After my success (I did it, people! I walked 14km with my mum and dad and sisters! We took 3 hours because we were going at Mum’s pace and it was great! Ow!) I’m looking after myself. I’m stretching and rubbing my sore feet and taking it as easy as I can.
It’s easy when it’s physical work. Our muscles and joints remind us, loudly, that we need to rest for a bit and recover.
But when we’ve run emotional and physical marathons, we’re less smart. We don’t take the day off after a big interview, or an important post, or a powerful and emotional consulting session. We forget that the heart is a muscle. We forget that the brain is a muscle. And we ignore their aches and pains far too often and power through.
Today, as I gingerly hobble around the airport to get home, I want you to remember that self-care is not selfishness. My tendons can’t run right now. My muscles need to repair after Heartbreak Hill (which was not that bad, all DOOM reports aside). This is not weakness, madness or Sparta.
When your mind is sore and strained after Big Work, give it the recuperation it needs. Don’t keep giving from an empty cup.
Don’t sprint until you collapse, dearest. I want to see you cross the line with your fists in the air, like I did.
Do you rest your mental and emotional muscles? Tell me in the comments!