Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.
Anne Lamont
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had technical difficulties with my computer or some equipment and my techno-savvy husband has asked, “Did you unplug it, did you reboot it, just turn it off and restart it.”
Anne Lamont’s quote about unplugging things, including yourself, made me think of my current situation. And how sometimes events happen that are completely outside of our span of control and we are forced to unplug and take some needed downtime.
A few weeks ago, I went to see a movie with my husband and two of our young adult children. The movie was just about to begin, so I decided to make a quick trip to the restroom. I would be back in plenty of time, and hopefully not miss any of the movie. Unfortunately, my plan did not work very well. I tripped and found myself sprawled on the floor with a scrapped-up throbbing knee.
Seriously! I hugged the wall all the way to the bathroom. Limping back to the movie, I was spotted by one of the employees. She graciously offered to bring a bag of ice to my seat in the movie theater.
My family was too engrossed to notice my pronounced limp as I inched to my seat in the theater. But they sure noticed when an employee appeared with ice. My daughter immediately turned to me and said, “What did you do?”
I tried to whisper, “Don’t worry about it.” But of course, she wouldn’t let it go… I urgently replied, “I tripped, now be quiet and watch the movie.”
My knee was throbbing and it was difficult to focus on anything other than the pain, so I don’t remember much from the movie. I kept having the recurring thought, “ I don’t have time for this.” All I needed was a knee injury. I had too many things I needed to get completed that weekend and in the coming week.
The next morning my husband drove me to a cranial sacral therapy appointment. I left my appointment with instructions to lay low and take it easy. I was to stay off my knee, keep from walking, and in general relax. Yeah, tell that to a triple-type A personality with a list a mile long.
It’s actually kind of funny, do you know the saying,” Physician, heal thyself?”
I absolutely understand the importance of taking the time to rest, relax and regenerate. It’s just bloody hard for me to sit still. For me sitting still is hard work. Yet I’m perfectly capable of encouraging others to take that necessary time to rest and relax and rejuvenate so they can be their best person going forward.
So do I have anything to say that’s pithy and important today? Yup – it’s ok to chill, relax, unplug and give yourself permission to slow down.
And because I’ve given myself permission to slow down and relax I was able to both nap and read a good book! And I’ve also had more time to sit and relax and get in touch with a few friends for an overdue chat. As I endured my forced relaxation, I realized there were more things I could be delegating or asking for help on. As painful as it is to admit, my injury did teach me a few things! Mainly, it reinforced that it’s important to rest and take time for yourself, before your body rebels and MAKES you take the time. In this case, my knee injury forced me to significantly slow down.
I’d love to hear from you. When was a time that you slowed down and did something force you to slow down?
I hope this blog encourages you to both practice and incorporate more types of self-care.
One of my BIG self-care items this year was to write and publish my novel.
“UnMasked” was released on June 13, 2023 and is available for order on Amazon at: https://a.co/d/fCkRf8z as well as Barnes & Noble and Walmart and available in some Indie bookstores.
“UnMasked” features three strong women, Patti, Jen and Kylie; the grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. These three generations face a challenge that will forever change their family legacy.
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