Craig Who?
“Er… hello? Anyone there?”
(face pressed pathetically against the computer screen, eyes darting from side to side)
“It’s me”, he says… peering forlornly into cyber-space.
“Remember me? I used to write here on a regular basis.”
“You know, the tall, slim one with those long flowing locks… kind of like a Viking.”
“That’s it; Craig the Viking Blogger…”
Good grief. See what happens when I have a few days off? I regress.
Or is it relax?
Grown-up-ness
That’s okay, I find being grown-up all the time to be intellectually and creatively cumbersome anyway; kind of like wearing a wet woolen coat. It’s good to take it off and feel the sun on my back once in a while. 
To be totally honest, sometimes I get sick of dragging my grown-up-ness around with me. Not all the time, just now and then. Does it show? Sometimes I want twelve year-old Craig to come out and take charge for a while. He knows how to have fun. Usually not in corporate situations though. Thankfully.
Sometimes our best plan is no plan (just for a day or two). I know this suggestion might seem somewhat contradictory coming from me, but there comes a point when even focused, committed, passionate and productive people need to re-charge, switch off, think less and do less. And lose the serious face. Not forever of course, but long enough to clear the cerebral fog, to ditch the anxiety and to regain some lost perspective. And maybe to laugh and smile a little. Sometimes we plan ourselves to death. If not, exhaustion.
When our plan comes at the cost of balance, fun, happiness and health (and it often does) then we need a better plan. A new plan. The busy person with loads of money – but no balance, no fun, no happiness and no health – is not a successful person. Not by my standards anyway.
A Freestyle Day
If what I’ve written above resonates with you then I want you to install a new term into your cerebral hard-drive: Freestyle Day. A freestyle day is a day without plans. Without a schedule. Without an alarm clock. And most importantly, without guilt, anxiety or excessive thinking. It may or may not involve another person or in my case, cheesecake. I know that a freestyle day is not always an easy thing for some of us to organise (or even get our head around) but when we focus on the solution and not the problem, we’ll usually find a way to make it happen. It’s definitely worth it. I have at least one freestyle day each month. Sometimes I have two a week.
In my early twenties, I had a freestyle year.
Giddyup.
Busily Miserable
Some of us simply have too many balls in the air to maintain sanity, calm and balance. Interestingly, there comes a point when the harder we work, the less we achieve. Clearly, quantity and quality are different things. Have you ever met someone who’s always busy achieving not much? It seems that for some folk, busy-ness doesn’t amount to anything particularly positive. Busy doesn’t always equal productive. Or happy. Or healthy. Sometimes busy equals stress, anxiety, poor health and an ever-increasing to-do list. Sometimes busy is just busy. Some people are so focused on building their best life that they’ve forgotten how to laugh, relax and switch off. They’ve forgotten how to be in (and enjoy) the now.
“I don’t have time for fun right now.”
They have been so busy for so long that they have lost their way and forgotten about what matters. Considering that we live in the journey, we best learn how to enjoy it. Some very busy people have a to-do list which is so huge that they end up doing fifty things badly… while simultaneously working their head, heart and body into various states of disrepair.
Then There’s Me
Having a job where I am (often) required to listen to and address people’s problems (challenges, issues) can be a tough gig at times. It can be detrimental to my emotional, mental and physical states if I don’t listen to what my body is telling me – keeping in mind that emotional and psychological stress always has a physical consequence. If I’m anxious or stressed my body will tell me. Fortunately for me, I read the signs and pay attention. While that part of my life (the mentoring and coaching part) is rewarding, challenging and interesting, it can also be exhausting, so it’s crucial for my long-term health and happiness to take time out and to manage me.
Post-RYB
When I got back from Queensland late Sunday night I was pretty exhausted or as we Aussies say… knackered. After getting up early, speaking for eight hours and flying from one end of the country to the other, I found myself perched in this very chair at eleven thirty Sunday night staring at my computer screen like some kind of Personal-Development Zombie. With my brain feeling and functioning like a bowl of porridge, I sat here and endeavored to write something mildly inspirational, amusing and insightful for my Monday readers. As I should. Good in theory… if only my four remaining brain cells and my exhausted body would have got on board with my (stupid) plan.
