WE NEED TO HIT THE "OFF" SWITCH
We live in a world that is constantly "on" - nothing ever seems to stop - even at night while we are asleep, the other half of the world is working, talking, blogging, facebooking, and generally speeding through life. We wake up and are already trying to catch up on all the things we might have missed out on while we were having the audacity to actually close our eyes for a few minutes!STRESS
Stress is the killer for us all today - it burns us out, it tires us, and drives us, and is a cruel mistress. We have so many labour-saving devices and yet we are busier than ever. Life moves at a pace that our ancestors would have shaken their heads at and probably laughed at us for being caught up in it all. How did we get here and why don't we stop every now and then and take a breath?We all feel the need to be on the ball and keeping up with everything 24/7 - there is a steady stream of information bombarding us and we don't want to miss out on any of it. People are constantly attached to their social media (I'm as guilty of this as anyone) and nobody goes anywhere without their phone these days.
PERMISSION TO REST
We need to give ourselves permission to stop and rest - to take time off the treadmill of life and to let our brains have some down time. It doesn't need to be a big vacation (they are often more tiring than our normal day to day lives!) but just finding an hour or so to walk, or read, or nap, or knit, or colour-in, or sip tea or coffee. Time to unwind from all the things that bombard us and to re-connect with our soul and let out a sigh of relief.
Sometimes it feels like we don't know how to relax any more, we are so used to filling our days, hours, minutes with busyness. Maybe we need to stop for a moment and jot down a few things that we love to do - taking a drive through the countryside, browsing through a market, doing a craft project, drinking coffee with a friend, strolling hand in hand with a loved one.....the list is endless but we have forgotten to do a lot of these things.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Take time to rest and restore and replenish - do something fun this weekend that doesn't involve a phone or a computer. Reconnect with your soul - and maybe with friends or family. Take time to remember what it was like before life got so busy and leisure got pushed aside - lets rediscover the joy of resting.
RELATED POSTS:
If you enjoyed this post, it's part of a series and you can click HERE to find links to all my "Embrace Posts" - I hope you enjoy them and they inspire you.
To keep up to date with my posts, feel free to add your email into the spot especially for it on my sidebar and I'd love you to share this post by clicking on a share button before you go xx
This post was shared at some of these great link parties
I love this. Rest and restore - my two favorite words as soon as I lock the classroom door for summer. Please be sure to link this tomorrow at my linky party. Love these encouraging posts.
ReplyDeletethanks Michelle - our daughter is a teacher and she would feel exactly the same way :)
DeleteThis is great advice. Sometimes I try to schedule my rest into the day to make sure I do it! Sort of ironic, but at least I do it then.
ReplyDeleteIt is kind of ironic Shari but I'd rather have irony + rest than just keep pushing through and miss out entirely!
DeleteI found the time and money to go on an "Extreme Self-Care Retreat" in France, which turned out to be very disappointing. I should have stayed home with a good book.
ReplyDeleteExtreme and Self-Care are almost polar opposites Brenda - it sounds like a boot-camp where "you will rest or we will punish you!" Still, I imagine France would have been rather pleasant - maybe next time you could just rent a little place and take your book :)
DeleteYou are so very right! It's so important to take time and chill - whatever makes you happy and smile inside! Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
ReplyDeleteI need to remind myself of this quite often too or I end up doing way too many things and not stopping to breathe.
DeleteStress is a big problem in my life, I stress over everything. I definitely need to make time for R&R.
ReplyDeleteYou have a LOT going on in your life Rena so I'm not surprised you have stress - although, in my opinion, you always sound really relaxed and in control - you must be good at herding your ducks in the right direction!
DeleteOh, gosh! So timely as this exact idea was the topic of my morning meditation. Your post confirms I need to pay attention, listen, better embrace rest and restoration. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting when you hear the same thing in different ways - it is definitely time to take notice when that happens so I hope you grab a bit of "me time" soon Lisa x
DeleteOh how I agree! I think some people feel they are cool if they are "24/7/365 busy." No thanks. Time to decompress is vital! Great post.
