Some days you work hard and go to bed at the end of the day good and tired.
And some days you’re worked over and go to bed at the end of the day more than tired.
You know the difference, right?
The days when you put in the work, hit the mark you were aiming for — or maybe you don’t — but you’ve given it your best effort. You can look back over your shoulder and you don’t see anything chasing you down. You look forward to getting back at it tomorrow.
And then there are the days you drag yourself to bed and lay awake, counting your efforts, and find them not enough. Not enough done and too much to do tomorrow.
You’re soul weary, your emotions flogged by worry, frustration, and yes, resentment that you tried so hard and it wasn’t enough.
What’s a person to do?
Get up and try again tomorrow. Try harder, right?
No.
When you’re tired, you need to rest.
- If you’re being worn out by worry, then you need to stop the “what ifs.” Asking “what if” at the end of the day is a waste of time and emotion.
- If you’re being worn out by frustration, then focus on what you can do and let go of what you can’t. Maybe ask someone for help. Now there’s a novel idea: You don’t have to go all Lone Ranger and do it yourself.
- If you’re being worn out by resentment, ask yourself where the overload of expectations is coming from: you or someone else. Are they realistic expectations or the unspoken ones that often demand too much of us for nothing in return?
In Your Words: How do you find rest when you’re overwhelmed by worry, frustration, or resentment?
In Others' Words: Finding Rest When You're More Than Tired http://bit.ly/2LqlWRk #quotes #perspective Click To Tweet 'Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment.' Quote by Dale Carnegie http://bit.ly/2LqlWRk #fatigue #rest Click To Tweet
Comments 9
I’ll rest when I’m dead.
Author
Andrew:
I kinda knew you’d say something like that, my friend. 😉
Sometimes I just have to have an ugly cry praying session with my Lord!
Author
Hi, Robin:
Crying and praying can put it all in perspective at times, can’t it?
Wonderful thoughts, Beth. I am currently in one of those “I’m happy with my progress and looking forward to tomorrow’s work” sort of moments. I think one thing that’s helping is taking Sundays off from writing and editing. It’s a bit trickier to manage my pace without those back-up days, but my body is thanking me for the extra rest, so I am grateful.
By the way, that news I mentioned a while back has been shared on my blog this week.
Hugs,
Andrea
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com
Author
Hi, Andrea:
You make a good point: actual rest makes a huge difference in our lives. I’m enjoying some quiet days right now, and am experiencing the emotional, spiritual, and physical benefits.
Going to check out your blog! 🙂
Beth, I’m so glad you’re experiencing some great rest right now. Thanks for checking out my news. I’m so excited that I’ve got writer friends to get excited with me!
Sometimes one just needs the big cry to get it all out. Women, especially, take on the role of keeping it together for everyone else, even in the worst of times, and we need to take a few minutes and let go.
Author
Denise: I agree with you that woman often take on the caretaker role, whether as a mother, sister or daughter. We’re the ones who are there for others. And we do need to learn to take time for ourselves — to rest, refresh, restore.