When Rest is Essential: Taking Time for Myself
I’ve decided to take a week-long break from people and my phone, especially WhatsApp and Instagram. Emotionally, I haven’t been in a good place lately, and much of that stems from having my mom here for a month. That might sound harsh, but let me explain.
Over the years, I’ve learned that I absolutely need time to recharge. For me, that means quiet, uninterrupted time where I can rest and reset. I recharge through things like audiobooks, knitting, crochet, photography, walks, Bible study, or simply being left alone on the couch. But for the past month, I’ve had no time to myself. I’ve been so focused on making sure my mom enjoyed her stay and was entertained that I’ve put my own needs aside. I haven’t had a moment that wasn’t filled with someone else’s agenda, and it’s starting to take a toll.
Tomorrow, my mom heads home, and as much as I’ll miss her, I’m ready to take back some time for myself and get back to a healthier emotional state.
Don’t get me wrong—the time with my mom has been wonderful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But it’s been different for me, constantly catering to her daily requests. Now that she’s leaving, I can look back and say it was all worth it. But I also recognize that I desperately need to recharge. Yesterday, I had a bad migraine, but instead of resting, I went shopping with my mom, which, to be honest, brought out the worst in me. I felt like a monster, wanting to push away everyone around me. The migraine still hasn’t let up, but with her busy packing today, I’ve finally had a bit of space to breathe.
I couldn’t go into work today because the pain just won’t go away, even after taking painkillers. Staying home was definitely the right choice—since I work with kids, there’s no way I could handle that level of energy in my current state. If I could barely tolerate my family, I definitely wouldn’t be able to handle my students. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.
On a brighter note, we’ve had the best apple harvest from our Garden Cottage this year. My husband brought them home yesterday, and they are honestly the sweetest, most flavorful apples I’ve ever had. I’ve got plans to make apple pie and apple butter, and I’m even toying with the idea of trying my hand at apple strudel. But all of that will have to wait until this migraine passes. I did end up seeing the doctor and got a shot, so hopefully, that helps because I really need to be better by Thursday.
Tomorrow, I’m planning to spend some much-needed time with God and do some deep reflection. There are things within me that only He can fix, and I know that now is the time to seek that healing.
