Taking Breaks

I read something in a book awhile ago that really struck me.  I think it was in The Miracle Morning.  It talked about having cycles in your life-periods of high, intensive productivity followed by periods of rest and rejuvenation.  That really resonated with me because I wasn’t doing it.  I felt like I had to have the high, intensive productivity all of the time.  When I would inevitably burn out and need to take a break, I’d feel like I was weak or doing something wrong.  It sounds so ridiculous when I put it into words, but it was hard for me to honor those times when I needed to rest and find rejuvenation.  I’m ambitious and didn’t like slowing down.

But life has been better when I honor those times.  I know they are needful and good, and I also know that they will lead me back to the periods of high productivity that I enjoy.

These last couple of weeks have been full of so much rest and rejuvenation.  That doesn’t mean that I haven’t done anything productive, or completely dropped my healthy habits and daily practices.  It means that I just spent more of my time hanging out with family, playing games, doing puzzles, watching movies, reading, doing fun activities with my kids.  I stayed up later with the people I love and slept in to accommodate that.  I completely ignored my calendar and list of things to get done.  It was extremely restful and rejuvenating.

Now… I’m ready to tackle some big things.  The time I spent relaxing and doing things I enjoy refueled me and renewed my excitement and enthusiasm to accomplish great things.

So listen to yourself.  If you are feeling burned out, stressed, overwhelmed, or unexcited….it’s time to rest and rejuvenate.  Honor that.  Embrace it.  Your life will be better when you do.