Statistical analysis helps reveal to us what we cannot see. Statistical analysis also helps to makes sense of what we think might be happening.
I also love my readers.
My readers are the reason I write. Sure, I write for my own benefit, but any writer worth their salt is lying if they said they didn't care whether their material was ever read.
Loving both analysis and my readers, I present the following graph produced by Blogger:
The most popular post on this blog, out of 24 posts, is "2 Ways to Keep Writing in Times of Crisis" with 153 page views. The next most popular post is 62% less popular at only 58 page views.
What is it about the "Times of Crisis" most that made it so popular? I won't bore you with my own detailed assessment. Rather, I want to present a hypothesis that I believe is supported by the number of page views on the top four posts.
My hypothesis is that we are all desperate to find space for ourselves in a world convincing us that our personal well-being is no longer a priority.
So, what to do with this information?
Here are 3 ways that I work to make space for myself, regardless of what is going on around me:
1) Establish sacred spaces. Whether your "space" is a period of time (let's say, your lunch break or 20 minutes after you first get home from work), or whether you create an actual space that is only meant for you, establishing (and maintaining) sacred spaces will help to provide a vehicle for whatever it is that you need in your life.
2) Honor your preferences. If part of your "self-indulgence" is having a great cup of coffee while you start your day, don't grab a gas station brew or settle for whatever happens to be available at the office. No. Wake up a few minutes early to make a French press cuppa, or, if you're like my partner, you'll have a French press on-hand at the office. Maybe you have a particular way you like your desk set up. Or, perhaps you enjoy taking your breaks outside. Whatever your preferences are, honor them in your daily life,
3) Take time to consider before making a decision to commit. Too many times, we often feel pressured to provide immediate answers to "will you," "could you," "are you" questions. The next time someone asks you to make a decision about whether or not you want to get involved, say, "Thank you for asking. I'll think about that and let you know tomorrow." It's that simple.
I hope these posts continue to provide some insights and creative sparks for my readership. In the meantime, make space for yourself. Remember that you are your greatest resource for living a fulfilled life.
