This is the question I asked myself this week as I cried
over going to a school event for my daughter. She’s a senior this year and I am
already struggling with my “baby” about to fly the nest.
But the truth is, I wasn’t crying for sentimental reasons.
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I was crying because I didn’t want to go. I felt obligated to go and support her because it’s her senior year and that’s what I’m supposed to do as her mother, but honestly, I’ve been feeling the burnout for WEEKS now.
I didn’t want to go and socialize. I didn’t want to interact
with people.
And I LIKE people. We’re incredibly fortunate to live
in a supportive and active community with people who are very nice and get
along. Most of the time. (Let’s be real – everyone has their moments.)
But 99% of the time our little town works together and
supports one another and they are ESPECIALLY encouraging to the kids.
So, there I was, crying and trying to hide it from my
daughter and husband because I didn’t want THEM to feel guilty about the
fact that I didn’t want to go, and before the night was over, I ended up with a
massive headache that landed me in bed as soon as we got home.
And I asked myself over and over that night, “What are you
doing? Why does it feel like you’re just barely hanging on?”
I’ve been working on a project I’m very excited about. I’ve been
writing my blog posts, and newsletter articles on Substack, which I find immensely
fulfilling.
And I thought I was finally at a point where I could REALLY
start prioritizing my health, and not have to feel that mom-guilt for taking
time to work on ME.
No answers came that night, but over the last few days I’ve
started to realize that while I am doing healthy things for myself, I’m not
taking it as seriously as I want to.
I AM still just trying to hang on, and not being
proactive with my health and well-being.
And the most shocking conclusion I came to is that as much
as I need nutrition, and movement, and good sleep, I also need time to
recharge. I need to mentally and emotionally reinvigorate my life.
This is NOT new information. I’m an introvert. I KNOW I need time alone to recharge my batteries.
I also know I’m not great at multi-tasking, and to me,
working on nutrition, movement, sleep, hydration, stress-relief, taking time
for mental and emotional wellness, and then being there for my family and all
the other “things” we have going on becomes overwhelming and exhausting.
Anyone else relate?
So, yeah.
This blog post isn’t so much about tips on how to balance
all this and keep your sanity. In fact, if you’ve got tips, send them my way
because I’d love to hear them.
It’s more about acknowledging the fact that maybe what’s got
your health and wellness efforts hung up, slowed down, or ground to a halt is NOT
because you’re not doing the right things or trying hard enough. Maybe, like
me, you’re just feeling the burnout. There’s been too much “activity” in your
life, and not enough time spent on personal renewal.
It’s one thing to hop on the treadmill, hit the weights, or
go for a walk because you know you SHOULD be doing it for your health. It’s
another thing to do it because it’s a conscious part of your mental and
emotional well-being, as well.
All I got for you today is Hang In There, Ladies.
It’s not easy, but this, too, shall pass. Just give it a minute, breathe, and
find those little ways to give yourself the physical, mental, and emotional
support you need.
We got this.
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