Tiny Stories of Change - My Heavy Bag

Story 1 - My Heavy Bag

When I get home from work, I walk upstairs and unload my heavy bag and gym gear.

However, this week I was so tired I didn't feel like going straight upstairs.

Usually, I would plow through, and even if I was dog tired, I would go upstairs. Like a robot, I would put myself into pain.

However, this time I caught myself. I realised I don't have to go upstairs.

I left my bag at the bottom of the stairs and went into the kitchen to eat dinner.

I sat on the couch and ate dinner watching TV with my flat mate.

30 minutes later, my energy had come back a bit.

I then walked upstairs with my bags without the burdening thought that 'I just have to do it'.

This may not look like much, but it is me noticing my thoughts and changing my action resulting in an easier life.

Story 2 - 5pm

It was close to 5pm on a Tuesday and people were starting to leave the office.

I had a question for a co-worker that I wanted to ask.

I could see my co-worker was tired and I know they normally finish work at 5pm.

I held off from asking my question. I decided to wait until tomorrow morning, when both of us would be fresher.

In the past, I would plow through without consideration of someone else's needs, without any emotional intelligence.

I would try and gain what I wanted at the expense of others.

However, behaving without emotional intelligence was not good for me either.

Because, if we use the example above, my co-worker would give a flat answer as he was tired and ready to go home. Therefore, I wouldn't receive what I wanted.

By having patience and waiting until an appropriate time, a better conversation could be had, with both of us feeling better.

Thanks to self-reflection, I have been able to see myself and make tiny changes. 🙏