Loose energy

A drawing I made back in May. For this one, I filled in shapes (on an iPad) and then removed the borders.

I’ve been sharing a lot of tips and tricks lately—from how to read more to how to worry less. But here’s one I can’t figure out: when I’m jangling with loose energy at the end of a packed day, how do I settle down?

I got home this evening after a dense and totally satisfying day at work. I set to scrubbing the pans in the sink, black from cooking burgers earlier this week. (How do I get them all the way clean? I haven’t managed yet.) Then, I plopped onto the aquamarine couch and started scrolling through my phone, tapping away, quick-switching apps. Aware that I was being mindless; troubled, a bit, but also clinging to the hyper state that was starting to fade.

I wanted to stay in that energy valence, but the arc was over. I feel a better me would have done some deep stretching, possibly by candlelight, as I wound down. Instead, I’m just in bed by 10. Which, come to think of it, is close.