I felt a bit guilty today. I felt I should be out biking. I did not ride early yesterday because when the alarm went off I had to ask myself: which is the most important for my well being, to go riding, or to go back to sleep and get some more rest? Rest won out as I was extremely fatigued. I listened to what I needed.
This morning, I walked Axel (my dog) and the air was so still and I thought to myself that this was perfect cycling weather. I got home, and I felt guilty for NOT jumping on a bike and going riding. So I stopped and I asked myself ‘what is really going on here? Why to I feel sad, depressed, guilty?’ and straight away I realised … I felt I should do all I could on my two days off, but the fact is: this time, it needs to be rest days.
Yes, yesterday I did get out the hedge trimmer and trimmed back the shrubs, then cleaned up the mess, mowed the lawns, and so there was quite a flurry of activity, after which, almost embarrassed to say, I was a little shaky. I had pushed too hard with the energy levels that I had. For the rest of the day I rested, drank tea, played guitar, tossed Axel’s toy for him to chase, gave the cats plenty of attention, and then drank more tea!
This has all made me realise how hard we push ourselves. At this time of year things get busy, and with the better weather we catch up on gardening work on our days off. My ‘other job’ is in retail, so it is insanely busy, and exhausting. It’s not just the serving of people, it is the genuine interaction, answering their questions, making sure they feel heard, seen, respected, and given the guidance they seek, so I have to be at my best, and be in alignment so that what they need can be given. We all push ourselves hard.
So … here is the thing I want to talk about: let’s start to make it a daily habit to tune in to how our energy is feeling. Not just first thing in the morning, but when we get home from work. How am I feeling? How are my energy levels? What do I need to drink, and to eat? Do I need to have an early night? Do I need to rest and be ready for tomorrow? You can’t check in the next morning and say ‘I am really tired’ if it was your choice to stay up late. If you don’t want to wake up tired, go to bed earlier. As employees we have to give our best no matter what our tiredness levels are. (Most women can actually put fatigue aside and just get the job done!)
Make time every day to ‘rest’. Self care. Check in on yourself. What do you need? On days off what is more vital to your well being? For me it is generally that good long bike ride, as it is my therapy and my work out, but … there are times I have to really analyse my energy levels and decide what is best for my well being. To exhaust myself when I am already fatigued will only result in illness or even greater fatigue.
If we do not learn to tune in, then the universe will put us flat on our back to make us rest. I have seen that happen many a time. People push themselves too hard, and then end up sick and having to rest, or injured and not able to do anything. So learnt to listen and check in on yourself and avoid that!!!
As we all face the end of 2025 and consider the new year, let us make some plans for self care for 2026.
Take time to go into nature, even if it is just a walk by the river, or in a park, and appreciate the beauty. Breathe deeply. Exhale and let your stresses go. Listen to the sound of your footsteps. Listen to the wind, the birds, the sounds of life. Just listen and hear, but don’t make judgements or analyse anything. Feel the movement of your body, feel the rhythm. Stop, close your eyes, breath in long and deep and then breathe out long and deep. Feel the peace. Feel the calm. Open your eyes and look at the world as if it was a new world.
All through your day, take moments to breathe in calm and peace, and breathe out stress and worry. And as you do that, hold that peace in your heart space for a moment. Make it a practise.
Peace within. That is where it all starts …