1 Secret that will lead to more productivity
Full moon 20. August 2024
Do you believe in signs from the universe?
I do!
I pulled out my laptop earlier today to write this month's blog post and I was feeling really tired but just wanted to push through to get my to-do list ticked off.
But the universe had other plans for me…. my laptop went into full on strike mode and would not start for a solid 1.5 hours. No this is no joke and no, I didn't give up waiting and trying and working alongside from my phone until I really had no other choice but to leave it for a later time.
So instead of writing a different post I already had in mind, I started to reflect on the message in the moment, as well as on the past month and the topic just became clear as day = REST.
After a lovely 20 minute nap in the sun (thanks universe) my laptop is now cooperating, so here we go:
I spent the last month in recovery still from big ish surgery and was seriously confronted with my resistance to rest. I didn't take the doctors instructions seriously enough and ended up with an infection in the wound which was everything but ideal.
I know for a fact I am not the only one struggling with this very important piece of self care practice, which had me wondering: why is it so hard for so many of us to rest?
It is a very complex matter, but from a social point of view we can say that as a society we are quick to praise those that work themselves into the ground and are getting stuff done.
We believe that we have to do, do, do to achieve anything and we also tend to pride ourselves in our busyness. Oftentimes a full calendar represents success, popularity and a fulfilled life.
This is some tough conditioning and no wonder we all struggle to rest more, even though there is plenty of research out to show that we are actually more productive if we rest more.
My inspiration for you today is to explore your relationship with rest; here are some prompts for exploration:
Do you pay attention if you feel tired or rested?
Do you identify your worth by how busy you are?
Where can you implement pockets of rest in your life?
Identify your different needs for rest correctly - see below
There are 7 types of rest:
Physical - sleep, nap, massages, facials, Yoga nidra
2. Mental - stop using your brain for a bit i.e. going for a walk
2. Emotional - honoring your boundaries
4. Creative - being artsy crafty or making music, gardening
5. Social - alone time, saying NO to events and catch ups
6. Sensory - candlelight, quiet, no screen time
7. Spiritual - meditation, praying, journaling and self reflection
Another good one I have learned from the lovely Liz at Nature’s effusion is:
When your body is tired move your brain; and when your brain is tired move your body.
I am smiling as I finish this post - why did I wait for an hour and a half determined to get it done, when after a rest the post just flowed and I feel so much more accomplished than if I had pushed through my tiredness.
Much love and a restful full moon sleep to you all
Marisa
P.S. this blog here on the Art of Slowing Down might be interesting if you want to immerse yourself more into the topic
