Hi friends,
I knew I needed a break in August since back in July when everything was making me miserable. With the rise of the Delta variant, everyday errands were once again nerve-racking. Dating and socializing felt more stressful than enjoyable. Work was more time-consuming than manageable. And my mental health and writing suffered because of it. There was too much noise in my life to think or see clearly anymore. I stared at an empty text document, at an empty journal page, and the only thing I could think to write was the words that played on loop in my head: I need a break.
When your body tells you it needs a break, you should listen to it. Don’t fight back with coffee—get more rest. Don’t drown out your feelings with hours of TV or work—acknowledge them. Observe them. Being in therapy has helped me a lot with this “observing” part lately. After swimming in my feelings the entirety of August (and reporting them to my therapist on a regular basis), I realized things. One, I was putting my value in the hands of others. Two, I needed to stop going against my own nature because of societal standards. And three, what I needed the most of was just…time.
Time. That’s something we all need. Just more time. Time to think, time to process, time to grow. Time to be ourselves. And I know this month, I’m still going to need time. And that’s ok! Rest and breaks and therapy are great, but they aren’t enough. If you're feeling overwhelmed, it usually means you aren’t giving yourself enough time. This month, I'm challenging you to extend your imaginary deadlines. Telling yourself there are only 24 hours in a day is a constraint. Maybe it's time to think of it as 168 hours in a week. Or roughly 720 hours in a month. Or 8,760 hours in a year.
There are ways of giving yourself more time, and it usually requires a lifestyle shift. Maybe there’s something you need to drop or adjust—be it projects, work, people, habits, etc. Something is no longer serving you. You can take all the breaks you want, but if you just go back to living the same way you were, you’ll soon be burnt out again and need another break. However, if you simply can't drop anything, if you're doing everything in your power to just get up each morning and survive, then maybe what you need and deserve the most is a little help.
A day off here and a nice vacation there is lovely and deserved—but you know what’s even better for your day-to-day? Pacing yourself. Take care of yourself and your needs first. You will be happier, you will create better work, you will be in a better place to connect with loved ones after you meet your needs first. So, this month, try giving yourself more time, by either adjusting something or reframing how you think about time. That way, it isn’t wasted or rushed—it’s well-spent.
Now that I’ve treated myself to both therapy and time, new posts will be back every Thursday. See you then!
Megan
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this week I loved...
1. My horoscope from The Cut. After the emotional rollercoaster that was August, it felt like a hug I desperately needed.
2. This week’s Ask Polly column, 'I Can't Stop Thinking About Him!' Because no matter the subject, it always feels like Heather is talking directly to me.
3. Ted Lasso. I really didn’t think I’d enjoy this show as much as I am, but I can’t recommend it enough.
4. Finding this note about me from my grandmother’s “memories jar.” I can thank her for my obsession with self-preservation. |
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How I Create My Monthly Content Calendar
Whether you write blog posts or create videos, now’s a great time to start planning content for next month. Continue reading →
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How I Cater to My Mental Health on Social Media
From muting users on Instagram to creating Lists on Twitter, here’s how I protect my mental health on social media. Continue reading →
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