Chronically Joyful

I often catch myself saying the phrase “I am a human being, not a human doing.” I know it is tremendously cliche, but it really does hold a ton of weight when you really think about it; the purpose of this post is literally just to outline the simple fact that:

It is absolutely okay to take time to rest.

As someone who feels I can “beat my odds” by maintaining some level of physical activity and creating healthy habits, I tend to really internalize the days/weeks/months where I fall short of my own expectations. It’s strange that I have low expectations for the rest of the world and am constantly surprised and delighted by what others do, but am convinced that I am always falling short.

I felt compelled to share about this because I feel very strongly that others (chronic illness or not) are caught in the same over-compensating spiral. With every moment of my time that is not dedicated to my high stress job, I feel the need to be doing something “productive.”

Whether it be cleaning my home, trying to ideate the next breakthrough small-business venture, or exercising to the point of exhaustion, I need to feel that I’m taking action to better myself and be a productive member of society. 

But why?

When did it become a requirement to give it our all, every moment of every day? When did we stop taking the time just to be outside, reveling in the fresh air? Enjoying a moment with our loved ones? Taking a slow sip of our favorite coffee first thing in the morning and really enjoying it? 

I understand that the world ebbs and flows and that change is constant — I’m a big fan of change as this is where growth blossoms; but the current position of the life wheel is focused on the “daily grind.” If you aren’t “grinding” at your absolute highest level of effort, society doesn’t have the time for you. 

I’ve always said that I’m a “jack of all trades, master of none” kind of person and this wasn’t highlighted as a problem until the world started to require I become an expert in at least everything I do. I am okay at a lot of different things, but I wouldn’t call myself an expert in a single arena. I love to paint, sing, and write, but I’m not screaming from rooftops that I’m qualified to be teaching others in these particular subjects. Sometimes, I just like to do these things because they bring me joy, and if I’m proud of how it turns out, I like to share the joy! 

So, this is just a PSA to let you know that whatever it is you’re doing, it is enough. If you’re reading more books, or playing Play Station every night in your free time, it is enough. Taking the time to decompress is essential in filling our energy stores enough to put toward bigger things. We won’t always know what those “bigger things” are in the moment, but through remaining mindful, it’ll start to make sense.

So, lovely readers, go do your thing and continue to be human beings. Because just being, is better than depleting your battery by constantly doing.