It found me.
The flu bug that has been going around stopped by my place for a visit. More like barged through the door without knocking first.
It has been a constant companion all week.
The feverish chills, low energy, foggy mind. Rest my body whispers. Rest, it says again. Rest, it repeats just a little louder. I rest. I pause. I drink the fluids. I rest some more.
This was to be a week of launching! A week of excitedly sharing my revamped weekly newsletter. About moving forward and trying new things. About sharing ideas and inspiration with others. But, alas, life had other plans. That silly universe really can punch you in the face when you least expect it, right?!
When I am feeling down old temptations start to creep in. Binge TV instead of sleeping. Dive face-first into a bag of chips instead of eating nourishing soups. Shop mindlessly online instead of being intentional with what I purchase. Scroll Instagram until I am cross-eyed instead of reading a book.
I find myself tempted to do anything just to get that dopamine feel-good rush. Even if it's temporary. Even if I might (definitely will) regret it later. I just want to feel like myself again! So I tell myself β¦ Chips will definitely help. That new sweater will definitely make me feel better. In desperation ... I crave and seek anything and everything.
Anyone else feel this way? Surely I'm not the only one.
When I am tired or sick or sad or just generally beaten down by life the urge to reach for the things that will perk me up in the most temporary of ways is strong even if I will feel worse not long afterwards.
This week I could feel myself craving so-called comforts. It all just felt like too much work to do things that would help my healing. But if Iβve learned anything over the years the best thing I can do when my world tips over and feels chaotic is to pause and notice before doing anything.
Pause ... Stop the runaway train of emotion to pause and check in with myself. Take a deep breath. Put the phone down. Sit quietly for a moment. Just Pause.
Notice ... How am I feeling? What am I craving? Am I rushing to fix things? What do I already know to be true?
I don't jump into problem-solving mode. I don't try this that and the other thing.
I simply Pause and Notice.
Taking a moment to check in with myself and quiet the outside noise gives me the clarity I need to move forward. It reminds me that soup is the answer to a flu bug, not chips. It reminds me that going to bed early stops the mindless scroll. It reminds me that I will feel regret later if I give in to the cravings.
The answers are there. They always are. I just have to slow down long enough to listen.
Tell me ... what do you do when you aren't feeling well? How do you care for yourself?
On this first weekend in February, with January firmly in the rearview mirror, I look forward to some outside time and clearing the cooties from my house. Spring is coming, right?
Walking forward with gratitude,
Sarah
PS - I'd love it if you shared this newsletter with others who you think might benefit.
one more thing β¦
A reminder from Walking Forward that I needed this week! Watch this video for some tools when you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed β¦
" ... the power of calming the space around me, making a list, asking for help, hitting reset, and starting small are all tools that work for me when I am feeling stuck and overwhelmed."