Each week we change the words/quote/saying that we are displaying on the noticeboard in our kitchen; these are the words we try to live by individually and as a family that week. Some weeks may focus on lifting our mood, others may be about motivation or attitude to life; something that speaks to us on some level and that we can directly apply to our lives. Changing the words each week stops them from becoming just another thing you walk past without really seeing, it keeps things fresh and stops them losing their power. This series is where I share those words with you in the hope they may help you and your family too. If you a new to the series and want to learn more, you can read the first post here, or check out the Words To Live By tab in the top menu.
The tail end of last week was a difficult one. I was feeling run down, L’s cough and cold came back yet again, and it felt like there just weren’t enough hours in the day. The more I rushed around trying to work through the exhaustion, the less I seemed to achieve. Tasks that would normally take 20 minutes were taking closer to 2 hours. Getting behind on everything I wanted to do led to more stress and even more exhaustion. Something had to give.
My body was telling me to rest, to take things easy, to get more sleep. My mind was telling me I had too much to do.
I decided to listen to my body. I took a look at my ever expanding to do list, circled those things that were essential and had deadlines, put a mark next to the things that had to be done within the week but weren’t time sensitive and crossed off the rest (moving it to a master list if neccessary).
As luck would have it, there was nothing on there that had to be done that night so I switched off the electronics and gave myself a night off. I even had an early night! I then arranged the rest of the week around when I knew I was at my best mentally and factored in time to rest.
Now, I’m not going to lie and say that after a few days I was miraculously back to full health. I wasn’t, and I’m still not. But, by taking the downtime I needed I actually somehow managed to get my whole to do list done anyway. By only working when I was at my best I accomplished so much more.
We are all limited on time and we all have tasks that simply have to be done (like feeding the children), but for anything else, only work on it when you are at your best. Give your body and your mind the rest they need.
Do you listen to your body? Need a little more inspiration? Check out his week’s workbook:
Have a great week x
I know how important this is – having had anaemia before your body tells you when you are run down #marvmondays
Thank you, that’s so true x
This is such a good post and so true. I tend to run round at a million miles per hour and some times do just need to slow the hell down. Its easy to get tired and run down too and you’re so right, sometimes we need to listen to our bodies and take a rest. thanks for joining #marvmondays x
Fran Back With A Bump recently posted…Marvellous Mondays
Thank you, I think we’re all guilty of that x
I love this. This is so true. There is such a link between our mental and physical wellbeing and signs when we need to rest. Last week, for example, I had a terrible week – including two bumps in the car. I decided that this weekend I had to rest and not write or do anything. I feel better for it x #bigpinklink
Oh no, hope you’re ok. Good on you for taking the weekend off, it can be hard to switch off but just what we need sometimes. Hope you have a better week ahead of you x
Great words, oh wise one! This is possibly the best advice I’ve ever seen x
Ha ha, I may have to show this to the family and inform them that from now on they must call me ‘wise one’. Pretty sure they’ll just laugh in my face but worth a shot x
This is so true and very reminiscent of a teachers wellbeing campaign I’m involved with over on twitter. Check it out #teacher5aday. #notice is one of the themes.
Hoping to save myself from another burnout by listening to my body. Scary enough it’s only by listening that I actually recognised that I do want to be a mummy (still trying at the mo)
Thanks
Thank you. I bodies have a lot to tell us if we quieten the noise of every day life and just listen. Good luck on your journey to motherhood x
This really resonates with me as I am learning to live with a chronic illness. Some days I really just need to listen! #CandidCuddles
Sorry to hear that. In your case listening to your body is even more important to help you keep on top of things. It can be so easy to push ourselves too far then pay the price. Best of luck tuning in x
I often don’t listen to my body and end up getting ill, but after 2 flights yesterday, I’m listening now and once i finish this coffee and food shop, i’m off home to lie down, later i’ll go for a long walk to limber up a little
Good idea. Hope you feel nice and rested now x
Definitely great words to live by! I listened to my body until the doctors finally listened and by the time they did, I lost two organs. #DreamTeam
Heather Keet recently posted…Coping when Utopia disappears…
Oh god, good on you for persevering, sounds like you saved your own life! Stories like this make you wonder how some doctors ever got into the profession in the first place
such a true post for me at the moment. Struggling with poorly children over here for the last month so feeling physically and mentally drained with a to do list that won’t complete itself but no mental capacity to handle it. I need to take some time out to focus so that i can actually achieve – a little muddled over here at the moment so was lovely to read this post – yet again wise, wise words! #DreamTeam
justsayingmum recently posted…How Well Do Your Children Know You?
I know that muddled feeling all too well, definitely time for some time out. Hope everyone gets better soon x
This is so true. I do try to listen to my body as much as possible – I’ve been very run down recently and am making sure I’m taking the time to look after myself x #candidcuddles
Good for you, hope you feel better soon x
Great reminder of how important it is to slow down and listen to what our body is telling us. I need to learn this lesson over and over it seems!
