Sprint, Rest, Sprint
My dog, Riley, loves chasing the ball. She's remarkably fast. When I take her to the park, there is often a line of kids ready and willing to throw the ball to her. Little kids throwing the ball is her absolute favorite.
Yet, she knows these kids won't stop.
She knows if someone throws the ball, she WILL chase it. So if she gets too tired or hot, she takes a break, usually in the shade, 50 feet away from the kids. She keeps the ball close (see above) and won't let anyone throw it until she's ready.
She protects her rest so she can continue to sprint.
This time of year is filled with everything I love to sprint after, and I know that life won't stop. More and more will be thrown my way, and I know I will want to do everything. Unlike my dog, I can't always trust myself to rest.
So I know I need to be deliberate about taking breaks.
We are told self-care is massages and pedicures. And sure, those are great. But those things take time, planning, and coordinating. The mental load of planning our own self-care gets added to the pile and often dropped to the bottom of the list.
This is why I love self-care in the micro-moments. There are lots of in-between moments throughout the day that can invite a pause and a rest.
Here are three of my favorite micro-moments to invite rest and restoration:
Morning Rituals: I used to wake up with the kids, but then I started the day stressed and grumpy. While waking up early is not my favorite, I now take a moment to savor the silence, enjoy my cup of tea, and luxuriate in a little bit of “me” time.
Work Meetings: It was a revelation when I learned that I could fill my energy reserves during work meetings. Try this: When you do not need to talk, take a moment to increase your presence. Listen to what is happening while noticing your feet on the floor and your body in the chair. Invite deep breathing. Notice your hands as you take notes. Presence restores.
Slow Roll: I love warmth. Getting into a warm car or passing by a heater is my favorite. If I find an opportunity for warmth, I relish it. My husband, on the other hand, loves the cold. He slow rolls his way past the dairy case, enjoying the cooler air of the grocery aisle. Slow roll, then speed up.
What are the micro-moments in your life, and how can you leverage them?