This weekend has been one where I’ve had little energy and have been exceptionally tired, I knew my energy levels were low but it was when I went for a walk along Exeter Quay today and despite being surrounded by beauty (isn’t the swan divine!) I simply couldn’t find joy! I began to think about some mistakes I’ve made. I could blame the hormones (men may not want to read this!) but something that should last 3-5 days is entering onto day 18….yes, I know not good. It would be easy for me to not look at my own actions and instead blame this lengthy visitor and while I’m sure it is having an effect, the blame does lie with me.
I believe in simple living, in making my home a haven. While I’ve done very well keeping my time with the little one peaceful, in the evenings and over the last two weekends I’ve baked for people, run errand after errand, helped out my mum with various tasks, made several trips to get coffee out, attended social events & groups, volunteered to make meals for local families, had some houseshare stress, felt incredibly guilty about the lack of blog reading & commenting I’m accomplishing and while none of these things are bad things per se all together they take away from me & my simple life and create tiredness, guilt & lack of energy. All this running around I’ve done means that it is harder to find time to exercise, I’m making quicker meals, getting less sleep and just have an all round feeling of wondering when the day will end & what time I have to set the alarm for! Not simple & certainly not joyous!
I now have a quiet week ahead and I am only going to focus on making my home a haven, resting, relaxing, exercising and eating right. I will be knitting, drinking cups of tea and relaxing and while I need to do about 3 days worth of work, it will be done with balance, realistic time frames and a forgiving nature. Before I commit to anything else, I’ll consider it prayerfully and remember what my priorities are – health & simplicity. You see there are so many activities we can become involved in when actually perhaps what we most need is to stop. We all need reminders about why the simple life is so important, this weekend was my wake-up-call.
And now to bed.
Sometimes it’s easy to run away with this, that and the other. The important thing (i think) is that you realise when you need to just step back and take a breather and re-focus. Have a restful week and don’t put any pressure on yourself!
Please don’t blog for us. As much as we love to read your posts you mustn’t feel guilty about regularity or you will lose the simplicity of that too. Blog for yourself. Generally when I get a little extra energy I use it all up and then have another collapse. I am also trying to learn to have lower expectations of myself and not use everything up at once. Cherrie
Lovely photos FT! Hope you have a good, restful week
I have found over and over again that I need balance in my life. I am much older than you and I still sometimes need to re-learn those lessons and truths which I first learned long ago. Be gentle with yourself and take care dear friend.
Your plans for the week ahead sound blissful! Take care of yourself.
you should never feel guilty about blogging or commenting. that’s not why you do it, or why we read it. you are marvelous FT, and I hope you’ve had a good rest . <3
Very sound wisdom. Please allow yourself an extra amount of grace. He remembers our frame that we are made of dust! I don’t know what your mistakes have been, but I think you are a very brave and wise person. Do what you need to do and don’t feel guilty.
Linda Nichols
Your week ahead sounds very peaceful. I hope you find this “time out” refreshing!!
A dear friend taught me a valuable lesson about volunteering. When asked if she will do a volunteer job, she thinks about it carefully, and if it fits with her abilities and schedule, she will gladly do it. If not, she ‘gives others the chance to do good.’ She says that those who take on too many good works, deny the good feelings of selfless giving from others who could benefit from it. I’ve come to believe she’s got the right spirit of it.
So take care of yourself. God wants you to be happy and healthy too, you know.
You’re such a precious jewel.
I’ve said before – you are not eating enough. Lots of fruit might be lovely, but it is not enough to sustain you. You need slow release carbs. Now I know you have mentioned medical issues around carbs, but please , if you deprive yourself of energy foods, your brain suffers as well as your body.
Fruit is quick release sugar in another form. It creates mood swings. Protein in the form of lean meat and lots of vegetables would be much better for you. There is nothing wrong with the humble winter veg, and they are cheap!
You are also, for obvious reasons, in danger of anaemia, so meat and dark green veg are needed! Read up on folic acid, as you may not be absorbing iron properly.
We all care, and want you to be well. Being healthy is more important than a few extra pounds!!!!!
Please do be gentle with yourself this week! I hope your focus on health and simplicity brings you the rejuvenation you’ve been craving. And never underestimate the power of asking for hugs, either – sometimes, a good hug is all you need. See you soon!
Take it easy, FT. You’re doing fine. Remember also that you just stepped off the corporate treadmill recently – it’s natural that it takes some time to learn how to slow down. Blessings!
I think Linda is on to something…. lentils & beans are wonderful too!
It sounds like you’ve been working full-time with all the good deeds you’ve been doing. I hope this week allows you to re-focus and feel better.
I am also one of those women who tends to take on too much. I’m slowly learning to change that.
I currently work three 9 hour days and care for my son on the other days. As of the end of May I will be returning to work full time days. I’m really trying to figure out how I will balance it all. I’m going to try to make a weekly schedule for myself to help me. One household task a day along with exercise and meals. I hope this change in my lifestyle will be for the better and help me get more rest and put more focus on my well being.
Take good care my friend.
Even when one has all the time in the world, choices must be made! One of my favorite sayings is: “The good is the enemy of the best!” The art is discovering which is which.
Hope you get plenty of R and R and feel revitalised soon.
Take care
Lisa
So true, even good things can become negatives when they start taking away your down time. I have found that I need a certain amount of time each day to relax and recharge. I no longer feel guilty about turning down events & things to make sure I get my time.
yeah, you missed loads of blogs when you were working for someone else. you are entitled to miss some when you are looking after yourself. give yourself a break kiddo! kick back. (ooh am jealous you will have so much time to knit! I am a new convert to the knit club!)
look after yerself!
I was feeling very much the same way (drained) this weekend so am very glad you’re taking time for yourself to recuperate. That’s so very important!
We’ll be here when you’re ready. No one wants to be a burden, so don’t think of us as a responsibility!
How many days!? I’m surprised you’re able to get anything done with that visitor around
no worries at all, dear … i can see that you are simply trying to find the balance between your old life and the new. this has happened to me, as well, as i’ve shifted over. we can only give as much to others as we can to ourselves. remember that. do what you can, and no more, and that smaller amount will be of much greater quality than spreading yourself everywhere in teensy amounts. it is hard having that guilt, though … i think it means our hearts are too big : )
hope that female issue resolves itself soon … i think it’s affecting your mood, for sure, because there’s nothing at all for you to be ashamed of. this week sounds like a healing one for you … yes, embrace it with open arms!
blessed be, dear. namaste.