It’s Ok To Rest

For The Caregivers

You know who you are, the ones giving endlessly to others. The ones hell bent on putting everyone else’s needs before their own.

Fun story, my family was visiting and we got to take a trip together to Yosemite. In the midst of packing for my entire family, asking my brother and dad if they had enough warm clothes and a jacket, I forgot to pack my own jacket.

At first this made me mad at myself. Then I quickly jumped on board with self compassion. I reminded myself I had packed everything for my husband, my kids, and almost everything for myself.

Did I put myself last?

Yes.

Did I forget my jacket?

Yes.

Was I going to beat myself up over it?

No.

I’ve spent enough time doing that.

If you’re someone who is constantly giving to others, maybe your a parent, a daughter caring for an aging parent, someone with a sick spouse or a high needs child, maybe your chosen job is to care for others, if that’s you then listen up….

It’s okay to stop moving.

It’s okay to take a break.

It’s okay to not always be doing things for others.

Stopping isn’t lazy, it’s recharging your battery.

When you stop you will feel everything you’ve been doing.

Give yourself a minutes to run through the list of things you’ve done for others today.

Give yourself a moment to soak up all you’ve done.

There will always be a list of chores and tasks you need to get to.

Give yourself a moment to feel everything you are doing and have done leading up to this moment right here.

Give yourself a break.

That voice in your head telling you to keep moving, keep doing, keep giving, it’s the same one that tells you you’re worthless or screwed up, or get everything wrong. That voice is a lie and it’s keeping you from enjoying the gifts that are here now.

The gift of your breath in this moment.

The gift of a moment to rest.

The gift of laughter.

The gift of hearing the wind blow and the birds chirp.

The gift of noticing your loved ones when they are near and soaking in their presence.

The gift of sharing time with the person or people you are caring for.

Don’t miss that.

Give yourself a break, for however long you can.

You deserve to be cared for too.

Love Always,

Danielle Mallett