where wildly different is perfectly normal
Respect the energy
Respect the energy

Respect the energy

It’s been almost four years since I essentially collapsed from exhaustion. Unrelenting stress will do that to a person. Ironically, last year’s stress was considerably worse, but I had coping strategies learned from that collapse. Going gluten free, for one. Getting enough sleep for another. And respecting the day’s energy.

Wait. No, I’m still trying to learn that one. I’m good with the gluten free, I really try to get enough sleep (kiss my rosy red <ahem>, insomnia), but respecting the amount and kind of energy I have and working with that is still a struggle. Most days I feel pretty good and can get a lot accomplished. It may not look like a lot got accomplished, but it did. Then there are days like today, when I feel like I’m walking through Jello and concentrating on making lunch is a struggle. I know I haven’t been glutened, but I have a wicked headache that no amount of ibuprofen and caffeine is touching. I’m not the only one struggling today; A slept until 9:30 this morning and doesn’t feel well. School this lovely Friday has consisted of him reading several chapters of history; the rest of the day will be spent on the couch watching documentaries (right now it’s Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking).

So as he and I muddle through the day, I try to work on things and feel guilty that I’m not doing anything of great importance. Emails stare at me while my headache stares back. I’m trying to work with the energy I have, so that I can rest enough to recover from whatever the hell is giving me this headache and bounce back tomorrow. I’ve learned that if I don’t respect the energy I’m a lot worse off in the long run. I’m grateful that he and I can be at home to rest and still learn and work.

All that said, this post sucked my thinking energy dry. Back to the couch and documentaryapalooza.

8 Comments

  1. cocobean

    Even in brick & mortar school, there are days to catch up on work, free days, and “light” load days… Sometimes it’s good to give your brain a change.

    That works for the learning – as for the energy to do anything? um, yeah – that’s not so easy!

  2. I know this feeling too well and I still haven’t learned to slow down. I drive myself to exhaustion and eventually sickness because I don’t listen to my body and as a chronically ill person, this is one lesson that really is too important to continue to ignore. Hugs. I hope you feel better.

    1. Jen

      That’s just it. I don’t want to drive myself to that level of exhaustion again. The mere thought terrifies me. I can’t begin to imagine trying to climb back out of that again.

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