This past Saturday, I did something rare for me.
I went by feel. I took a nap when I wanted. I zoned out and got my fill of short viral videos on social media. I watched movies and TV shows on Netflix to my hearts content. I listened to music. I listened to the fan in my bedroom spin round and round. I took in the sound of silence. Oh yea, I took a second nap. I even managed to pick up and read a few chapters of the book that I’ve been positioning from one side of my desk to the other. And to think I thought books were just big paper weights!
If I lived closer to the ocean, it’s the kind of day that I would’ve gone to the beach and just kicked back on the sand. If it was the summer, I probably would’ve found a shaded spot, put up a hammock, and fallen asleep listening to the tweeting birds.
I relaxed. I chilled.
Taking a lazy day
I didn’t plan anything. I didn’t worry about a schedule. I left everything to feel.
The urge to be productive hit me throughout the day. It was like an itch on the back of my neck. When I get the productivity urge most days, I usually am quick to respond. “You need something. Right this way. I’ll get right on that.” Oh, I’m familiar with the urge. I need to be productive. It’s just a part of my achiever, perfectionist nature. The itch came more than normal on Saturday. I didn’t listen to it though. I let the feeling wash over me and go straight to voicemail.
“Hello, you have 300 new messages.”
It was a strange day indeed.
Recharging the batteries
We all need days like that. We need them to forget about the stress. We need them to forget about our responsibilities and obligations. We need those days to get our physical, mental, and emotional self back in shape. Oh, there will be days in the not too distant future when I need to get 101 things done by 9 a.m. There will be days where I need to be on the clock and under the microscope. There will be days where I need to be “on” and will need to take care of business.
I’ve had more than my share of crazy, stress-filled days. This day though was about one thing and one thing only: taking care of me.
How do you manage self-care to prevent burnout and illness? How do you spend your self-care time?
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Writing from the Heart with Brian 
Good for you, my friend! As a recovering “equal opportunity overachiever” I embrace new patterns of “non-production”. I light a long candle and read my devotions by candlelight each morning. Sip my coffee slowly. I have “non-tech” days and have let go even of the pressure of producing a blog each week. I’ve shared with those who might worry if I don’t answer that they can SOS (or me to them) IF it’s an emergency. Time in nature, a treat at Sonic or my favorite frozen yogurt place, by a tree, in the woods…music, movie…I’m with you brother! Good for you!
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We have to give ourselves permission to do this once in a while. Glad you did!
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I do things pretty much like that, but in hours-not days! I just drop everything and walk outside until my head clears. (If it’s cold, I go in the heated greenhouse)
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This makes me happy because you made your soul happy! You listened to what you needed! Yay you.
I do much of the same. I meander around Apple Music and add or create new playlists. I search for new skin care products and purchase on line. I write snippets for the show I’m creating. Sometimes I’ll get in car and drive to the beach with a huge coffee and watch the waves and people watching the waves. Other times I’ll drive to a store I’ve been meaning to check out and just peruse. We need to do more of what our hearts want to do!
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