Bypassing rest straight into burnout
Learning the language of our wise bodies
When I found myself in yoga class this week welling up with tears, I knew I needed a break. The instructor started class off reminding us how easy it is to get caught up in all the doing. We bypass rest straight into burnout. At first I didn’t think this applied to me— I’ve been feeling great lately. My energy is good. I’ve started weight training and running again and have clear goals within the realms of personal and business. Pushing, striving and showing up when it’s hard has been worthwhile and needed. But with my forehead resting on my mat in child’s pose, letting the instructor’s words seep in, my wise body was moved to tears. A tension within me desperately wanted to release. I hadn’t slowed down long enough to let my body speak.
During that yoga class I let the sweat pour out of me and the movement be easy. I felt free. I felt at ease. For just an hour I released the striving and tension. Ironically, I was still active and exerting, but I was tapped in rather than on the verge of tapping out. If you’re needing a permission slip to take a break, let this be it. Take a nap, dance it out, shut off your phone for an hour, or even just let go of the mental gymnastics for five deep breaths. With rest we can return to the important work of our lives with presence and space.
Talk next week,
Amanda be
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