Just Words – Sort of About Stress & Self Worth
14 Thu, 2011 § 6 Comments
Yesterday, I needed a lot of “me” breaks.
I stayed productive filling out forms for school, researching whether it might be in our favor to move to another apartment later this year, baked yogurt biscuits (from scratch by hand) & even debated over a few job applications; but I also spent the day on the verge of losing it. Like total meltdown. I don’t even know how to put into words what I’ve been feeling or maybe I just don’t want to put a voice to it yet.
I could throw myself a pity party, but that isn’t really what I need. Instead I took some me time throughout the day. Some of it quiet; some of it intense — not necessarily distractions but specific ways I could focus my energy while clearing my head. I usually come back with a refreshed perspective in place of the former doom.
So early in the morning, I went for a slow walk with Eisley & my camera. Walking still means I’m in my head a lot; but once I start playing with the camera, my attention shifts to what I’m seeing & trying to capture rather than the stress in my head. I really only came back with one image I like. I might share it tomorrow.
Mid-day, I decided to drop in on a yoga class. Especially tight muscles meant all of my energy went into breathing & trying to relax into even basic poses.
I was feeling better. I was coping. Still, “it” lingered.
Finally, Wednesday evenings mean spinning, which is usually a torturous treat I only look forward to. Fifteen minutes before class, I was barely coaxing myself out the door, knowing it would only do good even if I didn’t feel up to it.
The substituting instructor destroyed us. I have never sprinted that many intervals, ever.
In the midst of a truly brutal workout, there is no room to feel sorry for yourself or to call yourself weak or think your are worthless. You dig, you push & you don’t give up. You tell yourself you can do anything for 30 seconds, because you are so much stronger than you think you are; & you even have a little more to give & suddenly, you are pedaling even harder. You feel like vomiting, but instead, you grin, grunt & push. Drenched & fatigued, you can’t stop smiling all the way home.
Maybe I’m just riding the endorphin high. The issues are still there, but suddenly I’m that strong, capable person again. I can take this on, breathe, sort through it, push myself, smile & live each moment.
That’s all we can do anyway, right?
a tough workout ALWAYS makes me feel better (even if just a little). whatever you are going through, you will work it out in time! this too shall pass. hug!
ps i like your new blog format!!
Thanks! I like the cleaner format, though I might be making some bigger changes soon & moving to a new domain.
& thanks for the hug! 😉
sorry you seem to be going through a bit of an anxiety spell….hang in there….you can pedal through it! 🙂 XOXO
Life is not really easy. I have definitely been there where I don’t feel like doing anything and have very little motivation. But I have found that as I try to stay true to who I am, I have been able to cope. Life does go on and life can be filled with happiness.
Life is filled with happiness — being true to myself is exactly what this is about, so thank you very much for the thoughtful comment. 🙂