“It’s okay to do less.” ~ Jason Fried, Co-founder of 37 Signals
“Your energy levels could be low today, which could make you feel lethargic. Perhaps your body is sending you signals that you need to rest and take it easy in order to recharge. When we feel listless, it is often because we have over-taxed our bodies–we spend so much time running and so little time resting that our bodies simply crash. In order to heal, our bodies then create barriers that ultimately prevent us from recharging ourselves. Resting in relaxation pose, however, helps us to unwind enough so that we can release the blocks we have and let in the healing energy of the universe. By giving the gift of relaxation to yourself today, your body will soon recover, and you will be filled with the loving and bountiful energy of the universe.” ~ My horoscope on 6/16/10
I hate summer colds. I can’t remember the last time I had one. All week I’ve been fighting one, and to no avail. The cold beat my will. I had so many fun things planned this week, so many events with friends, and all of them have fallen through. I finally got to work on Wednesday and by the end of a long day felt wiped out. By 4:00, my fever had returned and I broke a sweat in my cube sitting at my computer.
While I know that biologically I have some type of virus that is causing me to sleep for 12 hours at a stretch, I also think the universe has a lesson in mind. I hate colds because they cause me to be wildly unproductive. You can find me this week on my couch, a jug of orange juice in one hand and a super-sized box of tissues in the other hand. A pathetic sight.
I read this quote by Jason Fried last week in an interview he did with Brian Clark, Founder of Lateral Action and author of Copyblogger. Upon reading it, I thought, “Yeah, right. Do less? In this economy? I don’t know anyone doing less.” And this type of reaction gets me into trouble with the universe. It tempers my strong-willed “give me a break” attitude quickly, this week with a cold. Just take a look at my horoscope.
So here I am on my couch, thinking, pen in hand. Maybe doing less isn’t such a bad thing, and maybe it’s even possible for me to accomplish. I’ll consider the possibility, that’s all I’m promising. I guess I can’t run myself down filling up every single moment of free time. That won’t benefit anyone. But universe, could you at least let me have my fun times out on the town with my friends? I promise to give up some other things in return. Really.
The image above depicts the mucus monster from the popular Mucinex ads.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
“It’s okay to do less.” ~ Jason Fried, Co-founder of 37 Signals
Christa Avampato 
Awww Christa, you poor thing, you. Sorry to hear about your condition, but it’s just a temporary setback and can’t last. Don’t lose heart, you’re gonna do just fine.
My entire life I have suffered from allergies. Cold, virus, fever…I am quite familiar with those enemies of my day.
When you catch it, your world seems to break into a sweat.
And you feel lousy…trust me, I know the feeling, and you can hardly get any work done and can’t get out of bed.
I have a great remedy. This has worked for me. Hope it works for you too. Here’s what you need to do.
Boil water in any container. Add tea leaves, preferably from China or India (or a combination).
Add a bit of sliced ginger and a wee bit of sliced garlic.
Squeeze a bit of lemon (juice) and add a little honey.
Add a bit of herbs, spices, roots (to taste).
Again, this is very individual, so find what works for you.
If you drink this every two to three hours, and throughout the day and night, see what happens. I don’t know about you, but it works for me every time. It is like a miracle cure.
Now: just because it works for me, does not meant it will work for you too, but I am hopeful. Try it out. Hope it is worth your effort and wish you a speedy recovery.
Cheers!
P.S. It helps, every once in a while, to de-toxify the system.
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Thanks, Archan! This sounds like a wonderful tonic. I am going to give it a shot – what have I got to lose right?
Cheers to sniffle free days ahead.
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Oh Christa, sorry you aren’t feeling well 😦
I seldom get sick. I maintain that my secret for staying well is to just act (to the world) as if I’m sick from time to time – like I may take a whole weekend for myself pretending I’m at a health spa. I turn off the phone, take long hot baths and eat really clean, meditate and read uplifting and inspiring stuff. Truth to tell I sometimes make it a week rather than just a weekend but I have that luxury now. Other times I just don’t get dressed, sit around and read mysteries and nosh on nursery food – the same stuff I do when I feel awful but without feeling awful.
There are plenty of people who get really morally indignant about that sort of thing! Poor dears. And there are people like you who are driven to keep going no matter what. I do think there is hope for the second category. My R/X; Schedule a spa weekend next time you feel a little frazzled – I think you’ll like it a lot 🙂
For now I hope you can sort of enjoy your down time. Healing vibes to (((Christa)))
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What a great prescription for health, Trish. It has been a long time since I’ve just taken a weekend off for me. I want to give that a shot. What a fabulous idea!
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Oops.
Sorry, Christa, I forgot to mention.
I actually practice what I preach. I drink this tonic every day. I have to because of my problems with allergies.
It has become a habit. I keep the tea in a large thermos and drink piping hot tea every two or three hours.
Also, make sure you really stir this tonic well. The ingredients of this concoction need to stay together and work together.
And let it simmer or boil for a while and then keep on stirring it. It makes for a fine brew. It will detoxify your system.
Also, I suspect you are not eating enough fruits and vegetables in your diet. You need to eat a high fiber diet.
Also, eat varieties of salads. And drink plenty of water. Do this daily until it becomes a habit. And drink fruit juices and vegetable juices too. V-8 is good and so is OJ. However, it is better if you buy a juicer and prepare the juice yourself.
Say, do you still have that farm you grew up on? Maybe you can get organic produce from you farm. Perhaps, that is better than the stuff you find at supermarkets. Just an idea. Ask your mom. Your mom can maybe help you here.
Sometimes, mom’s know best for their children. And they have years of experience. Give yourself the TLC treatment.
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Christa-There must be something in the stars because I also got a terrible summer cold and just posted on taking care of yourself on my blog. Hey, I’m in NYC right now. I’m here to meet my agent for my book and thought of you. I have a tight schedule otherwise it would be cool to meet..but was thinking..well, we can commiserate..we both have colds in New York! Take care!!!!!
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So sorry to miss you, Katherine! I hope you had an incredible time in NYC. Loved reading about your meetings with your agent. When is the book being published??
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I definitely think this was the universe’s way of saying, “Hey, Christa! Get some rest.” You may not realize that you do a LOT more than the average bear. It is incredibly inspiring to watch, because your actions come from the heart — you aren’t mindlessly busy, you’re turning your dreams and values into action. But don’t demonize downtime – blocks of time to just do nothing and putter and veg (like Trish describes). I think this will help you stay healthy and energized as you continue to take the world by storm!
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Amanda, I took your advice and sat in the park for three hours, reading a book that has absolutely nothing to do with any of my work / writing / entrepreneurial ventures. You were right – I do feel better with more down time. 🙂
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