As I write this, I am completely exhausted. This is due to a number of factors including recovering from a boot camp last weekend (I am writing this on Wednesday).
I need rest.
This is a non negotiable.
I can’t ‘just push through’ otherwise I end up sick.
I have to put myself first, both my mental and physical health count on it.
Talking with a friend recently, she pointed out that, especially for neurodivergent people, we need to schedule recovery times around running events. So, instead of a speech, for example, taking up one day with travel and attending the event, we need two days, the day of the speech and the next day for recovery.
I am doing a business program right now and was worried about the hours I was reporting, then it hit me – my rest time, my recovery time, is all part of my work too, as if I don’t have that, I can’t do anything else.
I need my breaks. I need my slow start to the day. I need a long, quiet lunch break. I need naps. These are not ‘nice to have’ things, I am realising how important this is for me to be able to function.
Things that I need to do in order to build rest into my day/week include not charging by the hour, instead charging by the project or service so I can build in that rest time, as well as have more passive income opportunities so I can make money while I sleep. This includes book sales, as well as things like my RedBubble shop and some subscription ideas I have in the planning.
Rest is a non-negotiable in my life, and changing my mindset to see it as productive time is something that I am working on. After a lifetime of putting everyone else first (partner, kids, employers, etc), I need to prioritise my own health, then I can better be there for others, and it’s not simply having a bubble bath, it’s a whole lifestyle thing.
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