“Rest is not a sign of weakness if it’s the very thing that makes us strong.”

-Magnolia Journal

I have a knack for pushing and pushing until my body gives out and I get sick. There is always just so much to do. The kids have distance learning, squeezing in a workout, getting up early to get some work done, staying up later to finish up a project, and maybe spending a brief amount of time with my partner.

The perfect example of this is this fall when I finished up my first live class, took my health coaching exam, and was about to wrap up a business program I was in all while being home with 3 kids during distance learning. Days later my whole body ached and shut down. I was convinced I had COVID, of course. My partner stayed home from work and did distance learning life with the kids for the day. I rested, read, and watched movies. The next day I was fine.

I have been hearing this quiet voice telling me it is time to rest. I have ignored it for the last month. I often ignore it until it gets so loud that my body shuts down and I have to listen. I am learning. This time I didn’t wait so long. I stopped setting the alarm to get up at 5 to work out. Instead IF I was up my partner delivered coffee in bed where I journaled, meditated, read or just slept in until 6:30 am. What a rebel?! I saved my workout for the afternoon when I was more awake and would do pilates or yoga. Instead of doing anything when the sitter was over I went to the sauna or read. I have let the kids watch a movie in the afternoon while the baby naps so that I can enjoy a bowl of popcorn and a book or nap. I have done next to nothing in the evening besides enjoying some whiskey and a silly TV show.

Here is the funny thing about rest. When you need it and sit in that space for awhile it eventually ends. Eventually you are nourished and refueled and ready to get back at it. You are renewed and refreshed. I am not ready to get back up yet. I am sitting in my miss matched pajamas as I write this. Now I can hear a new voice whispering “It is time to go.”

I know that this new year will be intense and I want it to be. There are great things I want to accomplish personally and professionally. I am not waiting for COVID or distance learning to be over to begin. So there for it will not be easy. BUT, I am not quite there yet. For a few more days I will be sitting in my miss-matched pajamas and taking it easy. The kids will watch too many movies while I take an afternoon nap. Today I will rest so that tomorrow I can be strong.