05.14.07
Permission for a Breather
Things have been quiet around here for the past week or so and that’s because I had to give myself permission to take a breather from some things in my life so I could think and stew and mull and digest everything that has been happening to me. During the past week I was observing myself and thinking about things that are important to me. It was interesting for me to watch the baggage that surrounded the idea that I needed to 
take a break from all the things that were going on in my life. I had periods of guilt, of feeling lazy, of fear that I was missing out on something. The reality was that I needed a break so I had a chance to emotionally and spiritually catch up with the changes in my life.
I think it’s interesting that I could work myself into the ground–forsaking family and friends and the little things in my life that bring me joy and I would not feel the same kind of emotional baggage that came along with the time I spent reconnecting with myself, my friends, and my family. I began to wonder why I felt like I had to produce something to be truly productive. Oh look. Produce and Productive are practically the same word. Apparently this baggage is hard wired into the language!
Part of honoring ourselves as whole beings is honoring the downtime as much as the times when we’re actively producing. That means we seek fulfillment in the times we have something to show for our efforts and the times we are engaging in reflection and relaxation. I’ve always been the type of person who needs reflection time after bursts of activity, I’ve just never embraced that side of myself without feeling like I was checking out from what I was supposed to be doing. What I forgot is that I’m “supposed” to be living my life and seeking joy.
Here are some questions that may help you take a break from productivity baggage if you’ve been carrying it around:
- What do you do to recharge?
- Do you feel guilty when you do this? Why?
- What did you do the times you didn’t feel guilty for relaxing?
- How can you incorporate your down time into every day?
