I realize that I need to give myself a break. And…I’m willing to bet that you may need to do the same.
I’m keeping up with important responsibilities. I take my dogs to the vet, make food for the family every other day, and take myself to the doctor’s appointments. I researched the best cars to consider for the biggest purchase we’ll have in a long time and made a decision. It’s a new car, but it’s still affordable and gets amazing gas mileage (it’s a hybrid, and I love it).
I stepped into the role of travel agent and planned our most recent trip to a nearby city a while ago. We were lucky enough to go on a cruise to Bermuda, too. Just a note: we’re holding back this year because saving is important!
The Quiet Work That Makes a Life Feel Full
I made tea sandwiches for high tea at home—for crying out loud—complete with the tiered plates and homemade strawberry shortcake for dessert. We enjoyed a weekend with our nieces at the water park.
I used the zucchini my husband brought home from work to make zucchini bread twice: once as an homage to my late grandma, and once to share with my nieces, brother, and sister. The extra loaf I sent with my hubby to take to work to thank his boss for the zucchini.
Letting It Sink In
When will it sink in?
No doubt…you’ve been struggling to really, truly think about your accomplishments, too.
I’m feeling emotional just reflecting on all of these beautiful things. And this is all recent stuff. What I’m doing is good, what I’m doing matters. And it revolves around the most important thing to me: my family—both here and those who have passed.
It’s not like the best days are behind me! The same goes for you.
Asking “What Now?” Without Dismissing “What Is”
I want to respect my thoughts on “what’s next?” and “Am I feeling fulfilled?” It’s true that I’ve forgotten myself in the past.
What I want to do, for now, is ask: What now? What makes what I’m doing so little value to me when I know what I’m doing honors who I am?
It’s true—I want to move forward with my writing and come up with a routine and a game plan. But I’ve been given this precious time to breathe, and I need to enjoy it. I’ve been through a lot.
Returning to My Roots
I’m returning to my roots. I adore my freedom, my creativity, and the feeling that I am exactly the support the people around me need most.
And I have that right now.
I can do it all in whichever way I choose to do it.
Trusting the Pause
I know I’ve been in a rut. I know I’ve been resistant to moving forward in some aspects of life. And I think that’s okay.
I don’t want to distract myself from things that are important to honoring myself, and I don’t want to let fear lead me. Eventually, I trust that I will move forward when the time is right.
I’ve already had an amazing time at a job that allowed me to connect with others through my writing, even if it felt brief. Can’t I at least be proud of that?
This will not stop me from writing, but I want to take a moment to recognize that I am doing incredible, important work at home already.
Maybe there’s a hidden role you do every single day that you don’t realize is extremely important.
Letting Myself Be
It feels good to step back into that. I need to allow myself to enjoy it thoroughly, in the moment.
My life is so beautiful. It’s time that I let myself just be for a while.
I trust that I’m not the same person I was. And I also am.
I like all of that. The past and present me is pretty awesome. I know more now than I did before, and one of those things is this: I can be happy with who I am, and I can trust that deep down, I know what’s best for me in the moment.
As they say, we’ve all survived each day so far. So–the track record is pretty much in our favor.
Here’s to good days ahead! Give yourself some rest, some kudos–you’re doing so much more than you think!
SOme Other Info (A Quick Search With AI):
Remembering Your Innate Value (Even When You’re “Just Being”)
It can be hard to internalize this truth: your value is not created by productivity, output, or visibility. It already exists.
Psychological research consistently shows that self-worth rooted in being—rather than doing—leads to greater emotional resilience and long-term well-being. According to self-determination theory, humans have inherent worth and thrive when their basic psychological needs for autonomy, connection, and competence are honored—not when they are constantly proving themselves (Ryan & Deci, 2000).
Kristin Neff’s research on self-compassion emphasizes that treating ourselves with the same kindness we offer others—especially during periods of rest or uncertainty—reduces anxiety and increases motivation over time, not less (Neff, 2011).
Even neuroscience supports this pause. Chronic self-judgment activates stress responses in the brain, while self-acceptance and rest help regulate the nervous system and restore creativity and clarity (Rock, 2008; Porges, 2011).
You do not need to earn rest, or to justify joy. Being useful does not measure worthiness.
You already are.
By the way, some of my posts were written at earlier times, although I’m sure that doesn’t change a whole lot. Just wanted to be fully transparent. 🙂
Note: If you or someone you know is in immediate distress, please reach out for professional help. You can call or text 988 in the US and Canada to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time.
Sources
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions. American Psychologist.
- Neff, K. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. HarperCollins.
- Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Rock, D. (2008). SCARF: A Brain-Based Model for Collaborating with and Influencing Others. NeuroLeadership Journal.
Some Topics for Discussion
Do you connect worthiness to productivity? Do you allow rest in your life? Leave a comment below ⬇️
A Lil’ Disclaimer about comments:
This blog is meant to be a springboard for discussions on some tough topics. It’s so easy to feel alone, but you’re not!
That hurt you feel? Someone knows it, too.
It doesn’t mean your hurt is less important. It means that you’ve got someone out there that is bound to understand. At least a little.
Things can get tricky. Not all people are kind. But most are just trying to survive.
It’s important to honor the nuances in what someone else is going through, too. Your experience is your own.
It’s complicated, yes.
I’m happy to encourage others to share their stories. Like on any other platform, vulnerability comes with risks. Don’t share unless you feel comfortable. You can count on me in the meantime to put it all out there. 😅
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