I decided to take the first two months of the year to rest.
A couple of months ago, I would have laughed at myself for saying this. My life does not allow for rest. That is until I reshaped my definition of the word. I am not literally resting. As much as I would love to be a person who can spend an entire afternoon on the couch, I have a very hard time sitting still even when I do have the time.
So, what do I mean by this? Basically, I am trying to be more aware of my own physical and mental needs. The first step I took toward this was leaving my nighttime teaching job. Yes, this provides me with more time to drive my kids around to their various activities, but it also opens up my evenings and makes them feel less overwhelming.
What does re-defined rest look like to me?
Doing one or two loads of laundry every night instead of 15 loads on the weekend.
I cannot stand looking at piles and piles of laundry! I know it’s the same amount, but folding one load a night makes it way less tedious.
Ordering take-out on Tuesdays.
My oldest son has baseball conditioning on Tuesdays. My husband will pick up take-out for the two of us on his way home from dropping off our son. I like this because it gives me some quiet time alone, and it is like a mid-week date night at home once my husband returns with the food!
Listening to a book or podcast on headphones.
Putting in headphones to listen to something that is entertaining to me helps drown out all that “mental load” stuff that is usually running through my mind at any given moment.
Writing things down that pop into my head.
I’m a major planner. I am already thinking about what summer camps my kids will attend. When thoughts like this creep in, I write them down. I know it is something that has to be done, but not right now.
Breathing techniques.
Okay. This one is actually resting. Every morning, and sometimes mid-day, I take a couple of minutes to tune out and count breaths. Try it! It does not sound like it works, but it does!
These are just a few examples, but for someone who is trying to live in the moment and feels less overwhelmed by the day-to-day, all of these little things help! I like that now most of my evenings look the same, and that my schedule benefits mostly me.
