I love this post as it’s so important to assess this.
Rest is something I book in like an appointment because I’ve learned from experience what I need. At 2.30pm every day, I go to bed. Pull up my duvet. Put in my earplugs and put on an eye mask. I feel like a wired electrical device that’s going to fuse if I don’t switch myself off in this way.
I am healing from complex trauma and grief and I have to prioritise this so I can function, feel ok and offer my children trauma informed parenting.
I use the spoon theory- measures of energy- and I know how many spoons I need for each task which helps me to pace them well.
Running, walking and meditation are essential too but I categorise those as healing/ self care tools and not resting tools but I like your suggestion to consider these as different types of rest. Overall my aim is slow living. But if I analyse this more carefully I’m probably doing as many activities as before but I’m now better at prioritising the ones that nurture me rather than deplete me.
It’s also the small things like doing a wee when I need one rather than rushing to cook the dinner with a full bladder as I fear I’ll somehow run out of time if I don’t 😅
I’ve noticed this about myself a LOT recently, during a long stretch of living alone. There’s no one and nothing to be rushing to, but I’m still rushing, I think because I conflate a sense of urgency with a sense of purpose. Forcing myself to literally slow down (my pace) and relax (my shoulders away from my ears) has helped me to reinstate a moment of relaxation during my mundane routines.
Mmm, I agree with you on conflating a sense of urgency with a sense of purpose. And the shoulders sneakily creeping up to my ears. Thanks so much for sharing Soph! Wishing you a lovely weekend, xx
This is so timely. I love this time of year so much, yet I find myself thinking "Okay, I need to get a jump start on buying/wrapping all my Christmas presents, find the Perfect Fall Event to do, plan these holiday parties, etc. and THEN I'll be able to enjoy the next few months!" It's just like wait a minute, you're skipping all the fun so that you can "relax". That's not how it works. Love it, Lauren, always.
Oh my gosh, I can totally relate to the "and THEN I'll be able to enjoy" thought process. Thanks so much for sharing Gabriella. If you find your Perfect Fall Event, I hope to hear all about it, hehe. Have a lovely weekend, xx
This is 100% me and a running joke of my husband’s that I cannot simply rest. Within a few minutes I’ll be up to do some laundry, or make a drink, do something for the kid or the dog. Especially bad when I’m meant to be resting sick at any time. I find I need to get to a really restful state through reading, writing, watching a movie (though I’m usually multitasking), or sewing (to make me out my phone down and create something beautiful!). I’m always go go go…
Thanks so much for sharing Lucy! I agree with you on finding an activity that lets you enter a restful state. Sewing sounds lovely. Have a great weekend, xx
Yes, Mary Oliver is my soul food. I think you would love her. This particular excerpt from that poem resonates with your piece: "I am so distant from the hope of myself,
Lauren, I swear we are on the same wave lengths at times!! My therapist literally sent me this article last week about the 7 types of rest: https://www.abilities.ca/health-activity/the-7-types-of-rest. It's been on my mind a lot lately and it was also a realization I made while brushing my teeth! I noticed how I was trying to do multiple tasks while brushing my teeth, like de-cluttering my space or scrolling through my phone. Rushing from one 'restful' task to the next. Something that I've been reflecting on and that's helped me, is your reflection on 'ease' in previous newsletters. I've been trying to bring this concept into even mundane tasks like putting my dishes away. I also think about how balance can be viewed not as something we achieve, but as something that is fluid. I know for myself I tend to idealize balance (when really it is my idea of perfection - it's exhausting!)
I find going for a walk in nature to be one of the most restorative practices. Mary Oliver's poem 'When I am among the trees', sums it up for me.
Oh my gosh, I love this! Not that I love that we’re both rushing around, but that we can relate to one another. Brushing teeth and running around doing chores.😝 I’m going to read that article that you linked right now.
Mmmm, such a good reflection on balance. Not something to “achieve”. I like that. Because as soon as something is achievable - it becomes a task to perfect. Thanks so much for this perspective!
More nature walks needed. Mary Oliver has been on my radar lately, sounds like that poem will be a good one. 🍂
Happy Thanksgiving weekend Naomi! Wishing you all the ease. xx
I love this post as it’s so important to assess this.
Rest is something I book in like an appointment because I’ve learned from experience what I need. At 2.30pm every day, I go to bed. Pull up my duvet. Put in my earplugs and put on an eye mask. I feel like a wired electrical device that’s going to fuse if I don’t switch myself off in this way.
I am healing from complex trauma and grief and I have to prioritise this so I can function, feel ok and offer my children trauma informed parenting.
I use the spoon theory- measures of energy- and I know how many spoons I need for each task which helps me to pace them well.
