This morning, I woke up and went over my schedule for the day and everything I needed to get done before the weekend. I have a rule that I do not bring work home with me on the weekends. My weekends belong to my kids and to rest. In the past seven years, I can count on one hand how many weekends I have worked. Protecting that boundary is something I had to learn, and now I take it seriously.
Recently, someone asked me how I decompress from my busy, day to day life. The truth is, it took me a long time to even learn how to slow down. For a long time, I thought rest had to look a certain way. I thought it had to be big, planned, or impressive.
We live in a world where social media makes it seem like peace only exists if you are traveling, shopping, going to Pilates, or constantly out doing something. And if I am being honest, sometimes I catch myself comparing my life to what I see online and wondering if I am doing enough. But I am learning that decompressing does not have to look the same for everyone. It does not have to be expensive, extravagant, or something you post online. Sometimes it is about slowing down and choosing yourself in small ways.
For me, it starts with being intentional and planning for rest the same way I plan for everything else.
At least once a month, I pull a note from a jar. Inside that jar are sticky notes with small activities I can do. Whether it is something at home, something to do for the day, or even a simple two night weekend getaway. It does not have to be an extravagant vacation. Most of the time, it is just about giving myself time to breathe.
But balance for me is not only about what I do at the end of the day. Sometimes it is found in the quiet moments in the early morning or in the middle of the day. I try to take time to write and blog whenever I can. That is another way I decompress and reconnect with myself. It is something I genuinely enjoy, and it reminds me to slow down and be present.
On a regular day, decompressing might look like putting the kids to bed early and running myself a warm bubble bath while I read a book. Other nights, it might look like sitting on my Livingroom floor working on a puzzle, painting, or starting a small DIY project. Some nights, I journal. Some nights, I order myself dinner, stay in, and watch a good movie. None of it is complicated. All of it helps.
I am learning that rest does not always mean doing nothing. Sometimes rest is doing something that fills you back up.
Finding balance in life is about learning what you need in each season. Some days you need quiet. Some days you need creativity. Some days you need to unplug from everyone and everything.
I am learning that peace is not found in constantly doing more. It is found in giving yourself permission to slow down, to enjoy your life as it is, and to take care of yourself without guilt.
And honestly, that kind of balance is the one thing I am protecting at all costs.
Love ya, BYE!
Tee Talk 