Recharge!

by Michele Boy | February 23, 2023

I am newspapered out. Is that a word? Certain times of life we are all go no quit, sacrificing self care for what needs done. 
  On the most beautiful day of the year so far, I had to turn down a walk, give up a healthcare appointment, and watch as many others had those opportunities. Maybe they went on vacation, or took a walk, relaxed with a book. Whatever it was, I wasn’t in that place. Then things started barreling down and I began getting envious and frustrated at myself. 
Why aren’t you doing more? 
  It is not in the cards right now to go away on a vacation. But I need to carve out a little me time. Today that will be going to Garden City to the dentist for a checkup which I can’t stand but needs done.    
  But hopefully can take a walk, buy a few things we need, and just drive. 
It’s not a beach but it is awareness that my needs are valid. And if I don’t take care of them a little bit, I grow weary in my work, in being a wife and mom. 
Sometimes it’s my own fault as I can dive into something head on and not realize the needs I have. 
Anyone else out there good at that? 
  It’s a topic I have to revisit often but maybe I am getting a little better at recognizing it. 
So while the doors to my office have been closed a lot, I have been at meetings, ball games, helping collect donations, and more. It was midnight Tuesday when I shut the computer (newspaper) off and went to bed. 
I love to help and I love to do but once in a while my needs become top of the list. I acknowledge some people are far better at this than me. 
I am not sure I will ever be great at balancing life. 
 I am so grateful for all I have and wouldn’t change it. Just need a few tweaks.
 How often do you self assess? 
I am guessing if you have the time to self assess you haven’t hit a wall yet. 
 I feel like one of those drug commercials. 
Lack of self care side effects include - envy, crankiness towards family members, irritations, moodiness, and more. Ha.
 Do you or someone you know suffer from this condition?
 I remember  many years ago my life was so empty that I seeked to find something to fill the days. 
 Today I have so much of what I dreamed of. But it is a little more tiring than I expected. 
 In the old days I could go for a hike, travel, etc. 
Today some of my self care opportunities have changed.
  Have you heard the saying Awareness, Acceptance, Action? 
I am aware of my state of mind and energy. Acceptance? Not so easy. Instead of being happy or proud of the good things, I start to get angry with myself of what I haven’t done, should have done, and go down a dark path that doesn’t help a thing. Acceptance for me usually starts with a nap, then a list of things I need to tackle, and being happy with what I did accomplish.  
  Finally, there is action. Where do you go from here? Checking off a few tasks that need done helps. Getting into my bible, even for a few moments also helps. 
 More water to drink? Some water to drink. Ha! Maybe a walk with a friend if I can carve the time out.
   Are you in that season? You are not alone. 
A great self care quote I read was “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”— Anne Lamott
The quote is usually next to a young woman in a clean minimalist room doing yoga. 
And while it is time to unplug, I don’t have that youth, that body, that clean room. 
In less than an hour, I will have the opportunity to unplug. For a few minutes. And then find some ways to recharge. 
 Check in with yourself, you are worth it. And while God needs you, your family needs you, and the world needs you,.you need you too.  
 So I hope this week brings you a little laughter, a little fun, a little adventure! 
  And I would take a little of that too!