made lists and reminders to make sure I took care of everything on those lists. I also spoke with friends and looked around at anything I could find on the Internet about what it would be like to recover from surgery and, as long as it didn’t contradict the doc’s instructions, I’d add that to the list. The most important find in all of those chats and Internet searches - piles of pillows to help you find a comfortable spot to lay and sit!
When I went in for surgery the nurses made note of how few people ever even read the instructions, let alone follow them.
My therapist and I were talking about this same idea during my last session. We both enjoy bullet journaling and he will introduce it to patients in his practice when he thinks it might aid them in their mental health journey and just in life in general. I’m having to come back to my own version of bullet journaling during this health situation because a) logging things is just easier in a dedicated notebook left right by where you’re supposed to log something and b) the paper makes me feel a little more comfortable in stressful situations. My version of bullet journaling resembles the version that Ryder Carroll, its creator, teaches, but it’s very custom to me. However, in this stressful time I also know that it’s valuable to go back to an almost completely standard version of the method and then build up from there.
This idea though, to follow the instructions first, and then iterate from there, is one that saves me a lot of trouble in life, although I don’t always follow it. If Gayle is reading this, I have to be honest and tell you that she’s much better with some of the devices in our house because she has read the book on all of them and can tell you exactly how they work. I sometimes skim ;-) So, as with everything, your mileage may very but stick the tool of actually following the instructions first in your toolbox and give it a try sometime.
Some Things You Might Find Interesting
What I published: Sunday evening is the first time I’ve written since surgery but hoping to get back at it a bit this week as my energy begins to return.
The final batch of our Northern Europe trip posts are now live:
Oslo, Norway - Where the hats saved the day - The video Gayle shot in this one makes me laugh every time I watch it
We’re coming home…eventually - The selfie we shot for this one just makes me laugh so much.
Advocating For Yourself in Healthcare: Doctors, Pharmacists, and Insurance Providers - Medium and Hive
American Royals Book Series: Gayle and I have pretty different reading tastes so when we find a series we both love I know it’s a pretty universal recommendation. Katherine McGee’s American Royals series has been my companion through my recovery days. It’s likely able to be classified young adult as the romantic moments are not overly descriptive. The premise of the series is that George Washington became our king instead of our first President. While the world building, other than that point, is pretty subtle, I love the things McGee has chosen to change about how the US developed. If you’re looking for a mostly fun, mostly light read, with just enough whodunnit later in the series to keep you coming back, this series is a hit for me.
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