Sit Down Somewhere

Hey friends! How’s it going?

I don’t have a lot to say, so I won’t keep you long.

I’m just popping in for a quick one this week. I’ve had a hectic one.

Hectic means stressful in this context.

It’s funny how we can get so concerned with the day-to-day motions of life and never take the time to think about why we are doing what we’re doing. Big things get most of our conscious thoughts. I know why I’m going to work and school and doing things for my family. Yet, I regularly find myself just going through life’s motions instead of taking a nap or gaming.

Why is it okay to keep pushing yourself when you are already exhausted? It’s not fair.

I know society likes for us to run ourselves into the ground, for us to be too exhausted to think appropriately. However, there are forces at work in the world that want the masses to be more concerned with losing the little bit that we have than being concerned about how they are robbing us blind. There is a discussion to be had about why the rich only want poor people around to do the jobs they don’t want to do, jobs they consider themselves to be “too good” for.

One day, I’ll have the energy for that discussion. Unfortunately, today is not that day.

Today, I’m using the little bit of fuel I have left to remind us all, myself included, that rest is an essential part of self-care. I would argue that it’s the most critical part. You can take care of others when you are struggling to do right by yourself. I mean, you probably could, and many of us do but imagine how much more effective of a person you would be if you took a break now and then.

Life circumstances forced me to chill out for a few days this week. Nothing to panic about, but I had to self-quarantine while I waited for COVID test results. I took two days off in the middle of a workweek.

I didn’t have COVID, but I was having stress-related symptoms that looked a lot like COVID. I was getting headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath. I had to re-evaluate the pace I’ve been working at for the past few weeks. Instead of waking up super early, I stayed in bed late into the morning. When I finally did get up for lunch that first day, I was feeling amazing! I was more productive that afternoon than I have been in a little while.

I had an introspective breakthrough this week while I was back at home. To be the best person I can be, I need a minimum of 8 to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep. That’s just what my body needs.  After which, I feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day throws at me. I wrote about the importance of good sleep a while ago, but this piece was lost on me until recently.

My workweek schedule allows for 6 to 7 hours of sleep most of the time. I can function, but it’s harder. I drink more coffee, stress eating becomes an easier choice, and it becomes more challenging to keep going as the week progresses. By Friday afternoon, I can barely manage to make it through my evening without crashing very early. Some folks would argue that taking an early night is a form of self-care, but I’m afraid I have to disagree when your body gives you no other choice. I have been known to fall asleep in random places like an exhausted sim. Not a good look.

The point here is to make time for yourself to rest. That rest can look like sleeping late or binging your favorite garbage show on your couch. Whatever you need to do to pause and recharge, take those actions.

Stop waiting until your body doesn’t give you any other option, Sis.

You know better, so do better. How many times do we have to go through this, Sis?

It’s me. I’m Sis.

I’m primarily addressing myself, but if it applies to you as well, good.

Let’s do better together. Lord knows we can all use the help.

Take care. Be safe. I love you.