Dear Reader,

That moment when you look around your house and think, “It’s such a mess. And I’m too tired to care.”

That moment when someone asks you to help with something – moving, a project, an event – and you say no because you’re tired.

That one time when you debate with yourself about seeing a friend because it’s been a long week and you’re tired and just want one day to stay home. (But you go anyway because you love them.)

We all have these moments. I’ve been having these moments all week. And last week. I’m tired. It’s my own fault, really. I have children in sports activities, I have a part-time job, I have my business, my writing career, and my college courses. Oh, and my husband wants some of my time too. Then there’s my friends and my parents and family visiting from out of town…and the next thing I know it’s been a week since I’ve stayed home longer than it takes to sleep and eat and go again.

When this happens, I get run down. Chronic illnesses will do that to a person. My whole body hurts, I have IBS, and my brain doesn’t work right. On the way home today I ran a stop sign and didn’t even notice until I was across the road! It’s not pretty. Or safe.

What do you do when you’re too tired? Do you take a break from it all? Push through? I find I do a little of both. I try to get up earlier or stay up later and work when everyone else is sleeping. I sneak a 10-minute break in and just read or take a walk. And then there are days like today. We had a family outing at a ski resort where we participated in a color run. So much fun! But exhausting after a long week of events. I came home and read for a little bit, then decided it was a good day for a nap. I didn’t clean my house even though it desperately needs it. I didn’t worry about the flower beds which are more aptly named weed beds right now. I relaxed.

Tomorrow I start it all over again. With a fresh perspective on my time, I hope to have a better week. How I use my time and how I allow others to use it is getting a closer look. I have lots of things I want to do, and I need time and energy for them. Which means saying no and not feeling guilty.

So say no if you’re tired. Put your time where it gives you joy. Give yourself permission to take a nap. It’s ok.

Loving hugs,

Alena