What's on the horizon?

Knowing what's coming up can help you get through tough times

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio. Good Morning,
This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's
tip is that life feels more doable when you have
special things to look forward to. So as you are

(00:24):
reviewing your schedule, ask yourself, what's on the horizon. What
am I genuinely looking forward to? This lets you enjoy
anticipating what's coming up, or if you realize there's nothing
fun coming up, you have an opportunity to rectify that situation.

(00:46):
So it's good to try to enjoy the moment we're in,
whatever the future holds. But I know that many adults'
lives can feel like a long string of half to dos.
Work is fine, but it's work. You love your kids,
But spending a Saturday driving back and forth between a
wrestling meet and someone else's swim meat and a piano

(01:08):
lesson trying to get to all of it can feel
like a slog. We are probably less focused on things
that are purely fun for us. But while all of
life can't be bliss, having something you are looking forward
to can make life feel less like a slog. If
winter weather is feeling dreary, knowing you are Going to

(01:30):
Florida in March can remind you that winter isn't interminable.
If work is stressful, signing up for a weekend yoga
retreat can help you sprint through the busy season. You
know that rest and restoration are around the corner. If
you are feeling worn out by the demands of work
and family, a bedtime disaster will feel less overwhelming if

(01:55):
you know the next night is your monthly get together
with your book club, even if you are feeling busy,
and in fact, maybe especially if you are feeling busy,
getting something special on the horizon can help you get
through that hard time. And let's be real, if we
don't plan fun in advance, it is unlikely to happen spontaneously. Lately,

(02:18):
I've been thinking through the arc of the month at
the beginning of each month, what are the highlights and
major things I have coming up. This practice has the
practical benefit of helping me make sure I am prepared
for anything big. The deadline for a book chapter won't
sneak up on me. If we're going on a vacation

(02:39):
that requires packing bathing suits, I can make sure everyone
has one that fits. But reviewing the arc of the
month in advance has emotional benefits too. It lets me
start looking forward to and preparing for the special things
that are coming up. I can decide what book I'll
pack for a long plane ride without any kids with me.

(03:02):
I can listen to recordings of a piece of music
I'll get to hear live. On the other hand, if
I look at the arc of the month and there's
not a lot that I'm excited about, I still have
time to plan something. Thirty days is enough time to
arrange for many things. So the next time you are
doing your weekly planning, also look forward a little bit further.

(03:27):
Notice the big things on the horizon. Of course, prepare
for anything you need to, but also think about what
you are genuinely looking forward to, and if there isn't something,
now is the time to make it happen. In the meantime,
this is Laura. Thanks for listening, and here's to making

(03:50):
the most of our time. Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast.
If you've got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach
me at Laura at Laura vandercam dot com. Before Breakfast

(04:15):
is a production of iHeartMedia. For more podcasts from iHeartMedia,
please visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you
listen to your favorite shows.