I’m the type of person who always likes to have something on their calendar. I fill my social life with friends and family and dates, usually booked up every night of the week and weekends. Throughout the week, I also commit to volunteer work with KCinfertility, engaging with my young adult group at church, and fitting in the side-hustle photoshoots on most weekends. I’m also very engaged with my work, which typically runs on a busy schedule and can take up my “free time” with events and games and meetings (all of which I know is part of the gig in college athletics). But you know something I never schedule in? Rest. And today my body and mind needed rest.
We are a society that is on the go, rarely stopping to be present or to enjoy the daily adventures of life. We know that rest is essential to our overall health and well-being, and I usually pride myself on getting my ample-8hrs of sleep every night. But just because I think I’m sleeping enough doesn’t mean I’m actually getting enough rest or down time.
There are several reasons why I fill my planner with so many commitments. One reason is that I thrive on social interactions and relationships. I need others in my life and I’m well-aware of this, so seeing my friends and parents often is a top priority when allocating my time. Another reason is that I’m out dating and meeting new people and seeing where connections might be. Finding someone to share my life with is another priority of my time, and throughout the last year and a half, I’ve had to work to find balance in this area.
I also fill my time because being with others fills me up, and frankly, sometimes (well, lots of times) I don’t want to actually have to sit and deal with myself. To sit in the quiet, in the alone-time, and just be. I tend to do a little self-work and growth, and then think “Ok, nice work Amelia, you’re all fixed for the week/month, so no need to rest and be reflective.” That’s when my body says back, “Nice try friend, but you need to slow your roll and chill today.” Well, at least that’s what it said to me this morning when my alarm went off.
And today I chose to listen to my body as she said “You need to rest. And that is ok.” Rest may look different for other people, but for me it is about intentionally listening to my body and giving it what it needs, which today was a day at home with the ability to physically rest my body and mind. I know I’m fortunate to have the flexibility and support in my workplace for personal time, especially during this season of the academic calendar. And I know it’s not always like this, so I need to start listening to my body more and as I fill my planner with commitments, commit myself to intentional rest and to not feel guilty about it.
So let’s work to embrace rest like we embrace other priorities in life. As I continue to press on, I’ll be leaning into rest more and I’ll value it as a commitment like I do with my social/work/volunteer ones. Because just like it’s ok to play, it’s ok to rest. As I’m learning, it’s all about balance.
Pressing On 