(Even) Less is More

The lesson will be repeated until it is learned.  Here’s the lesson I’ve been repeating:  When I notice I’m feeling a little run down, it’s a good time to rest rather than push through until I’m super-depleted and sickish.

When I’m a little tired, do what must be done, but no more than that, and prioritize rest.  

Postpone, cancel, eliminate what’s not necessary.  In that space, add in restorative, nourishing things: Read a book.  Take a bath. Have a nap. Drink tea. Meditate. Pat Brownie.  Listen to an audio book. Watch Vikings. Drink lemon water. Stare at the sky. Listen to birds chirping. Close my eyes and see what happens.  Get off the phone.  Get. Off. The. Phone. 

I didn’t do that this week.  On Monday I was a little tired. I pushed through. On Tuesday I was a little tired. I told myself that what I’d planned to do was not too much and that cancelling was not indicated, even though I know for me - for me - that if I’m thinking about cancelling something it usually means it’s better for me to cancel — unless it’s really a commitment where someone in need is relying on me or something like that.  

Some stuff merits rallying. Most stuff doesn’t. I’m just not so important that my presence is as critical to others as I think it is. AND I’m important enough to take care of when I need taking care of which is sooner than being incapacitated, downed.

If I were my own best friend I’d cut myself more slack than I do.  Even calling it slack is so weird.  Like is it cutting my child slack if he’s tired to say, “go rest,” or if he’s hungry to say, “here’s food,” or if he has lots of energy to say, “go play.”  

I’m an adult.  I’ve been given this life, this body, this turn to exist, as I am.  That’s the catch — it’s this body, this mind, this set and setting and circumstances. How am I doing playing this hand?  Better than I used to, not as well as I’d like to.  So okay, that’s information.  I’m gonna keep going.  

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