Happy November!! For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a wonderful holiday and have recovered from your food coma! This past week, I took Monday-Wednesday off and with the holiday, it gave me a full week off from work. It was the first full week I have had off since before Covid. I’ve taken days here and there, but never a full week. It was a great week, and really allowed me the opportunity for mental and spiritual rest. There were definitely a few things that I noticed while I was off this week, that I wanted to share with all of you.
- I felt guilty for resting: I didn’t go anywhere, just stayed at home and made a few self-care appointments, started some Christmas shopping, and watched a lot of TV. On Monday night, I had a thought that maybe I shouldn’t have taken the days off. Since I didn’t go on a vacation, I could have saved my days and worked. I started feeling guilty for binge-watching tv instead of writing or being more productive. After I met with my therapist on Wednesday, she asked me to try and change my mindset around productivity and rest. To remind myself that resting is productive and while I might not be able to show a tangible result, I will feel the difference in my body and in my mind.
- I had the freedom to do what I wanted to do: I slept in. On Thanksgiving morning, I stayed in bed and read a book for two hours. I hadn’t done that in years and I used to do it all the time as a kid. I finally crossed some items off my to-do list. I allowed my body to do whatever it needed to do, and I allowed my mind the opportunity to rest. Without worrying about answering emails or keeping track of everything that I need to do for work, I could focus on myself and my needs.
- I am more exhausted than I realize: Last weekend, I found that I had no energy to do anything. So, I stayed in bed all weekend, and rested. Often, we don’t know how truly exhausted we are until we stop, and that is what I realized this past week. I am exhausted and running on fumes, and I must create and allow for space in my life to rest. Even if I feel guilty, I will have to rest through the guilt.
As we head into winter, this is the season where nature rests. Animals hibernate, trees let go of all their leaves, and there is less sunlight. Tune into the world around you and allow your body to do what it naturally does which is rest and recharge in preparation for Spring and Summer. I am going to take my own advice, and rest for the month of December. I wish you all a wonderful end of 2023 and look forward to connecting with you in the new year!!