Unplug to Recharge
For two days last week, I had an opportunity to do something that sounds simple but can sometimes be incredibly difficult: unplug.
Our team at my job stepped away from the normal rhythm of emails, meetings, deadlines, responsibilities, and the never-ending list of things that need our attention for our annual staff retreat at Wesley Gardens Retreat, and I needed it more than I realized. There is something about physically removing yourself from your normal environment that gives your mind permission to slow down. The work is still there, the responsibilities haven’t disappeared, life hasn’t suddenly stopped moving, but for a moment, you allow yourself to stop moving with it.
Main living room of the main house.
Instead of constantly thinking about what needed to happen next, I could simply be present. Present in the conversations, activities, people around me and perhaps most importantly, present with myself. We often think about wellness in terms of what we need to add to our lives, drink more water, exercise more, get more sleep, eat healthier, more mindfulness, pray, set boundaries, don’t forget to take care of YOU.
Sometimes wellness is also about what we are willing to temporarily put down. The phone, the laptop, the notifications, the emails, the mental checklist and the constant pressure to constantly be available, productive, responsive, and accomplishing something. For mothers, it can be especially difficult for us to slow down, take a break or even think about ourselves more than others. We become accustomed to carrying so much it begins to feel normal as there is always someone or something who or that needs our attention. Being constantly connected does not necessarily mean we are fully present.
One thing our retreat reminded me is that stepping away doesn't mean the work isn't important. Sometimes we step away because it is. We give so much of ourselves to our families, our careers, our businesses, our communities, that eventually, we have to replenish what we've been pouring out. Doing that is not selfish, it is self stewardship.
When I returned from those couple of days away, the responsibilities were still waiting for me, but I came back different.
Looking at the water from the dock during one of our breaks.
Warm, beautiful weather and all of God’s blessings surrounding me.
My lamb and beef plate from Ariana Halal Gyro in Savannah was delicious!
