Check-in It Twice

Happy Blogmas Day 7

We’ve made it through the first week of blogmas. It’s been an adjustment period. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve been having a blast. However, it does take a lot of work. We love enjoyable work. The holidays can be a stressful time all on their own. I’ve decided to make today a check-in day. 

2020 has been a difficult year. It has taken a toll on mental health everywhere. As much as we need these magical days, we also need to recognize that it can take a lot out of us. It’s okay to feel physically as well as mentally drained. It’s going to happen, especially with all of the extra stress courtesy of 2020. 

It’s important to take time every day to check-in with yourself. Where am I on a scale of okay to pulling a Jack Nicholson? I’ll be honest, sometimes you need to hit that breaking point and have a good cry. But do you want to hit that point every time? 

Last week took a lot out of me. A lot was going on; it felt like one of those weeks where I wasn’t going to win. That’s okay. It’s going to happen from time to time. By Friday night, I was out of sorts. I had an anxiety attack. I had been going nonstop throughout most of the week. When my body and mind finally had a chance to settle, it all caught up to me. I’ve dealt with anxiety for years. I let the anxiety do its thing. I turned on Gilmore Girls and tried to breathe through it. 

After my late-night anxiety attack, I was exhausted. You know when you get to sleep, but it’s not restful? I was dragging on Saturday. I needed a nap. No amount of coffee was going to save me. I took an hour nap. It felt wonderful! Typically, I have a hard time taking naps. When I have work to get done, I feel guilty napping. I can never turn my brain off. It’s always going, thinking about the next ten things I have to get done. When I lay down to take a nap with the knowledge that other things have to be accomplished, I can’t sleep. I feel guilty for not getting things done. 

I did not feel guilty about my nap Saturday. I knew it was what my body needed. As much as I love pushing myself, I can’t always push myself. It reaches a point where the pushing becomes counterintuitive. Once I recognized how my pushing was negatively affecting me, I was able to make the right adjustments. I was able to give myself what I needed without the guilt. 

If you couldn’t tell, my Monday didn’t go as planned. Hence why the 7th day is a little later than the rest. I started my day feeling better. I felt rested with a clear head. Did aspects of my life get in the way today? Yes, which is why I’m not beating myself up over a later upload. Life is going to happen. I’m still getting the 7th day up on the 7th. 

Your mental health, as well as your physical health, is so much more important! It’s okay to take care of yourself. Stay happy and healthy this holiday season! You deserve it.