500th Time of Allowing Myself
by justine
Carter and I this morning during our bike ride.
What I want to tell you is this is my 500th post, and at such a milestone, I wanted to celebrate the way that bloggers do…
But I’m realizing more and more how much hustling goes on online, with word-count limits, bullet lists and productivity tricks. I mean, I knew I was avoiding that type of space, but it’s only in the past few months I’m thinking about actually creating this space, fleshing it out with my own experience and inviting you to share yours.
So instead of a give-away, top 10 list or guest posting all over the interwebs, I am here, doing my usual thing. Sharing stuff about life.
I hosted a work event last night – it went as perfectly as an annual event can, with the help of lovely volunteers and the weather knocking down the RSVP list (this is a good thing). And even though I rested beforehand and didn’t have much on my plate today, even though I had volunteers and nothing crazy happened, even though I was home and in bed before midnight and didn’t drink a single sip of alcohol – I woke up today feeling totally wiped out.
This almost always happens. The effort of planning, executing and keeping myself calm for the weeks prior and during the hours of an event, lead to some crazy post-event hangover.
I think it’s a pressure thing. I’m learning in my INFJ business class how my type is prone to over-achieving and over-extending… not to mention perfectionism.
And in honor of my INFJ-ness, I went for self-care today, but it seemed I felt worse as I tried a myriad of things: working, running errands, reading, and finally napping. Somehow even napping made me feel worse. I mean, come on.
It’s only hours later, after a walk outside in the chilly air, two Advil, a mug of hot tea, and a heat pack on my neck that I’m feeling able to do anything. Sitting here & writing is a major step up from the tears that leaked out while I changed the bed sheets.
It’s posts like Dream Time by Elizabeth that remind me it’s OK to have days like this (serendipity has her using Van Morrison too hah). It’s listening to this podcast again, Jen Lee speaking with Michael Nobbs, that remind me it’s OK to not be able to get too much done. It’s this episode of Creative Living with Jamie where they speak about honoring seasons and experiencing winter… and it’s me trying to remember where I am in the moon cycle, as maybe that’s what’s to blame for all of this.
I know a good night’s sleep will help. I know this is only temporary. And I know my body & emotions process things in ways my mind doesn’t understand… so it’s only fitting that my 500th blog post is really just me circling all of these resources and lessons again – and allowing myself to be.
xo
Allowing Myself 
What an inspiring post. Can’t wait to check out the links but baby you said it good. So glad you took good care of yourself today tears and dumb naps that make you feel worse and all!
May I link to your post on FB? Don’t want to invade your privacy.
Nina! Please do share 🙂 glad you followed my lead and took yourself to tea + reading xo
Lovely words Justine. I can relate so well to how you were feeling. Lynne and I call it “post social anxiety disorder” – what’s interesting to me is that with the right mix of people I can feel completely opposite, glowing for days… I’m going to check out the other posts you mentioned. Thanks for continuing to share your thoughts & congrats on #500!!!
Thanks Suzee – I totally know what you mean about being with the right mix of people. I didn’t see it until yesterday when I said it out lout. I’d gone out every night from Tuesday through Monday – and spent all of Sunday at a NFL football game. Social OVERLOAD. Miss you!
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