The truth is I am really not great at being a rester.
What is a rester? A person who rests, especially a person who takes repose or has a break from activity. Now I do take many breaks. I love doing things and working hard, but that means I need to give myself more windows in which to rest. This is what I am working on.Everything has a season… some are more full than others, while others seem empty. It’s important to know which season you are in. But what happens if your full seasons are all blending into one and everything is on autopilot. The wheels keep spinning and on, and on, and on.
Autopilot is NOT sustainable, it's the recipe for overwhelm and burnout. I know as I have done this before and if I am not careful I will do it again. It’s time to reflect and make a plan to come out of a full season if you have been in one for a while.
Learn to become a rester. I am going to plan for a seasonal change in preparation for a full Fall. It’s always important to check in with yourself. Take a moment to ask yourself what season you might be in right now?
What do I want? Do I want to slow down or go faster?
How do I want to live this season out?
If you are looking to be more of a rester but are thinking “Melissa this is not possible for me, as I need to put food in the fridge, pay the bills and take care of everyone…” I understand.
Not everyone can go from one side to the other. But what I am learning is the importance of prioritizing to create more space. Not to be confused with a to-do list, but rather to look at what is on my plate and how to prioritize. I have been jotting down 4 columns that include for me include work and home life:
> Urgent & Important
> Urgent & Not important
> Important & Not Urgent
> Not Urgent & Not Important
I have also had to make adjustments as to how much I am working and scale back accordingly.
Often we have everything on our urgent list and this can feed into the busy season never ending. So breaking things down into categories may help you.
We all need to be great a being resters... we all deserve this. So when the full seasons arrives we have the energy, focus and ability to perform. Resting is a key piece to our success.
Quote for the week
It's very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems. Thich Nhat Hanh
We often have to work hard at resting and remind ourselves of the great value it brings.
Happy resting…
Melissa x