Girl, Take That Nap!
If there was one thing for certain growing up it was that our family would ALWAYS have something to do. There was no such thing as “sleeping in.” School was all week, cleaning was on Saturday, church on Sunday. Somewhere in there were family functions and more church services to attend. It’s safe to say the foundation of my life was a whole lot of ripping and running as my father says, “We can’t let grass grow under our feet!” I carried out this way of living through much of my adulthood. It left me feeling very anxious, tired and completely drained coming face to face with burnout on several occasions.
Recently I took a step back to catch my breath and figure out how I could untangle myself from this rat race I have been in. In the past three months it has been nice to take the pressure off myself as I attempt to take my time, rest and just breath.
The undoing of a way of life is quite difficult as you realize it doesn’t serve you any longer. I was left trying to create a new way of normal for me in the midst of so much chaos. I once believed naps only showed how lazy and weak needing to take a nap. Instead I forced my mind and body power through moments of being tired, anxious and exhausted. I would show up to every function for family and friends. Saying yes to every opportunity for the fear of missing that ONE big opportunity. My mind racing through every single thought down to what time I should get ready to go out, what kind of shoes I would wear, what time I would make it to the event, how long I would stay to make sure I made the next event on my calendar. Superwoman activate! Slowly but surely my body begin to let me know, “Honey chile we are running low!”
A conversation with my cousin changed my perspective on naps. He always seems so well rested, show up when he could, if he couldn’t he says so, responding only when he was ready in the group text. I admired his commitment to himself. I wanted to know how he did it. I thought he would tell me this long complicated process of what he did. He said, “I take naps when my body says it needs it.” Whoa what a revelation. I never thought that naps could change your life that much.
I went for a three mile walk after my Apple watch told me in the nicest way possible I needed to close my rings. Once back at the house knowing I was so tired I sat at my desk trying to work on some projects. My eyes couldn’t even focus, my body was aching. I knew I needed to go and lay down but I was pushing myself. Until I finally gave in and said, “Girl, take that nap!” When I tell you I embraced the nap, let my body rest, gave in to the not doing anything, I did it with great joy.
I must admit I am guilty of working to the point of exhaustion, willing myself to points of being drained, believing the mantra, Hustling over RESTING! We live in a society that rushes us, makes us feel small, makes us believe we are late to the expected end we desire for ourselves. We work so hard to “make it” all the while our bodies are not healthy, our minds are not fresh or rested. It is so necessary for our bodies to have what we need that includes taking a NAP! Even our phones teach of the lesson of rest. Sometimes when you believe your phone is broken, not working properly its a simple fix, power the phone off then turn it back on. Our bodies need the time to power down, rest, so that we might reach our full potential. Take it from me don’t get to the point of a near break down before you start listening to your body. Every dream you have, the visions you write out for yourself is possible. On the road to your dream, Girl, Take That Nap! Your body needs it. You deserve to enjoy a life full of beauty. Beauty is embracing each moment with love, attention and care. Please the world needs a healthy you. Don’t run yourself in the ground chasing something you won’t be able to enjoy because you are too tired to see it.
Girl, Take That Nap!