How many times have you found yourself scarfing down your lunch at your desk? Throwing back breakfast in your car, on the subway or on the way to a meeting? You are not alone.
I thought this was cool that it was about to spell “Cool.” :)
As much as I love to eat (it’s my birthright as an Italian Jew), I can’t say that I spend much time really taking the time to enjoy my meal. Like most people, I’m usually doing other things.
Yesterday I was working from home, so I decided to do something I never do. Something my wise friend Judith (who I call my personal Buddha) does on the regular.
I decided to eat lunch without working, looking at my phone or even listening to WNYC. I was going to eat lunch without distractions.
Or as the song by Eric Harman goes:
“Aaaaall by myseeeelf.
I’m gonna eat (lunch)
Aaaaaall by myseeeelf”
Initially I was fidgety and not sure what to do. I was stressed about a deadline I was on, so my mind was pre-occupied with that. I tried to stay focused, but I was thinking about finishing my lunch quickly to get back to my work.
Not exactly the point of slowing down, breathing, being grateful for the food in front of you and really enjoying it.
But I will try it again.
After all, it only took about 10 minutes or so. A good break, especially if you include the 10 minutes or so it took me to make my lunch.
The other self-care thing I did, which I really succeeded at, was only check social media once after I ate and then one more time later in the day. I was incredibly focused for most of the day because I didn’t look at it until around 2:00 and then 5:30 on my way to a meeting. That is a huge self-care gift, if you ask me.
Do you step away from your desk to eat your meals? Do you inhale lunch at your desk? What about at home? Are you usually doing something else when you’re eating? Tell me below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!