This summer, I have been noticing more blog posts on self care.
This might be something in the air, or possibly just something that I have been noticing more as I realize I needed to take care of myself after some very tiring months.
I’ve been working on resting up on the weekends, and trying to “fill my cup” during my time off. I have relearned some lessons, and had some insights on new ones. It was interesting to me, to consider how simple (and relatively inexpensive) the features are that lead to such a lovely time.
I thought it might be helpful to me (and maybe the reader) to reflect on the things that one can do to restore energy and good mood. Some are things that you decide to do in the short term, and some are the results of decisions you make in prior years.
Choices to make a weekend restorative
Supporting the body goes a long way. You don’t need to do anything fancy, just the basics (the same things I tell my patients). Get good night’s sleep, move your body with some exercise you enjoy, eat mostly healthy choices–with a few treats that make you happy.
Lower your expectations. Throw out or reduce your huge list of chores. If you can, clear some of the more nagging tasks during the week. For me, not scheduling social obligations means I can truly relax.
Turn off the TV. I love watching big tennis tournaments, with a plethora of great matches during the week, culminating with the championships on the weekend. For me, this is sort of like eating a bag of Doritos: it’s great, until it’s awful. Keeping the TV turned off until evening time is very good for my brain.
Enjoy some alone time. I love Mr. PiN, and we love spending time together. But having him out of the house to run errands or meet friends for tennis gives me some precious quiet time, especially with the TV off. I seriously enjoy listening to the house fan running; to me, this is so restful.
Do something that makes you feel accomplished. I still want to avoid “the list.” But doing something around the house that makes feel like I am more than my job–clearing clutter, writing a blog post, knitting–lets me feel like my efforts have some import.
Open up a new book. Filling my extra, quiet time with a real book is ever so much more satisfying than reading shorter pieces.
As you can see, I have been needing more quiet time. I understand that for others, jamming their weekend with social activities is exactly what they need. You do you. Know thyself is a classic admonition for a reason.
Luck vs. choices
When I wrote the first draft of this post, I listed a number of lucky happenstances that made it easier for me to use my weekends to take care of myself. However, on further reflection, some of my luck is really the result of decisions I made a few years ago.
Sometimes, luck is just on your side.
If you can enjoy a weekend without emergencies and surprises, it’s easier to focus on yourself. No family medical problems, no weather disasters, no mechanical failures–all make for a more relaxing time.
Sometimes you make your luck.
The biggest contributor to making my summer better is my lighter work load. It’s true that primary care tends to be lighter in the summer, as people go away on vacation, and don’t tend to get as many upper respiratory illnesses (swine flu of ’09 and COVID notwithstanding). But it’s also true that my decision years ago to cut back my schedule laid the foundation for my lighter work load this summer.
Choices going forward
Taking care of yourself requires you to make certain choices over and over again.
Will you stay up all night watching Netflix, or go to sleep at a decent hour? Eat healthy produce and whole grains, or chips and dip? Run yourself ragged driving all over town for errands, or manage your expectations?
These are the sorts of decisions I need to remember to make every weekend.
Then there are the big decisions, which maybe you only have to make once or twice a year: Spend more money on things, or buy back some time? Commit to multiple activities, or reserve time for yourself?
What do you do to rest and renew your energy? Do you struggle to make the right choice for you?
This is interesting as I contemplate going part-time. I have managed to reclaim my weekends mostly by deciding not to feel guilty not working if my husband is working and by deciding that other people’s emergencies weren’t actually necessarily mine. But I want more of my actual week back. In theory I’ve more than reached Coast FI but it’s scary to take the plunge. Especially if I have to actually do healthy stuff for myself during the gained time rather than Doritos.
Thank you for coming by and commenting, C.
In the end, if you are a little too worried to go full Coast FI, at least you might be able to save a little more money (it’s not all bad, right?).
I put my toes in the water by challenging myself to do the healthy stuff when I had cut back a just a touch. If your work allows, maybe you can free up just 1/2 a day per week, and see what you do with the time? And from there, you can cut back a bit more if you want?