Take time to read and improve your wellness

Earlier this week, I had just finished an 8 am meeting.  I had an hour to get in some movement and shower before my first work appointment of the day.  And then I uttered words I don't think I've ever said before: "I just can't do it."  

In the last month, our family went through 2 major transitions that were losses and then just a few days before, my father-in law passed away.  I did what I always do: I executed.  I made arrangements for my work and our personal schedules, I made arrangements for travel, made a list of things to do and buy before we left and supported my grieving family members.  Sound familiar?

You would think I would learn....after decades of living this way and ending up with physical and mental health challenges as a result, I've made great strides toward NOT living this way.  But unprecedented and challenging times are likely to bring up old patterns of behavior and here I was again.  Grieving, hurting, tired and DOING.  Sound familiar?

But here's where growth is shown like a seed that's been planted, nurtured and then turns into a blooming flower: I listened to myself.  I heard myself say, "I just can't do it."  I thought of messages from and conversations with those who love me who had said to me, "You really have a lot going on."  And I cleared my calendar for the day, which I also have never done.   

I took that whole hour for a walk with my furry family members, I got some errands done that I was going to cram in later that afternoon and then I came home and rested.  If I continued with my usual schedule, I wouldn't have had time for this.  

I've gotten where I am in life by hustling.  I will never apologize for or regret that.  But what I do regret is pushing so hard for so long in just about every area of my life that I ended up in the life I wanted and dreamed of, but unwell.  Reading more and reading well is one of the things I've done to start recovering.  It's one of the things I spent time doing that day.

Recovery spotlight: My smart friend Stephanie is launching The Readerly Collective soon and has amazing resources available for you now!  Read more = be well.  

I'd love to hear from you about a time that you realized you needed to hit the pause button.  Where did you create space for something that you didn't have time for but made it anyway.