For the next few weeks, I am re-sharing a few stories from trips we’ve taken, for all those of us who are missing travel terribly.
It was a Tuesday, and we were in Tuscany.* We had driven over an hour to the small medieval city of Montalcino known most for its Brunello wine. Only the last thing on my mind was wine tasting or the way the sun warmly reflected off its streets made of stone. I had to pee.
We’d found parking in a lot below the wall of Montalcino which meant we had to climb the steep hill leading up to the city gate. As soon as we arrived, I told Tony the first thing we had to do was find a bathroom. Usually, an easy task if you’re in any modern town. But there were no McDonalds or Starbucks in this Medieval City.
We looked for tourist signs, and scoured maps on our phones for information. Finally, I found a tourist office where a lady directed me to a bathroom just down the street. When we got there, it was out of order. We searched for at least an hour before we finally found a bathroom that was little more than a toilet with a locking door. But by then, we both were hot and tired.
We wondered what was wrong with us. We were in Tuscany! This was our incredible Italian vacation, and we were unhappy.
Rather than wanting to re-walk the streets of Montalcino, we just wanted to return to the B&B. We both were cranky and a little short with each other. In the car, on our way back to where we were staying, we wondered what was wrong with us. We were in Tuscany! This was our incredible Italian vacation, and we were unhappy.
Our problem? It wasn’t our exasperating search for a bathroom, we were exhausted. We had landed in Venice almost a week before and we hadn’t stopped since. Not only that, but despite being morning people, we’d fallen in love with nightly walking the medieval cities we stayed in, after all the other tourists had left. Because, who wants to sleep when you’re in Italy?
Who wants to sleep when you’re in Italy?
Only we were reminded that day, rest isn’t something you can put off. Even when you’re in the very place you want to be. As human beings, our need for rest is non-negotiable. Whether we’re in times of adventure, or stress. Here are five facts I’ve been learning about self care, that have been life changing:
Self care means whole self care.
I’ve had seasons in my life when I ate healthily, but didn’t exercise—and vice versa, I exercised but didn’t eat well. However, I am learning that self care is like taking care of a bicycle. If you don’t pump up the tires, grease the chain when needed, and make sure the seat is at the right level—you won’t have a smooth ride. In the same way, each of us need to take care of all the parts of ourselves. We need to eat well, exercise, and figure out how to rest and rejuvenate both physically and emotionally.
We need to pay attention to the right voices.
I used to ignore the voice of my body telling me to take better care of myself. It landed me in the hospital. Only interestingly, most of us also have voices inside telling us not to do exercise or try new things. Each of us have to figure out which voices have our best in mind. Then, choose to listen to them over the ones telling us to do what feels comfortable.
Self care includes our relationships.
Some of us have let negative or unhealthy people into our lives and they’re affecting our thinking or sense of well being. If they are our friends, we have to re-evaluate our friendships. If they are our family, we have to learn to set up boundaries.
We need to discover what feeds and fills us best.
For me, I know prayer, reading, and when possible, travel, fills my soul. Staying away from refined sugar, eating protein and lots of vegetables, and regularly exercising strengthens my body. But it has taken time to figure all this out. Pay attention to what makes you your best possible self for you, your work, and those around you.
If you can’t get a day of rest, take an hour or even twenty minutes.
That afternoon in Tuscany, Tony and I took a break. We rested. Then we sat on the patio outside our room with a glass of wine and enjoyed the view. And what started out as a bad day became one of my favorites from the entire trip. Don’t forgo a small break when you need it. It may be exactly what you need to keep going.
What have you learned about Self Care?
What feeds and fills you?
Have you too, struggled with finding focus since the Pandemic? Are you having a hard time feeling productive because you feel mentally exhausted? Sign up for my email list today, and receive a free copy of my Six Ways to Find Focus in a Pandemic. It will help you find your footing again.
*Photo Credit (and for more photo’s from our travels see): Tony Schlies Photography