#dreamteam
Ha ha, I assure you you’re not alone in that!
I definitely need to do this! But at 39 weeks pregnant and with 2 kids to look after it’s easier said than done! #marvmondays
Crummy Mummy recently posted…The only 10 things you need in your hospital bag
Oh Gosh, you really do! You’re right though, it is easier said than done. But even just setting aside 10 minutes a few times a day can make a big difference x
I love the quote about taking care of your body because its the only place you have to live! Great. I hope you get back to full strength soon.,,,Glad you did listen to your body!! #MarvMondays
Thank you, I’m getting there x
I find that if I’m not in the right fran of mind to get things done then they become almost impossible. Usually giving them a break and returning a little while later does the trick #marvmondays
Becky Clark recently posted…In January I read…Billy & Me By Giovanna Fletcher
This is just brilliant advice. I am very guilty of just ploughing on and then crashing out! I must learn to stop and listen to my body… #DreamTeam
Catie: An Imperfect Mum recently posted…January Roundup
Popping back from #FamilyFun too.
This is so true. I never used to listen to my body, would exercise through injury and ilness burn the candle st both ends etc. If age has taught me one thing it is to start listening to your body. It is so important. Good on you for doing it l. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun xx
Tammymum recently posted…#Familyfun…Week 20
Wise words to live by.#MarvMondays
It’s so easy to burn out when there is an ever expanding to do list! You absolutely did the right thing! Well done for getting everything done in the end!! Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Exploring Creativity #FamilyFunLinky
My body is screaming at me to feed it properly, give it some exercise, rest. My mind is telling me to keep going, finish those tasks…. but you’re soooo right. I’m putting my phone down right now and going to bed. Because while I think reading a few fab blog posts is relaxing, it’s still screen time. Thanks for the advice. Night night. #MarvMondays
Such good advice! I don’t listen to mine enough and sometimes push myself to exhaustion, but I’m trying to get better about resting when I need it. #ablogginggoodtime
The Squirmy Popple recently posted…How to carry a large, clingy toddler
Such good advice. Glad you managed to take the time you needed to rest. I always find that if I’m feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by the to-do list that dividing it into “essential”, “desirable” and “if time allows” makes a big difference. I like your idea of focusing on what has to be done that day, within the week and then moving anything else to a master list. Hope you are feeling better now. #ablogginggoodtime
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…Heart Month 2017: Jessica’s Journey – our CHD story
Love this one as well! So true. When I cried last night because the husband said he was going to add something to our to do list for the weekend, I decided we probably needed a weekend off from doing things around the house! x #SharingtheBlogLove
Kimberley | Oh Just My Little Blog recently posted…Things I Was Grateful For in January
This is so true, you really do need to listen to your body and when your run down, give it a chance to recover. You will get better quicker. So much easier said than done when you have children. I hope you all feel better soon. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove x
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Oh Alana, your post came to me today like a calling. I needed to read this! Thank you so much for your wisdom. Now, I will tell myself how I must listen to Alana… she knows! Mwah!
I try my best to listen to it, but then I find myself prioritizing who comes first in care in the household. Which, I’m sure is what most moms end up doing.
Great Words To Live By again =)
Love this! I’m guilty of never listening to my body and just ploughing on through the never ending tasks and jobs to do. The only time I listen to my body is when it finally cracks and I end up with a migraine but this is largely because I then have no option other than to rest! It’s actually one of my new years resolutions to look after myself more so this post is very poignant to me. #familyfun
Alice Soule recently posted…Update on Jude’s social care situation
I love that one quote because I am definitely guilty of it: I always feel like I should be doing more! But, you are absolutely right. Rest is essential whether we like it or not. I know I always get sick when I’ve been stressing out more than normal. #fabfridaypost
Alicia Owen recently posted…Learning Fun with the Alphabet Hop Game!
I’m terrible for this! I always try and push on through and it ends up taking so much longer to shift these things. Part of me thinks that’s the reality of being a mum, but if you can carve out time to rest it pays dividends in the long run. I hope you’re back to feeling 100% soon. Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Katy – Hot Pink Wellingtons recently posted…The Pregnancy Diaries: Week 21
Oh I could hug you for writing this and at the same time cry! I’m exhausted. So many work projects at the moment all of which I’m grateful for but my God am I suffering physically or what?! As usual very wise words from you on #candidcuddles my dear
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I am so glad you did listen to your body and gave yourself the chance to recuperate. The temptation is always there to keep pushing ourselves even when we are ill and that can only do more harm than good. Hope you are on the mend. #PoCoLo
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I definitely need to remind myself to slow down every now and then! Great post! #globalblogging
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