Mindful Monday V8: It is okay to rest

I’m pretty excited that it’s Monday because I didn’t have the best weekend ? Haha don’t worry, not for any crazy reasons! I woke up on Friday morning with a super sore throat, hoping it was just a weird morning thing. NOPE! It stuck around all day, and my body started to feel achy and lethargic, too. My eyes welled up with tears when Adam came home in the early afternoon and he pretty much ordered me to go take a nap. When I didn’t feel better after that, I made chicken noodle soup, we watched a movie, and I went to bed early.

Normally, that’s enough downtime for me. But after sleeping for nearly 11 hours on Friday night, I woke up feeling just as bad, if not worse, on Saturday. I took a shower thinking maybe that would make me feel better… again, NOPE. So I cancelled our brunch plans, got back in PJs, and sulked on the couch. Like ya do. Can you tell I’m super grumpy when I’m sick?!

After an hour of Great British Baking Show (obvi), I grabbed my computer and started answering emails and editing photos, because doing NOTHING feels so unnatural to me. This didn’t last long for obviously reasons – but it is literally difficult for me to be lazy/not do anything productive.  My mind races to “I was supposed to go to the gym today since I’ll be out of town next week!” and “If I don’t do anything today, I’ll be behind on Monday!” and the worst one, “I don’t NEED to do any of this, but I SHOULD because if I don’t do it now, I’ll keep making excuses not to do it.“

But here’s the thing. There is ALWAYS more to do. There are always things you should or could be doing. And we all know it’s easy to feel bad about yourself for taking some time away from the gym. But as my Mom always says, usually you don’t feel well for a reason. Your body is trying to tell you something. And usually that something is “SLOW DOWN“.

My first thought? But I just quit my job! I am going slower, aren’t I?! Well, as nice as it is to solely focus on LSL, it’s also meant that I’ve put a ton of additional pressure on myself. Now that it’s all I’m doing, I feel like I need to improve in every. single. way. And that has meant working nights, shooting on weekends, and all that hustle that I’m used to. Most of the time I love that type of schedule, though. I can work when I’m inspired and take breaks when I need to! But sometimes it catches up to me.

The reason I want to share this is because there is a lot out there that can make you feel bad for resting. All over the place we read things like “How bad do you want it?!” and “Be stronger than your excuses.” But sometimes listening to your body is more valid than that. Sometimes skipping workouts, turning your computer off, sleeping more than normal, and staying in PJs all day is what your body is literally begging you for.

So just know that it is okay to rest.

It’s okay to slow down. Taking time to recoup does not mean that you are incapable or you’ll never get back on track. And it certainly doesn’t mean that you’ll never achieve your goals – whether they are physical or career oriented. Listening to your body is just as important as pushing yourself… as hard as it might be to see that sometimes.

Anyone else have any experiences like this?

Do you have trouble slowing down? Or do you have more trouble revving yourself up? I’d love to hear!

PS. You might also like Mindful Monday V1 (Do things before you’re ready), Mindful Monday V3 (Trust that the universe is supporting you), and You Are More Than Your Physical Appearance.