It is very easy to be busy. It is much more difficult to rest.
Sounds weird, doesn’t it? It doesn’t even really compute but, for me, it is still truth. I have a full-time job, I volunteer for a couple things regularly, I have my family, I’m taking some classes and, of course, I have my writing. Toss in reading, commuting, and the various other little things that are part of our daily lives and busy becomes the norm.
To make matters worse, when I’m not busy, I feel guilt around all the activities I could be working on.
Now do you see why it can be more difficult to rest?
Wearing down
Admitting I was getting tired and wearing down was hard. I’d like to think I’m a tiny bit better at regulating these things to reduce the possibility of burnout. It looked like I was going to have to get away in order to rest.
So, I suggested to my partner that we go away somewhere for a week. Somewhere warm and all-inclusive.
I will confess, I didn’t expect her to buy into my proposal. But she did and within 3 weeks, we had our travel booked and paid for (this was back in November, in case you’re wondering).
In January, we went away to a tropical paradise and simply sat on a beach, enjoyed the sun and sipped Pina Coladas. I didn’t take anything but some ebooks to read. I did not connect to work. I did check my personal email but didn’t really do anything with any emails I received.
We ate, we drank, we swam in the ocean. And, for the first time in many years, I actually can say I relaxed and just existed. It was wonderful. I came home feeling refreshed and, to a certain extent, recharged.
I might just have to do it again sometime.
How are you all doing?
