If you had to describe the rhythm of your days at the moment, I wonder what it would
be?

Slow, everlasting bass beats? Scurries of pitter patter, the odd cymbal crash every so often? Constant murmuring of off-beats? A bit of slow, a bit of slam, a few bangs, some fast beats and a whole mish mash?

From the steady and known structures of every day life, many of us are now left to
fend for ourselves – to set our own pace of the day, to make decisions about what to
do when. Many of us might not even feel able to make those decisions – exhaustion,
apathy, boredom might prevail… or perhaps there’s constant push-back against those
around us who want to structure our days for us, or inflict their pace on us.

In music, rhythm is what gives sounds form and cohesion. Melody and harmony and
improvisation entwine beautifully together because of how the rhythm brings a sense
of movement, continuity and flow.

It’s the same for our lives. Rhythm keeps us steady. It enables us to keep moving
forward, it makes basic decisions for us (we eat, we sleep, we work) and it allows us
to navigate curveballs that come our way (like unexpected life events, high-stress
events) and to enjoy breaks from the norm (like holidays, festivals and parties) – but
the norm is what keeps us ticking over – the rhythm of our lives keeps us going, and
growing.

At this time when so many of our known rhythms are gone – you get to choose your
rhythm (or mostly!) You get to choose fast or slow, work and rest, online/offline,
connection with people/embracing alone time.

Without a rhythm we can lose ourselves and oceans of time just scrolling, or
responding to every urgent need, or mindlessly staring.

With rhythm – you get to choose how to live, what you’ll do, and the person you want
to be. You get to choose to… create, to work, to rest, to play, to try real solitude, to
socialize well… you get to choose to be kind, thoughtful of others, generous – but to
do all this – you need rhythms that bring you alive and bring you life.

Perhaps, to start thinking about the rhythm you want to live in, – find a song you love
which has great rhythm to it. Pay attention to the beats, the speed, the different
melodies…how might how you spend your days relate to this rhythm? What are the
parts of your day you want to be ‘loud’, which bits will have a strong melody, which
bits will be more calm and quiet, what basic rhythms (like when you eat, sleep, rest and
exercise) will play on underneath you?

And as you find a rhythm emerge, notice in yourself how it can bring a sense of
peace as you trust your rhythm, a sense of movement rather than stagnation. Watch
how it brings you productivity and maybe even joy.

Enjoy creating your rhythm!

Beth

Check out the Instagram page @holdingtreasure to add a short reflection time into
the rhythm of each day.
I am still available to meet with students online on Tuesdays during school hours. Please contact me if you would like to talk [email protected]