Rhythm and Routines: The Inside Scoop
As I brainstormed ideas for this month’s content, I craved a fresh voice to shake things up. Guest posts crossed my mind but were swiftly dismissed - lightbulb moment - I’d conduct an interview! Cue the “who?” dilemma. Swiftly, my gal pal Christine Duke-Tighe popped into my head. With her charm and a move from Charleston to Durham, she was the perfect candidate to chat about rhythm and routines in different spots. So, without further ado, here’s a sneak peek into our chit-chat via email of course…
It was a partly cloudy morning as I sat in my office. The sky wore a light blue hue. The sun played hide-and-seek behind the clouds, painting the sky with streaks of light. I typed away on my computer with questions I wanted to hear Christine answer.
The usual sounds of birds and people walking about the neighborhood on a Sunday morning at 8am. A calm before the rush of a beautiful spring day bringing the neighborhood out in drives for yard work. The office ambience with fresh plants, candle burning, and breakfast wafting from the kitchen instantly captured my attention. I sipped on my vanilla latte and settled into type up longing questions I wanted to have the answers to. Then, there it was - I found my inspiration to dive right in.
Our interview journey kicked off…
How did you shake up your daily grind when you swapped Charleston for Durham?
Initially, I settled into my new home without much change, as I enjoy being at home. The lack of a job reinforced this, and not knowing many people kept me indoors. Eventually, I found a job, made friends, but then the pandemic hit, prompting us homebodies to stay put. Despite being an introvert, I realized the value of human interaction beyond Zoom calls, which uplifted me. To seek more of that, I transitioned to my current job, which significantly improved my mental well-being and work environment. Surrounded by colleagues who feel like family and a sense of ownership, work doesn’t feel like a chore. Although the new job comes with daily challenges, I turn to my Jenism’s, yoga, and meditation to stay grounded and navigate through it all.
Ever felt like you were swimming in a sea of spare time? If yes, spill the beans on how you mastered the art of tackling all that “extra” time - how long did it take to hit your stride?
I have a group chat with my friends who are all moms managing their careers and some even pursuing further education. It can be overwhelming at times, making me question how I spend my time since I don’t have kids or plan to return to school. This leads me to ponder my purpose, but my job helps me stay grounded and fuels my inner drive. Balancing work and personal time is crucial, as I often find myself simply watching TV, doing puzzles, cleaning, and being with my husband, who also works a lot. I aim to find activities that rejuvenate me during my downtime. The warmer weather has me eager to spend time outdoors and gardening, although my back issues limit my physical activities.
So, spill the tea! How did Durham shake things up for your routine?
Durham presents challenges compared to Charleston due to its dispersed nature, requiring drives or using highways to reach shopping or fitness spots. When I searched for nearby yoga studios, I realized I could only walk to a few. I once hired a personal trainer before the pandemic and then again before my wedding, but I lacked motivation both times. Self-motivation is something I struggle with. Back in Charleston, I exercised with a group of girls who kept me accountable and motivated me to join races. It’s amusing because in Charleston, I was close with my neighbors and we socialized often. Here, it’s different, we only know a few neighbors in passing and assist each other with tasks like pet care. Durham is definitely pushing me to put in more effort!
Did you experience a tug-of-war between staying true to yourself and adapting to your new surroundings? And in the midst of Durham life, what’s been your secret sauce for finding your groove?
I deeply resonate with the Gemini twins zodiac sign I was born under. It feels lke there are always two sides to me: one content to spend days indoors, engrossed in puzzles and self-entertainment - “the sloth”, while the other half craves adventure, is creative, and thrives on the exhilarating post-challenge rush, earning her the title of my inner Lara Croft. The amusing part is that they can be so contrasting that I end up in a standstill, leading to a spotlessly clean house or even a remodeled one, haha! The key is to find a way for them to collaborate harmoniously or strike a balance between the two.
Lastly, any words of wisdom for those trying to juggle it all and find their own sweet spot in life?
Discover your community - and yes, I realize I should follow my own advice! Interacting with women who share similar interests re-energizes me, but I need to overcome feelings of exhaustion, laziness, and introversion. Even committing to this once a month could make a difference. Recently, while waiting for Peter at a salon, chatting with my mom about cross-stitching caught the attention of a stylist who shares the same passion. We bonded over our love for the craft, and those 10 minutes were pure bliss. It made me realize the value of connecting with women over shared hobbies like crafting, which I cherish. Perhaps I’ll look into joining a jigsaw group too!