We spend too many days at our desks as well as nights.  For an example, I have been working on the same issue since 9am.  It is now 4:30am the next day.  Not only was this a long day but I lost all of my work and had to start over.  I know I should wrap things up, otherwise I won’t be able to sit here all day tomorrow and continue the work.

But then it hit me, where can I find my serenity tonight?

What is Serenity?

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.

How can we as web developers ever have true serenity?  How can we be calm, peaceful, and untroubled when we know that things break, a quick fix may end up taking a whole day to fix, and the big bad – emergencies only happen right as you are running out the door?

Everyone’s situation is different.  Someone who is completely miserable will probably not find serenity unless they change fields while many of us like what we do, we just get so focused we don’t get up and take breaks.

Here are a few quick moments of serenity you can achieve and still have a full work day:

1.) Get in the habit of taking breaks.  Easier said than done, I know, but if you are like me, you do not take breaks until your body starts to ache. This is very bad.  The goal should be to take small breaks while you feel good to help revive your senses and keep your muscles from growing tired.

Here are a few simple ideas:  Walk outside and stand in the sun for a minute.  One minute will feel amazing.  Stay out longer if you can.   Run a quick errand like going to the post office, getting gas in your car, or returning something you borrowed to your neighbor.  5-10 mins outside of your home office is the goal.   Talk to people.  Crazy, I know, but idle chat can get your mind off of your job and refuel you.

The little piece of serenity that I enjoy is looking at pictures that take me to some other place.  This is one of those (featured image on this post).  I took this picture a couple of weeks ago in Ohio.   For just a moment, I find peace, a feeling of calmness, and I am untroubled.  Serenity.

 

What is your daily moment of Serenity?