I’ve never been one for taking breaks, it’s the Enneagram Type 2 in me. If I’m not doing things then it’s easy for me to fall into a slump of feeling useless and alone. I definitely have guilt when it comes to doing nothing or taking time for myself to rest. At times, I recognize this isn’t the healthiest of mindsets. I’ve actually gotten to the point where it’s really hard for me to fall asleep. I’m either thinking about all the things I could/should be doing or my mind is running with random thoughts from the day. However, we all deserve a good break every now and then, and if we don’t take it, we’ll likely smack into a wall and be forced into it.
I don’t know about you, but this has felt like an exhausting year! It’s just been mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. In whatever ways a person can feel exhausted, I’m feeling it. Which is weird to think about in a season where a lot of us have been trapped at home. Just because we’ve been at home though, doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy. Since we’re all working and living mostly out of our homes, it’s also increasingly harder to find spaces for good rest. I don’t know about you, but my room doesn’t feel as restful when I spend all day in there working, doing Zoom meetings, writing scripts, and all the other things that come with my job and school.
Plus, it feels like my mind is trying to comprehend something new every day. With things constantly changing and a new crisis seemingly popping up, it’s been a lot for my brain to process. Not to mention adjusting to a whole new way of life. We have to wear masks, can’t touch each other, have to stay socially distant with those we normally have no problem hugging, and are figuring out new work/school patterns. It’s a lot to figure out and we all had to do it with a quick turnaround in order to stay afloat. It’s been a lot to handle, and the need for a good break is real.
For the first time in a while, I’m allowing myself to take a good break (hopefully). I left my current main job on August 7th and will have a one-to-two week period before my next gig as a GA and grad school begins. For the last four years, I’ve consistently had two or more jobs at a time (most of that was also always on top of being a full-time college student). I felt happiest being a busy-bee chasing away at my career goals. I think after this season we’ve all been in though, I’m realizing it’s good to give myself a true break. No worrying about what I should/could be doing like I normally would if I were on vacation. I’ll just have my one job doing social media for Trinity Arts Center, and I’m really excited about after five months of the center being closed and is a job that never feels stressful to do. I’m actually really excited to have more time to come up with some killer ideas for their social media this year!
Of course, I won’t just be doing nothing during this time off. Like I said, if I do nothing at all, then I’ll start getting into a poor state of mental health. I want to be intentional about doing things that truly bring me rest and hopefully refresh me as I get ready to start graduate school and my graduate assistantship. I want to take some time to be still and sit in God’s presence. Enjoy some time being intentional with friends that fuel me. Pick up some hobbies so when someone says “what do you like to do?” I can answer with something other than “I work, I don’t have hobbies.” Hopefully, I’ll even be inspired with some new content to write. With all that change that’s happened in the world this year and all that’s about to change in my life personally, I’m ready to just be truly restful.
I hope this serves as a good reminder for you to rest too. I know in this season of everything changing daily, it can be hard to find time to relax. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, set aside some time in your day to find rest. Take some deep breaths, read a few pages of a book, or call that old friend that you haven’t seen in ages. Whatever it is that truly re-fills you, find that and take some intentional time to do it. I know we’re all going to come out of this season extremely strong, but if we don’t rest then we’ll also come out of it extremely deprived.
Stay safe and remember to rest!
❤ / Bailey
BAILEY DEVORE 