Last Friday I created & posted this to my social media accounts:
It’s a message I’ve always felt strongly about – I’ve written about self-compassion & the importance of being kind to yourself before – and with everything currently going on, I am compelled to highlight it again.
You see, I applaud anyone who is seeking the positive from this situation. If you’re using lockdown as an opportunity to get fit, write a novel, try new things, that is brilliant. Keep going!
But recently there seems to be unspoken pressure that if you’re not following suit and being your most productive, you’re in someway failing. Please let me assure you, you are not.
I do believe we are all capable of amazing things regardless of the circumstances.
Some of the greatest human accomplishments have occurred in the most challenging of times. But we also need to be capable of knowing when we need to go easy on ourselves, when we need to just be.
There are days when I wake up feeling super productive, when I’m able to be on top of everything and there are also days when the only thing I feel capable of being on top of is my bed. And that’s OK. Whilst I can’t always take to my bed – I’m a mum with kids at home – I can listen and be responsive to my brain telling me – can you go a bit more gently on me today please?
I’ll be honest, I’m writing this in my PJ’s!
I gave myself a day full of as much rest as my circumstances allowed. Could I have gone for a run? Completed my course assignment due this week? Baked with my kids? Probably yes, if I really pushed myself – but should I have? Absolutely not – my brain was over-processing & needed a rest!
My mental well-being will thank me for it tomorrow.
Now more than ever, you need to be attuned to yourself…
Give yourself the time to learn when it’s right to push yourself and equally when to give yourself a break.
Nobody truly has the answer to the right things to do, nobody has experienced this before. It’s not one coping strategy fits all – that’s flawed thinking in normal times & just plain crazy thinking right now.
So what if you don’t come out of lockdown speaking fluent mandarin with well defined abs & a house so organised Marie Kondo would be asking you for tips. The most important thing is that there is actually a YOU coming out of lockdown. A you who has looked after yourself & did the best you were capable of in any given moment. That is all we should be asking of ourselves right now.
Stay safe & be kind to yourself.
Recommended Further Reading:
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How We as Parents Can Maintain Self-Care During Lockdown
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Why Your Well-Being Matters Most Right Now
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Positive Affirmations For Use Anytime & Anywhere
Well said Alex! I’ve been keeping busy because it has distracted me from things and has prevented me from feeling trapped. However, I think I tired myself out, so instead Im resting up on the sofa in the PJs watching a boxset – and do you know what? I’m REALLY enjoying it. Like you, I’ve started to flit between being productive and taking some much needed downtime and rest. It’s doing wonders for my mental wellbeing. x
Thank you! Yes, it’s all about balance and getting yourself through in the way that works best for you, isn’t it! So pleased to hear you’ve got the balance now & it’s working positively for you xx
I’ve been quite enjoying the break honestly! I know it’s under less than favourable circumstances, but i’ve been getting some much needed time off work. Great blog post. xx
I’m really pleased you’re taking the positive from it. Keep up looking after yourself, and thanks for sharing xx
Thank you, Alex. You are so right, sometimes we treat ourselves like machines, and in fact we are of course human beings subject to surges of strength as well as feelings of weakness and restlessness. All these things make us special, and there are times to be productive and times to go easy, take stock and rest.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, & you’re right, these things do make us special indeed xx
As my mindfulness teacher always used to say “We are human beings not human doings!” 🙂 I’m glad you are being gentle on yourself, I decided in the past two days not to beat myself up for not creating fun activities with my daughter which is all I had been seeing on instagram. Because my pain was so bad I could barely move off the sofa, so I decided instead of feeling guilty and sad, o just try hard to relax and it did really help and she still enjoyed herself because I was in a better mood. We put too much pressure and expectation on ourselves. Have a lovely weekend xx
You’re right, we do put too much pressure & expectation on ourselves and I’m very glad to hear you showed yourself the compassion you needed too. I love what your mindfulness teacher said! Thanks for sharing xx
Another great post with practical advice Alex. I think it’s so important to take a ‘rest’ day or afternoon or hour to recharge our batteries, especially at the moment. I have to admit, I am still sometimes a bit hard on myself if I’m not as productive as I would’ve like to have been and then I get annoyed at myself for being hard on myself, haha. But you hit the nail on the head – the most important thing is that it is US coming out of this lockdown. 🙂
Thank you Gemma, that is very kind of you to say. It can be a catch-22 situation sometimes can’t it! Only we know what we truly need or feel in any given moment & it’s important we act with love & compassion – it’s a balancing act for certain – stay well & kind to yourself xx
It really is! Thank you, you too xx
This is so inspiring. As a mom I feel guilty if I take a break and have some me time. There’s days when I just don’t want to get off the couch! This is such a great reminder that it’s ok to take it easy some days and that I shouldn’t feel guilty.
Thank you! I think (especially at the moment) me time is essential – your mind can become just as exhausted as your body, please don’t feel guilty about rest & switch-off – everyone will benefit I promise xx