A friend asked, what did you do this weekend? The truth is that I rested. Pretty much that’s all I did. I got up a few times and got a few things done but when I got tired I rested. But instead of just saying that I felt the need to justify myself. I started running the list of “reasons” that I needed to just rest… I didn’t feel well…. I felt like the entire last month I was running and running without a break… I needed to rest up for my birthday…
I got to thinking how hard it is for me to just take some time and rest! I always feel the need to justify my downtime as if I can only take it after it’s earned. As if it’s some sort of time card that unless I’ve put in the correct amount of time I don’t get to rest. I haven’t earned it yet.
But the problem is that I am very hyper critical of myself. I’m not the kindest and most empathetic version of myself to myself. I can do great with that for others, but for me? Not so much. So how often do you think I give myself permission to rest? To think that what I’ve done is enough and that now I’ve earned that reward? The answer is rarely. Very rarely.
But….maybe that’s why I’m always tired! Like chronically exhausted. If I gave myself permission to rest without earning it, then maybe I’d not be as tired as I often am! In fact, there are times when I’ve done well. When I take time to do something for me just because I feel like it. My kids are a huge help with this. I often will take time out for fun stuff to spend time with them.
Sometimes the best solution is to rest, relax and recharge. It’s hard to be your best on empty.
Sam Glenn
I find that I am able to rest more when I am thinking of others, but I need to get to the place where I recognize and honor how important it is to rest just for me. Sometimes I’m good at it and other times I find myself pushing and pushing far beyond what is good for me. Even though I sometimes find the balance I often fall off the wagon (so to speak) and have to get back on and try again. So I’d like to share some thoughts that help me when I’m either resisting resting or feeling like I didn’t earn it.
First: my kids and my clients will benefit if I rest more. I am not going to be the best version of myself if I’m strung out and exhausted all of the time. If I can’t do it for me then sometimes I can do it for them.
Second: I would totally tell a friend to rest! I would not only give her permission I’d celebrate with her and maybe even send her something to help her rest more fully. So I should go ahead and do that for me too.
Third: I notice how I feel after I’ve given myself permission to rest. I feel more energized, more alive, more inspired and more creative. I notice how I feel afterward so I can use that later to encourage myself to do more resting!
Today when I got to my office I spent a few quiet minutes reflecting on the weekend and how much better I feel for resting. I hope that I will continue to honor my need for rest and rejuvenation. And I hope that I will continue to strive to find ways to honor myself and make my life far more…
