As I was pondering the constant heaviness most of us are experiencing with this pandemic, it occurred to me that its weight is no longer just about the horrid ramifications of the pandemic itself, it’s also about having a microscope on every part of our lives – from a personal scale to a broader worldly one. This can feel like an extremely heavy burden to carry, which is why it’s more important than ever to prioritize recharging self-care. We all carry the weight of this pandemic, and all that’s under our scopes, differently. Therefore, your self-care is unlike anyone else’s, not to mention we each have our own individualized energy fuel tanks which require filling when they’re on low or empty. It's easy to assume we all have equal tanks and can play the comparison game. However, you could be someone who needs a couple more hours of sleep compared to your partner. Or, you may get more out of reading a book compared to someone else getting more out of taking a walk. There is no wrong way to recharge, but it helps to know that your energy tank is specialized to you. Understanding how to gauge your personal energy level is about recognizing the signs of depletion. It could be feelings of fatigue, irritability, imbalance, etc; you know you best, so you’ll know when something feels off. If you notice a sign, recognize it by giving it attention and acknowledgment rather than ignoring it or putting it off. The next step is about being honest with yourself and others around you about what you need to recharge. The last and most important step is to take action and follow through to recharge sooner rather than later. Earlier this week, I hit a point of exhaustion. I wanted to ignore it and go about my day, but my intuition kept nagging at me that I needed more rest. I thought I was making a big deal out of being a little tired, but when I was really honest with myself, I realized I was drained to the bone from something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it was from work, from keeping the house clean, from yard work, from exercising, from living through a pandemic, or just from being a human. I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t need to know the 'why' to know that I needed to recharge. There never actually needs to be a clarified reason behind prioritizing rest. If you really want to understand the reason, you probably won’t figure it out anyway until you’ve gotten the relief you need. When my exhaustion pulled me down, I listened; I conceded. It wasn’t fun to do this as I felt like I was putting life on hold, but I’ve learned in order to keep enjoying it, I must take downtime. I was able to shift my plans and because of it, I feel like my fuel tanks got a major boost and I have the energy needed to continue forward. Shifting plans to recharge is easier said than done, especially when they involve responsibilities and/or others who depend on you. If you are lucky enough to have a good support system, it’s imperative you engage in their help. A supportive community includes understanding people who want the best for you, but they won’t know you need support if you don’t advocate for your own self-care. This is not medical advice, but rather a self-care testimony/warning: every time I have ignored the need to fill my tanks, I've gotten run down and, a lot of the time, gotten sick. I’ve learned that taking time to recharge right away when I’m feeling off saves so much time and discomfort in the long run. My intent here is not to add to any fear out there, rather I want to share my experience that prioritizing recharging my self-care has helped me stay balanced and restabilize. This is my outcome/pattern when I don't heed the low fuel tank warning. You may have a different outcome, but whatever it is, it's better to take action to fill your energy tanks with self-care when you’re running on fumes so you can feel balanced, recharged, and strong to carry on with whatever is under your scope. Take care of yourself always and recharge your self-care often. Kelly Stone Cramer https://www.happinessrecharge.com Want to reach out? Connect with me via email at Kelly@HappinessRecharge.com. For more uplifting messages, view all past recharge tips here.
This content is considered to be life advice and not for medical purposes. If you need medical attention, please consult your doctor. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness, rather it's a sign of strength that you're advocating for your self-care.