The setting was perfect. Sun shining, gentle breeze, a glimpse of the ocean and I was in wonderful company.
It was a long overdue lunch I’d been looking forward to.
So why was I fidgeting like I had ants in my pants? Why was my mind elsewhere? Why was I not settling in to the conversation and listening to my dear friend.
Why? Because I had an itch I couldn’t reach in my back.
It all sounds silly now, crazy even, that I’d sit through my lunch with an annoying itch distracting me. But I did.
I thought it’d go away, it didn’t. I tried to rub my back against the chair, the friction made it worse.
I wasn’t listening properly either. The itch had my attention, not my friend or our conversation.
Out of respect for her, and our time together, I excused myself. Heading into the toilets I flung my dress over my head and gave my back a darn good scratch.
I can’t describe the feeling of relief. The warm, melting inside as the tension left my muscles.
I returned to the table, relaxed, smiling and fully present. Ready to listen and enjoy our long conversations.
We all know there’s nothing worse than an un-scratched itch. That niggly tingle that won’t leave you alone until you respond to it.
There are many other ‘itches’ in life. Mental and emotional ‘itches’ that we carry through life. Their annoying existence weighing us down and even holding us back.
Unread books, unanswered emails and school notices and newsletters shoved in the bottom drawer.
Ignored reports, un-filed paperwork and overdue tax returns.
Mess in cupboards, clutter across desk, dying plants and unhung artwork.
Out of date food packets, unworn clothes and socks with holes.
The many incomplete projects and tasks that litter our life and use up space in our subconscious minds.
All with the power to distract like an itch, particularly when you want to move forward.
You know how it goes….
I can’t book that holiday, buy a new car, look for a new home until…..
I can’t join the gym, lose the weight, take the course until…..
I’m stuck at this job, in this career, in this role until….
Energy zapping clutter that’s draining to think about.
Ignored tasks holding you back from tackling the things you really want to do, simply because you know they exist.
A barrage of annoyance hovering in the background, desperate to be scratched.
So what’s your itch? What mess is blocking your path? What clutter is dragging you down? What conversation are you putting off or opportunity are you holding back from?
Instead of wasting a drop of your precious energy ignoring what you know exists, decide now what you want to scratch.
Tackle the pile, answer the emails, do the ironing, clean out the pantry, file your tax.
Whatever it is, decide how you’ll take action and most importantly when.
Once you do, I promise that itchy feel will be replaced by the warm glow of achievement.
And even better, there will be more room for the good stuff you’ve been dreaming about.
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