Sophie Rockwell

Where do you stand on the glass half-empty or half-full debate?

I’ve always felt in the middle of this debate, unable to fully embrace one side or the other. To me, it depends entirely on the situation. Did you just fill the glass up half way? Then it’s half-full. Was it full and you just drank half of it? Then it’s half-empty. What does that make me and am I missing the point?

Today I had a new thought: I need to focus on how to fill the glass all the way up instead of questioning its fullness and how it got there.

There have been seasons in my life where my glass is completely full, maybe even overflowing, and my life is full of abundance. And there have been other seasons where my glass feels bone dry and I am running on empty. In my current season, I feel like my glass should be full, but instead it feels dangerously low. Some days it’s not enough to remind myself of everything I have to grateful for. Some days I need more.

I made a list of 4 things I can do this week (key word – this week) to help fill my cup back up. I have some bigger activities I could add to this list, like volunteering and finishing a home project, but keeping things small and manageable during times like this where I’m overwhelmed with life is very important.

1. Planning a Vacation or Event

Shifting my focus on future events give me something to look forward to. Planning everything we need to pack from the sunscreen to stroller keeps my brain occupied on positive thoughts. It’s a win-win situation, because not only do I have something fun to look forward to, but planning things out ahead of time helps curve the anxiety I feel when leaving for a big trip. I tend to worry about every little detail, but when I’ve spent the time going over those details in advance, my anxiety levels are lower.

2. Painting

Creating art of any kind feeds my soul in ways other activities do not. It feels so good to get an image out of my head onto paper. Sometimes I don’t love what I created and other times I feel proud, but either way it fills my cup to do something creative. I’m lucky that my kids like to paint as well and they let me teach them about the artists I love. We’ll turn on some classical music, lately it’s been Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and enjoy some screen-free time, which is not an easy task.

3. Having a Dance Party

I grew up dancing ballet and, while I’m not dancing ballet formally any more, I love to share my joy of dance with my kids. In the evenings after dinner, we’ll throw on whatever style of music we’re feeling that day and just be silly. It might also be the fact that I’m moving my body and releasing endorphins that makes this activity a positive impact on my day.

4. Making Plans for my Garden

Spring is my absolute favorite season. I love the way it refreshes us after a long, cold winter. I’ve slowly been expanding my garden along with my knowledge of gardening and this year I’m focusing on native perennials that will bring lots of bees and butterflies to our yard. Thinking of all the colorful plants and flowers that I will be able to enjoy in just a couple short months gives me a lot to look forward to.

What are some activities that help you fill your cup back up when you’re running low?