I have definitely slowed down a lot since I’ve had Covid, not once, but twice. I don’t always have time to rest during the day but will always try to get my eight hours of sleep and do what I can during the day time hours available and try not to beat myself up when I can’t get something done.
Well done for looking after yourself. Sometimes rest is letting yourself stare out of the window for a few minutes. I think it's the attitude to take care of ourselves which makes the difference.
Oct 29, 2023·edited Oct 29, 2023Liked by Cali Bird
I have had that book loaned out from the library for months. I read a bit. I've been aware of the stress of success and responsibility since 10th grade. I tried to throw my type A overboard in 1980 at the age of 20. https://journalisa.substack.com/p/the-week-i-turned-from-being-type But Type A isn't something one can throw over easily. I even had On-Site Stress Reductionist on my massage therapy card. I know that stress is the cause of 95% of illness. Stress is insidious. Working and then getting creative at 7pm, doing at 10pm, then sleeping from 3am-7am to get ready for work and to do it all over again. Never mind family, and upkeep obligations of time and energy. I know. I got cancer at 50. We get cancer when we've avoided the many other messages our body has been giving us, but we haven't been listening. It's quite a hoax, this need to overachieve instead of truly living in and being comfortable with our own skin. The older I get the more I realize how my energy really rides, and I don't try to override it anymore. But it took me 14 years with cancer to come to this realization.
It's it amazing how we learn these essential life lessons from illness. I'm really looking at this need to achieve in myself. I've only read a small section of the book and it is very good food for though for me.
I think you’re on the right track for you. I’m on my journey. I have been forced one could say, much like you, to shift. I’m a gear head so I’m always relating to shifting gears. Recently, I had to downshift. To resist would mean I would suffer. I won’t intentionally resist what is again. I’m completely surrendered now. Pressure will come in distractions. I can only do my best. Surrendered 🪷
Thank you for this! I downloaded that book but never started listening. I have trouble getting myself to stop my busy mind even for meditation, but I always feel better when I do! Some cultures have the concept of a siesta built right in. It seems like those that don’t have a very rigid view of what a good life means. I love that we live in a time where we can expand that.
The book is a very interesting read. It is certainly making me question how I've always been! The interview is worth a listen as it will give you a flavor of it all and only takes an hour :)
I have been doing yoga nidra, as well, but I paused a few days ago because I felt like it was stirring up too much for me. I do think it's a helpful practice, though, and hope to feel able to return to it soon.
I found yoga nidra weird when I first started. It would leave me whacked out for the rest of the day. But then I grew to like it and enjoy my brief nap while it is happening!
I have definitely slowed down a lot since I’ve had Covid, not once, but twice. I don’t always have time to rest during the day but will always try to get my eight hours of sleep and do what I can during the day time hours available and try not to beat myself up when I can’t get something done.
Well done for looking after yourself. Sometimes rest is letting yourself stare out of the window for a few minutes. I think it's the attitude to take care of ourselves which makes the difference.
I have had that book loaned out from the library for months. I read a bit. I've been aware of the stress of success and responsibility since 10th grade. I tried to throw my type A overboard in 1980 at the age of 20. https://journalisa.substack.com/p/the-week-i-turned-from-being-type But Type A isn't something one can throw over easily. I even had On-Site Stress Reductionist on my massage therapy card. I know that stress is the cause of 95% of illness. Stress is insidious. Working and then getting creative at 7pm, doing at 10pm, then sleeping from 3am-7am to get ready for work and to do it all over again. Never mind family, and upkeep obligations of time and energy. I know. I got cancer at 50. We get cancer when we've avoided the many other messages our body has been giving us, but we haven't been listening. It's quite a hoax, this need to overachieve instead of truly living in and being comfortable with our own skin. The older I get the more I realize how my energy really rides, and I don't try to override it anymore. But it took me 14 years with cancer to come to this realization.
It's it amazing how we learn these essential life lessons from illness. I'm really looking at this need to achieve in myself. I've only read a small section of the book and it is very good food for though for me.
I think you’re on the right track for you. I’m on my journey. I have been forced one could say, much like you, to shift. I’m a gear head so I’m always relating to shifting gears. Recently, I had to downshift. To resist would mean I would suffer. I won’t intentionally resist what is again. I’m completely surrendered now. Pressure will come in distractions. I can only do my best. Surrendered 🪷
Well done for your surrendering process. I guest that's what I'm doing too. Acceptance and surrender are not easy but eventually the body teaches how!
Thank you for this! I downloaded that book but never started listening. I have trouble getting myself to stop my busy mind even for meditation, but I always feel better when I do! Some cultures have the concept of a siesta built right in. It seems like those that don’t have a very rigid view of what a good life means. I love that we live in a time where we can expand that.
The book is a very interesting read. It is certainly making me question how I've always been! The interview is worth a listen as it will give you a flavor of it all and only takes an hour :)
I have been doing yoga nidra, as well, but I paused a few days ago because I felt like it was stirring up too much for me. I do think it's a helpful practice, though, and hope to feel able to return to it soon.
I found yoga nidra weird when I first started. It would leave me whacked out for the rest of the day. But then I grew to like it and enjoy my brief nap while it is happening!