And then in a moment of exhausted clarity and brilliance I had an idea…
Go to bed and don’t write anything you Dickhead!
Groundbreaking concept, I know.
Remember Grasshoppers, if you don’t manage your life, it will manage you.
And you don’t want that. 
xx
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice Craig – I like the this one.
Ive read your posts for a while now. Giving yourself a “break” is something i need to work on (amongst other things of course) I have stacks of time on my hands working only a few days a week after losing my job too long ago and being unable to find anything else that I actually WANT to do. So I have a lot of time on my hands to do the “time for me – relaxing thing” my relaxation comes in the form of a reflexology massage fortnightly (or as often as I can)
I relax totally during them dont think about anything dont do anything but sit back and relax.
Then it finishes and that night i feel like I am walking on clouds.
I am an overthinker to the fullest extent , I think about everything, and yes ashamed to admit it it’s rarely positive because of things that are happening with me lately.
You’re right about the havoc that this sort of stuff does to your body.
Anyway I am hoping that the journey improves really soon, cos I am up to my eyeballs in it at the moment.
Hope everyone is having a good week
Keep the good posts coming Craig & CJ but of course remember that “time for me”
As I am regularly told….. Keep Smiling
Hey you!
Bring back that young Craig any day! Totally loved and enjoyed his laugh, naughtiness and wicked ways. Although I do see glimpses of him in some blogs!
Currently in the middle of report writing and after reading your post I am heading home to chill. Cheers x
I tend to over think heaps but then i have lots of ” me’ days as well.
yep I am the one singing to the songs while driving along mind you the kids all hide their faces.
totally embarrase the daughter while out, tell jokes to the chemist or give heaps to the doctors receptionist but they all know me by name and smile when i come in.
i remember when i was first pregnant and i had all these student doctors feeling my stomach and i turned to them and said ” yep, this is a baby not be confused with bad gas or severe bloating”.
and then asking the anethesist if he was a good “back stabber”
sometimes my being me has been mistaken for being a complete fool or an idiot and not intelligent which hurts but i shrug it off and think “this is me like it or leave it” or in the words of someone i know “whether you like me or not, is mind over matter, i dont mind, and you dont matter”
Aww Craigo! We HAVE missed you! The blogosphere is a much better place when you’re in it!! At first I thought you were breaking up with us … but then I realised you just needed a bit of space. We can be a demanding bunch and (I am guessing here) sometimes and bloke just needs some man-time!!!
Seriously though, good message. A not-often-heard message (pardon the hyphenation!)
“Considering that we live in the journey, we best learn how to enjoy it.” Nice quote.
I’m occassionally guilty of being managed by my life … so many commitments. But really only one matters.
I think down-time is infinitely easier with children. I love to just “waste” the day with my son (although it’s not really a waste) – doing not really much at all (f*ck the housework). Just chilling out, playing outside, dropping in on friends if we want, taking the dog to the beach. It’s just nice. Little kids (and some big kids) are so spontaneous … my son has taught me how to be a kid again! Among other things.
Have a nice Thursday everyone.
Em
( ) x
mmmm it’s been 6 years as working very hard helping others to acheive their goals as a pt and 5 of them without a motor bike.
Business is good, love my job but I was missing something-FUN!!
Something just for me.I was getting sapped!
After reading your blog, I realise I need some fun to fill the gap so I can keep on keepin on
The question is….. which bike!!!??
Interesting.
Nice one Craig!
I know I for one have kinda been envious of people who stay ‘looking’ lean and healthy and relatively fit while seemingly not doing much. The thought of a 5km run for them would never even happen, – their thought of exercise may be a 10 min walk to the shops. They seem to not diet, (well always eat cakes/dessert/cheese/choc when it’s on offer. But size 8 or 10???
I guess they don’t have compulsive tendancies, just eat what they need feel like, – till satisfied/not stuffed! They don’t say ‘tomorrow’ or ‘next Mon’ etc they will start eating better as they never let things get outta hand in the first time and they live in the ‘now’ instead of when they get where they want to.
I do LUV training and the endorphins I get from it, – and at times have felt very satisfied when I have met various targets. When I am out training well when the people mentioned in the above paragraph aren’t I get a weird type of satisfaction.
