Taking a Break
Peterson 
There is a Season for Everything... including Rest
Taking a break is something I’m not great at doing. I know I need it, but in reality I often hate it. I avoid it. I never do it. Often, I only take it when my body forces me to.
This is a pattern in me. Yes it’s familiar and easy, that’s why I do it over and over again.
But does it truly serve me? Bring out the best in me? Help me stay grounded, clear headed and at ease?
No it doesn’t. It causes me to cling tightly to any resemblance of results. But my brain is so fogged over that I can’t even discern if these are the results I want.
How often do I continue in patterns that don’t serve me?
I hate to say it, but so often!
However, does this have to continue?
The answer is simple- No
The steps to change this pattern are actually simple too, but it’s my own resistance and fear of not having control of the next step that makes it most difficult.
So what are the steps I'm going to take:
1: take time to rest
I recognize when I feel tired and respond to that. Take a bath, read a book, take a nap, go for a walk, snuggle with my kids, just sit, etc.
2: become friends with my feelings since anxiety is not the enemy.
I allow the feelings to give me insight into what my body knows that my mind has no clue of yet. When I sit with my feelings, I start to learn what they are trying to tell me. And the more time I practice, the better I’ll get at it.
3: overcome my fears
I think about times in my past I struggled with trusting myself. Fearful of letting go of control. But also being reminded that time and time again blessings have come by taking steps away. So I feel strength to let go and hope for what comes next
4: make a powerful choice
I need to give myself permission to take a step away. As I do, allow myself to take a deep breath in and out to release any tension, responsibility and fear. I say to myself as well “Lindsey you are worthy of taking time for you. Your health and well being are important. Because you are important!”
5: notice what is around
There is a lot I can do right now, but the season I am in right now is rest. My body is prone to act, almost like a machine. But that’s the pattern I’m working on slowing down. Working on creating a new pattern. One towards rest and allowing time and space to have its place. So I’m allowing my mind to be curious at this point. Simply taking note of what is around.
The one other thought I wrestle with at times is this “will this season of rest be forever?”
I laugh at the childlike question, but also give myself grace because it is a very valid fear.
Here is the truth I’m reminded of:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
As I look outside, I’m also reminded that the snow I see on the ground right now will soon be green grass. The seasons change, they always do. So, I will not be in this season of rest forever.
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.
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The break I am taking right now is a month away from social media. I will not be on Facebook or Instagram for the month of February. I am also pausing my podcast for a month too.
After a month, I’ll assess what comes next. No decisions till then.
I will still be working 1 on 1 with clients. If you are interested in getting started with me, simply set up a FREE 30 minute session here. https://theresponsivewoman.com/.../hea.../bookconnectioncall
Also, during this time I can be reached via email as well [email protected]