My Get Up and Go Got Up and Went

Lately I feel like I’ve been pushing myself to get through the day.

Actually, I’ve been feeling like I’m trying to push a 2000-pound hippo uphill. I barely have enough energy to stick in a thimble.

Feeling sluggish and yawning all the time is so out of character for me and I’m not likin’ it!

What’s worse, the harder I try to gather up some steam, the more depleted I become.

Talk about a vicious cycle.

I’ve tried blaming it on everything – muscle weakness, old age, poor sleeping habits, slow metabolism, toxins in the environment, lack of essential nutrients, dehydration, hormones, and even a change in the weather.

You name it – I’ve blamed it.

Then it hit me!  My lack of energy isn’t due to ANY of those things.

It’s simply due to trying to be a one-man-band as a single mom, a servant to my employers, a caregiver to my pets, a cook, a laundress, a housekeeper, a lending ear and helping hand to my patients, a friend to my friends, AND a small business owner.

I haven’t been taking any time out for ME. I’ve done nothing to re-charge my battery.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to burn out.  And if you’re feeling stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed, you could run the risk of burning out, too.

It’s time for me (and maybe YOU) to heed the sound advice of psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, lecturer, stress management consultant, and my very dear friend, Heather Bestel.

Heather is the author of a Free e-book entitled, “More ME Time”.

Download a copy as a way of doing something special just for you.  Because you may not need it today, but you may need it a week or a month from now.

Heather is a firm believer that sometimes all we need is a friendly nudge in the right direction, a word of encouragement, and beautifully simple tools to take back control, reclaim our lives, and find joy every day.

How’s your energy level these days?  What do you do when you start to feel burned out?

  • That could be a long list. 🙂 I took about a 10 year break from it, but I’m really a bookworm at heart and enjoy it when I allow myself to read for recreation. Used to drive my parents crazy because no matter where they took us on vacation I kept my nose in a book. Distinctly remember reading Hemingway on a California beach (and ended up sunburnt) instead of swimming when I was 12 or so…

    For “fun” reading I just finished Silva’s The Defector. Ludlum’s Paris Option, Baldacci’s First Family, and Flynn’s American Assassin are next on my list. It really is great for a bit of escape and relaxation (or heart-pounding action and secret spy escapades).

    • Wow, Michelle – thank you. This is a very intriguing list of books and they all sound like ones I’d like to get my hands on. I’m sort of an eclectic gal and my interests vary when it comes to TV programs, books, magazines, etc. Let’s face it, folks — I’m easy to please. 🙂

      Indulge me and allow me to throw in a tiny chunk of trivia …

      Most people don’t know that I am absolutely fascinated by the paranormal. Love, love, love to read or watch anything related to the subject. The very first home I owned was occupied by a ghost. I’ll have to tell you all my ghost stories one of these days!

  • Melanie, I know where you’re coming from! Women often feel guilty about being tired too, no matter how long the to-do list has been. In addition to taking time out, I would also suggest that a visit to the acupuncturist may be very helpful. Sometimes the seasonal change can be a challenge to adjust to, and a treatment can help you over the hump.

    • Hi Janet! You know, I’ve never visited with an acupuncturist although I’ve heard raved reviews from people who have. I’ve always been curious about the experience and the results. And I’ll tell you a secret (if you can keep it under your hat). Even though I’ve worked in traditional medicine for almost forty years, I’m a gal that would much rather seek out “alternative” solutions and remedies. Shhh … just between us, okay?

  • So true. When we’ve got as many hats to wear as we do, that tiredness is often just true exhaustion! I tend to do like you do and forget to take time out to recharge my batteries. But I picked up several novels this week and plan to give myself some free time to read and relax. 🙂

    • Wonderful idea, Michelle – I love to read and I rarely pick up a book these days. Reading is not only relaxing, it also gives you a well-deserved chance to “escape” for a while. I can’t even remember the last book I read – that’s how long it’s been. So I’m glad you chimed in here – great reminder for me to get some of those “relaxation tools” down from the shelf, dust them off, and take a much-needed break.

      Let me know which of your reads you really enjoy!

  • What a timely reminder (after I crashed the other night for 12 hours of overdue sleep)! It is SO easy to put work ahead of health and keep running on fumes till even the fumes are gone. Thank you for sharing this resource!

  • Thank you Melanie, for spreading the word.
    Over the years I’ve noticed that we women tend to put ourselves last, especially when we need to take time out for us. This week I’m giving myself lots of opportunities to recharge my batteries and spend time with the family. It all gets busy from here on – in the run up to the holidays and it’s important for us to be energized because – guess who does most of the organising and work to make Christmas such a special time? 🙂
    Thank you for encouraging more people to download my book. It really is making a difference in so many lives.
    much love
    Heather xx