But if I don’t train/am off track/gain kgs etc I find I suddenly get less fit than the people in the first paragraph who seem to stay slim with what seems like less effort. That’s frustrating!
Recently I considered top figure competitors and even the likes of pro triathletes such as (Emma Snowsill, Craig Alexander). If they turned into non – active couch potatoes suddenly addicted to bingeing/sugar who kept putting off getting back on track they too could accidentally gain 20-30kg plus in less than a year and lose alot of fitness and look much worse/be less fit than those mentioned in paragraph one. I’m sure they will always be focused however so they needn’t worry!
I do enjoy the rush of getting fitter. Great post, – yep, I like the odd unscheduled day highly and can work it in to a lifestyle I’m happy with!
I can so relate to this blog! I just had another birthday on Saturday. After the glow, I had something of a ‘light bulb moment’ Hadn’t I, after all, just done that? The birthday thing, I mean! It amazes me when I think about this past year, just how much of it was a blur. I was ‘doing the right thing, at the right time’, well most of the time:0). Hey, I usually bring to the table, some really great attributes… ‘being focused, going beyond, being dependable’. My mom is proud! But…. I have been thinking alot this week, about my joyful moments… I am a happy sort of person, but what about my moments that fill me up and make sense of the great attributes, that push me to be focus, go beyond and be dependable. Sadly,on one level, that is, I can’t recall so much of the joy thing… I see the accomplishments, that makes me feel a sense of, well, accomplishment. And, sure I had some real joy last year, I’m not a zombie, after all! But more, I think that I have been flogging myself to be, do and become. So much so, that I miss the parts that really matter infinitely more.
Anyway, from South Texas to you Craig, in Aussieland… you are so right on here. I am committing my intentional southern self to having a different year, this year! There, I said it!
Most Happy Thanksgiving,
Victoria
in Houston Tx.
Craig, did you really call yourself a dickhead?
Well, I really get your point on how your job can be draining, when you have to be a supportive, active listener, dealing with people’s really deep issues.
Although I’m not contributing what you are with your work, sometimes I feel like I should charge therapists’ fees for giving facials. Some of the clients who don’t fall asleep just lie there and share the deets on ALL manner of personal mayhem.
I’m a sensitive person so I just absorbed all the pain like a sponge, or I would feel like giving people lectures-like stop complaining and be grateful for all your blessings. Not a good plan if you want to stay in business.
I’ve had to learn to “protect my own energy” because if I didn’t, I definitely devolved into a zombie state by the end of the day.
“Freestyle days,” lots of outdoor exercise, having fun, and like Kristy, massage is key for me.
Besides that I’m super vigilant about not letting negativity in, often reminding myself to let it bounce off. It is controllable.
Cheers to you all, and to everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving, have a great feast on Thursday.
That freestyle year you had Craig? Would that have been the year you tore your pec?
OUCH +++
On a serious(ish) note, what a timely message this is for me. Lately I’ve recognised that I had no ‘fun’ in my life. I’ve moved interstate a couple of times in the past 10 yrs (and intrastate many times) and it makes it a tough gig to develop a supportive social network. I hate being lonely. A typical Monday’s conversation starter goes something like this: “How was your weekend? What did you do?” My response is always “didn’t really do anything.” Boring. It made me feel flat. Honestly, I need to give it time to establish my supportive social network. And it does take time. I’d so much rather have 3-4 real close friends than 20 aquaintances who couldn’t care less about me, what I’m doing and my life journey. After 2 1/2 months of being back in Brisbane I actually am starting to meet some amazing people that soon I’ll be able to call ‘close friends.’ I’m excited! It takes desire, effort and ACTION on my part and… this time… I’m all in.
* Note to self: Jules – don’t move interstate again, please, I’m begging you!
Craig you would have only been a dickhead if you had stayed up to write a blog on Monday.
Freestyle year I like it and have made a decision to have one of those in 2018 when the kids have left school. Nothing like a long term goal.
In the meantime I’ll stick to Freestyle Friday. Time out to enjoy the bush, regenerate the body and soul does wonders – the wonders of having a tree (me) change.
