Why Load Shedding is helping you to win at life
It is almost the weekend and that means Load Shedding is coming to visit again.
President Ramaphosa promised in his SONA speech that the unavoidable Load Shedding will be predictable. If this rings true, how can we you benefit from our new normal?
1. Perfecting time-management skills
EskomSePush notification hits your phone. You check the Load Shedding schedule for the day. You plan your day according to the availability of electricity or make sure your devices are fully charged for that dead hours. You make sure you have enough candles or those nifty lights that charge while the electricity is on. (Did you know you even get rechargeable bulbs now – check @takealot; I am not even kidding! See, we are even getting more innovative through this whole process.)
2. Building on relationships
Less time on your cellphone and Wi-Fi means more time getting face-to-face connection with family and friends. A braai with friends during those scheduled Load Shedding hours over weekends makes for time well invested. Even sending along the schedule on Whatsapp groups or borrowing a candle or light from others helps to deepen the relationships we have. And let us be honest; Load Shedding is now an easy conversation starter or small talk topic. No more awkward silences in the queue.
3. Practicing self-love
When last did you prioritise reading a book or went on a hike or spent time outside? Or just took that cup of coffee outside and took the time to just be with your thoughts? Nothing gets me as relaxed as a candle-lit bath. (I recycle the water in the garden. Promise.)
4. Cutting down screen time
If you are anything like me, you also fear that weekly notification from your Screen Time app on your phone. I am competitive of nature, so I do like to “win” and cut down each week. When my Wi-Fi is cut off, I try to put my phone down and focus on being present.
5. Fostering gratitude
Even if you cannot relate to any of the other four mentions, you do eventually appreciate a working stove or warm water or the light in your room once they switch the electricity back on.
Keep spreading the lighter (I had to) side this weekend. Wishing you all a downgrade on the Stages.