So many things these days stretch our energy and attention. Following a national election, for instance. Or the unfolding weather catastrophes that have impacted so many. Meanwhile, there is the day-to-day juggling of work, parenting, personal budgets, caring for aging parents, and being present in relationships with ourselves or partners. All these things and more have an energy cost.  I’m not talking about the financial details or numbers; I’m talking about the inner energy of living – the “cost” of being human in a weary world. 

Maybe you are like me, you’ve sought to guard your heart from media, reduce your time on social media, and mind yourself when it comes to relationships. Maybe you’ve cut back on the energy you put into certain relationships after noticing the impact of negativity. You’ve kept your focus close – on those activities and people that provide inner fuel. You’ve stayed the course on your own efforts to make healthy choices when it comes to eating and exercise. You try to stay on a consistent sleep schedule. You are ticking as many boxes as possible when it comes to self-care. Yet, it might not feel like enough. 

Learning to combat the overwhelm is real. 

We can do all the things mentioned above and still feel worn down by it all. We can push and pursue and strive and keep on doing. But where are we letting ourselves be? 

 This is the real rub, isn’t it. That somehow, we need to turn the tables on doing and simply be. I don’t know about you, but I find that to be hard. Some days the energy it takes to focus, stay the course, or work through the to-do list is all I have. I can’t imagine even uncovering a bit of the being part. I feel lost to it. 

That’s when I know I need to step away from it all. 

To take as much of a break as I can allow myself. For me, that’s finding a way to be in nature without getting out there and pushing hard. Without the intention of a walk worth 6,000 steps which puts it in the realm of my fitness activity rather than my inner rest activity. 

Whatever happened to sitting on the porch listening to the birds? What about losing oneself in a really good book? When was the last time you did that? What was the book? You know, the one you couldn’t put down? When was the last time you truly planned and created a delicious meal for yourself or others? When did you participate in a painting class? When did you dig in the dirt to plant something? When were you able to just be with the silence of yourself without looking at your phone to check email, social media or to shop? When did you allow yourself simply to be with yourself? Without trying to fix anything including yourself? 

Because we live in the times we do, I think this kind of self-care is truly radical. 

Taking a step back from everything to be with yourself in ways that are restful or nurturing. Take a time out by creating some kind of getaway…even if it is an at-home getaway. (Some days running away from home looks pretty good. What I mean is giving yourself something you hunger and thirst for. Something that will help you find yourself again). 

Do you remember building blanket forts as a kid? A place where you could drag pillows, favorite toys, and books together under the cover of a big blanket? How can you build yourself a blanket fort today? Give yourself permission to play with this or any other idea that comes to you as you read this. What will you do to create your own reset? 

If you find yourself feeling stuck, without access to your own creativity, coaching may offer the encouragement, reflection, and inspiration you need. 

Reach out if you would like to participate in a discovery session. Or consider signing up for the new 45-minute, 1:1 micro-coaching Live the Questions session. See the full description at www.watershedmomentscoaching.com.