Today, I woke up early with all kinds of plans about how I’d spend my day. A big mug of coffee to really wake up while letting the critters outside and then a trip out front to feed the strays, squirrels, raccoons, birds, and possums. Then I’d start my real day…write this blog, organize a few documents, work on Rapture, and do some other organizing…oh, and my laundry. Well, it’s 9:30pm and I’m just starting this after doing nothing plus taking an hour and a half long nap. I still need to organize documents, work on Rapture, do laundry, etc…. I could be beating myself up over this but, you know what, I’m not. I haven’t felt well all week, I got some not so great news from my doctor on Wednesday, work was kind of brutal all week, and I was just tired. Sometimes, we have to take a step back and just rest, We can’t keep burning our candle at both ends, day after day, week after week. We have to take care of ourselves and sometimes that means that we have to not do the things we feel that we should be doing or even want to be doing. If we don’t take that day off or even just a nap occasionally, then we run the risk of getting to the point where we just aren’t able to continue doing the things that we enjoy doing. We need to stop beating ourselves up for what is reasonable self-care. When I first woke up from my nap, I was so angry with myself but then realized that I was just taking care of myself. My laundry is now in the dryer, my blog post is close to being finished, and I think that I’ll go ahead and get some of my paperwork organized before I go to bed. Honestly, I could go to sleep right now but I’m determined to get those things done. That way, I’ll have tomorrow to devote to Rapture and maybe even take another nap if I feel like it. So, take that nap or the long hot bath with decadently scented bath salts and candles, read the book you’ve been longing to read, take a long walk and enjoy fall’s beautiful colors, go shopping or have dinner with your friends. As long as you’re able to make progress with whatever project you’re working on, you’re doing just fine. We deserve as well as require this occasional downtime. So, do what you need to do to take care of yourself and don’t feel even a little bit bad about it. I don’t.
“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” ~ Eleanor Brownn
Inspired Writer 