Have you ever had one of those days that feels like a whirlwind, like everything is happening all at once yet nothing is getting done? Like you are being pulled in a million different directions and don’t know which way to go first. When you can’t wait for the day to be over so you can go home but when you get there you realize that you still have things to do? You may want to just crawl into bed and pull the covers over your head; but if you do that who’s going to make dinner or take the kids to the activity/activities for the evening. Who is going to feed the laundry and start the trash and set out the dog? Wait what? Oh, forget it… Sometimes, it feels like the world is caving in around you. We give every last bit of ourselves to everyone and everything, until there is nothing left to give, and our bodies finally make us take a break. That cough that won’t go away or the headache that hits just as your co-worker starts the same story for the 3rd time this week, are all signs that you are tired. Maybe not physically but emotionally, mentally or spiritually you are drained.
While working in social services we were warned about compassion fatigue or caregiver fatigue. That constant give, give, give without take a moment to fill you own bucket back up. Eventually you run dry, and there’s nothing left to give. We as a society need to learn to make ourselves a priority. I am very aware that taking the time we need to recharge is something we put off because in the end it might take longer to catch back up. But think about how much time it will take if you are out for an extended period because of illness or injury.
As the season of love approaches, we are going to issue a little challenge; we want you to show yourself some love. Call a timeout; a pre-k pause, a me day, self-care Sunday, call it whatever you need to but make sure that you take time for you. Share some pictures or ideas of how we can show self-love, or what you love about yourself.
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