Running, walking and meditation are essential too but I categorise those as healing/ self care tools and not resting tools but I like your suggestion to consider these as different types of rest. Overall my aim is slow living. But if I analyse this more carefully I’m probably doing as many activities as before but I’m now better at prioritising the ones that nurture me rather than deplete me.
It’s also the small things like doing a wee when I need one rather than rushing to cook the dinner with a full bladder as I fear I’ll somehow run out of time if I don’t 😅
Aww thank you so much for your thoughtful response Piata!
Your 2:30 break time sounds amazing - and I'm very inspired by your dedication to it.
Glad to hear that prioritizing the activities that nurture you is proving beneficial. Wishing you a lovely weekend, xx
I’ve noticed this about myself a LOT recently, during a long stretch of living alone. There’s no one and nothing to be rushing to, but I’m still rushing, I think because I conflate a sense of urgency with a sense of purpose. Forcing myself to literally slow down (my pace) and relax (my shoulders away from my ears) has helped me to reinstate a moment of relaxation during my mundane routines.
Mmm, I agree with you on conflating a sense of urgency with a sense of purpose. And the shoulders sneakily creeping up to my ears. Thanks so much for sharing Soph! Wishing you a lovely weekend, xx
Co-President of the Brushing My Teeth Aggressively For No Reason Club 🫡
Same here! Felt so seen 👀
Thank you Ariane
Ahhhaha thank you for claiming the title Kate!
And a huge congratulations to your family - two new angels! Can't wait to hear more. Sending so much love. 💗
Ok and now my struggle is with the urgent desire to figure out where to plug in these different types of rest in my schedule 🙃😂
...and the cycle continues! I totally feel you on this one.
This is so timely. I love this time of year so much, yet I find myself thinking "Okay, I need to get a jump start on buying/wrapping all my Christmas presents, find the Perfect Fall Event to do, plan these holiday parties, etc. and THEN I'll be able to enjoy the next few months!" It's just like wait a minute, you're skipping all the fun so that you can "relax". That's not how it works. Love it, Lauren, always.
Oh my gosh, I can totally relate to the "and THEN I'll be able to enjoy" thought process. Thanks so much for sharing Gabriella. If you find your Perfect Fall Event, I hope to hear all about it, hehe. Have a lovely weekend, xx
This is 100% me and a running joke of my husband’s that I cannot simply rest. Within a few minutes I’ll be up to do some laundry, or make a drink, do something for the kid or the dog. Especially bad when I’m meant to be resting sick at any time. I find I need to get to a really restful state through reading, writing, watching a movie (though I’m usually multitasking), or sewing (to make me out my phone down and create something beautiful!). I’m always go go go…
Thanks so much for sharing Lucy! I agree with you on finding an activity that lets you enter a restful state. Sewing sounds lovely. Have a great weekend, xx
Yes, Mary Oliver is my soul food. I think you would love her. This particular excerpt from that poem resonates with your piece: "I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often."
Mmmm, so beautiful! Ok I definitely need to pick up a collection of her work.
I love looking at all the types of rest. It really helps explain how sometimes we may be getting one type of rest but not the one we really need.
(Also, loved the title!)
Uhhh, so true! Thanks so much Kaitlyn. xx
Wholeheartedly resonate with this, and also trying to explore different types of rest more. Thanks for sharing! X
Awww thanks so much Lauren!
Lauren, I swear we are on the same wave lengths at times!! My therapist literally sent me this article last week about the 7 types of rest: https://www.abilities.ca/health-activity/the-7-types-of-rest. It's been on my mind a lot lately and it was also a realization I made while brushing my teeth! I noticed how I was trying to do multiple tasks while brushing my teeth, like de-cluttering my space or scrolling through my phone. Rushing from one 'restful' task to the next. Something that I've been reflecting on and that's helped me, is your reflection on 'ease' in previous newsletters. I've been trying to bring this concept into even mundane tasks like putting my dishes away. I also think about how balance can be viewed not as something we achieve, but as something that is fluid. I know for myself I tend to idealize balance (when really it is my idea of perfection - it's exhausting!)
I find going for a walk in nature to be one of the most restorative practices. Mary Oliver's poem 'When I am among the trees', sums it up for me.
Oh my gosh, I love this! Not that I love that we’re both rushing around, but that we can relate to one another. Brushing teeth and running around doing chores.😝 I’m going to read that article that you linked right now.
Mmmm, such a good reflection on balance. Not something to “achieve”. I like that. Because as soon as something is achievable - it becomes a task to perfect. Thanks so much for this perspective!
More nature walks needed. Mary Oliver has been on my radar lately, sounds like that poem will be a good one. 🍂
Happy Thanksgiving weekend Naomi! Wishing you all the ease. xx