Good post, I generally know when I need time out but unfortunately my work doesnt always agree.. 3 more weeks to a holiday………..
Cheers Kristy
Hugs for you Mary Anne – those were the days weren’t they? x
How could anyone not like you Gail?
I wouldn’t break up with you Em… I’d have no cyber-friends..:)
Plus, you’re grouse (n’ that) x
Now Tssvp – you’re speaking my language…
Tell me what capacity, style and price(ish) and I’ll give you my thoughts. It also depends on your physical size (height), skill level and how and where you’re going to use it…
So excited..
Anon N.
Ta.
Cheers Pip..
Happy (late) birthday and happy thanksgiving Victoria. Hugs for you (( ))
Hi Craig,
I’m only looking under the $14 000 . I’m just going to be a weekend warrior on wheels and a have quick tear about during the week for a coffee and pick up some milk type rider.
I’m looking at 600’s. My last 2 bikes were R6’s. I’m 5″ 7, 60kgs and a bit rusty in my skills after 5 years without a bike, hopefully it will all come rushing back with the adrenaline and endorphins though!
I’m a little torn between a second hand zx600r limited edition (it’s silver has flames on it, red wheels (it’s a girl colour thing) and a new suzuki sv650r. Quite different bikes, so I need two bikes obviously! Any suggestions of others?
cheers Tess
I actually did Lisa – but don’t tell anyone
Will you give me a facial when I come to the states? I promise I won’t ‘unload’ on you
.
We miss out on thanksgiving in the Land Down Under but happy thanksgiving to you – enjoy your day x
Yeh Jules – stop moving!
Enjoy your Freestyle Fridays Nat
Enjoy that holiday Kate
Hi Tess (again) – so you’re a sports-bike girl?
Hmm, if you’re after bang for your buck and you want something that looks and goes nicely – Hyosung (I know, I know) have just brought out a new fuel-injected version of their GT650R. They look and go great (sexy in red) – if you can get over the brand snobbery that many bike folk have. One of those will set you back abou ten grand on the road – maybe less if you haggle. I rode a friends’ recently and it surprised the crap out of me. Nice bike.
Having said that, all of the new six hundreds are great these days – so it comes down to personal choice..
A few weeks back I picked myself up a new GSX 1400 – not massively sexy but kinda cool and good for a big unit like Moi!
Good luck and keep me posted x
Craig, you’ll be well taken care of.
If I’m not too starstruck.
Thanks Craig,
I am feeling like the kid that’s been accidentally locked in the toy and lolly department of Myer overnight without parental guidance. Will keep you posted when the bike chooses me
Tess
Craigo … can I get in on this bike action??
Can I tells ya about my dream bike??
It’s the Felt S32 … oh man, it’s beautiful.
It runs Shimano 105 and it has a carbon aero fork, custom butted and shaped aluminum Superlite tubing, and aero wheels.
It’s red and white and around $3000 …
… what? Oh, oops, wrong type of bike …
My bad!!!
( ) x
Aaaah Em.
Peddling is so 1926.
And apparently it puts stress on your heart.
Get a motor girl.
x
Hi Craig,
I love reading your posts. I was in a situation which took me 23years to realize I never made me time. There for everyone else my job,parents,in-laws,husband and children. Unfortunately when the time came and I realized, it was too late. I collapsed with many health conditions taking over my life and basically not having the freedom or time I desperately wanted and deserved.
Through books,websites (as yours) I had to learn to cope and stand again,but the biggest lesson I learnt was I had choices. This journey made me re-assess my life.
I no long do things I don’t feel like doing, I started to explore what I do enjoy and I’ve stopped running around for everyone. It’s about me now.
Our biggest gift to ourselves is to be there for ourselves, don’t keep putting ‘you’ on hold because eventually you may not be left with many choices.
I have grown alot through this journey but I had to learn the hard way.
Welcome back Craig.
This site is so empty and meaningless without your “Craigisms”…..
You are the best.
Gullu
Sure is that is why we SPIN…
Think my club members might realize when I go from being a shizenhausen cyclist to kicking the arses!!!
Try having your insides stretching, that forces one to take time off
and miss committements, such as coffee nights 
. But I’m better 
First time reader here. This is an excellent post. Great points on this post that can really empower.