ReplyDeletePeople always wonder what you do with yourself if you have time off - I could answer with a million different ideas and I'm loving having more of that time now days.
DeleteDo something fun that doesn't require a phone or computer - that's a good word. I have been so focused on getting my blog up and running that I haven't done that in a while! Good message, Leanne!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit the same Cathy - this blogging stuff takes over your life and eats up a lot of leisure time. I'm doing my best to put it on hold for a few hours here and there so I can read, relax and let my eyes rest!
DeleteGod felt so strongly about rest it is a commandment equal to 'do not kill.' In many ways we are killing ourselves without this break. I find walking to be a meditation that helps me slow down and relax. I never listen to music of take my phone and it is wonderful, especially this time of year in Maine, to get outside and breathe in life itself. Thank you for the lovely reminder Leanne!
ReplyDeleteI find walking really works for me too Molly - fresh air, no interruptions (besides a "good morning" here and there) and a chance to think, pray and unwind.
DeleteYou are so right Leanne. I'm always rushing from one place to another trying to fit everything in. Sometimes I wonder if I enjoy everything as much as I could. I definitely plan on slowing things down in future and taking more time over enjoyable things.
ReplyDeleteSally @ Life Loving
#LifeLovingLinkie
I'm working on pacing myself and slowing down a bit more too Sally - you achieve more when you get balance back in your life.
DeleteThis is so important - I am definitely a victim of feeling like I have to be doing something "productive" all the time. Good reminder to take the time to rest and replenish.
ReplyDeleteIt's the way of our world now and I think we need to be more conscious of that and learn to give ourselves permission to rest more often :)
DeleteI came to your blog today feeling so guilty because I haven't been here much lately. This post made me feel a little better - I really have had to take a step back for a while. Thanks for telling me it is okay :) When I get time, I plan to read through the posts of yours that I have missed! I love your writing, Leanne, and you always offer a great perspective. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan - I popped over and read a few of yours the other day but (like you) my time seems to get eaten up and I need to take it a bit easier too :)
DeleteI totally agree, I have a hard time NOT constantly checking my phone or doing social media for my blog. And I do think that we are all forgetting how to actually relax and turn off. I'm working on this because like you I am way guilty!
ReplyDeleteEverything is so accessible - so even when we think we're taking a break, we're still checking our phones or reading fb or looking at something online - I'm trying really hard to disconnect from my computer more often (still a work in progress!)
DeleteYou are so right, Leanne. It's not just okay to take a break; it's necessary. I hope people are starting to get the message!
ReplyDeleteI'm the worst offender Lee - I'm learning to take my own advice though :)
DeleteThis is such great advice. I have become really bad for feeling guilty if I'm not doing something all the time, because there is always something I'm behind with that I should be doing, but you're right it is exhausting to be always doing & not resting at all.
ReplyDeleteIt's finding that balance that is tricky isn't it - doing what needs to be done, but finding a little bit of down time to replenish.
DeleteHaving trouble leaving comments, Leanne. Hopefully this one takes! Very enjoyable read and so important that we take time away from our responsibilities!
ReplyDeleteYes it "took" Terri and thanks for persevering! You are my inspiration for taking interesting vacations and pursuits in your time away :)
DeleteAh.... wonderful rest. Why is it so hard to find? Why is it so hard to give ourselves? I needed this post today. Think I'll go read a book. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGood girl! Our world tells us we need to be busy to be valuable, but I think we need to turn that on its head now and then Laurie :)
DeleteYou are so right. And I think a lot of it is because of this Global Village we belong to. A couple of generations ago, folk only had to think of their own town and maybe the towns nearby. Now we're in touch with the entire world - and yes! It never stops.
ReplyDeleteLOL. I definitely needed this reminder today as I'm trying to do it all...thanks.
ReplyDelete