REFILL YOUR TANK NOW!

“Do something nice for yourself today. Find some quiet, sit in stillness, breathe. Put your problems on pause. You deserve a break.” ― Akiroq Brost

How are you doing? Are you running on empty?

Last week, Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, resigned. She made a brave decision to stop before total exhaustion brought her to a standstill.  

Sadly, I didn’t stop!

And, because of that, the unimaginable happened…I crashed instead.

For a long time, I’d been using up my reserves and not stopping to refuel. I had gotten used to habitual exhaustion, to the stress and the overwhelm. It seemed normal to me.

 And for two weeks before the crash, the situation worsened, I didn’t sleep at all. I stayed awake each night, working and making plans. I would write all through the night.

 That was the final straw. It tipped me into overdrive –into a manic state – and into madness. I lost my inhibitions, my fear, my boundaries – and I lost my mind!

 Watching someone you love behave in such a strange way is very scary. As I look back now, I can still see the incredible pain in the eyes of my family. I can see the terror. They didn’t know what to do to keep me safe, and so they sought help.

 “Lynne, come with us to see the doctor.” “We’re worried about you.” “Please, let us help, let the doctors help.”

We went to the hospital and… they sectioned me that day.

It wasn’t until later when I was recovering, that I began to understand the implications of what had happened to me.

I’d hit rock bottom. I was broken.

• What if it happened again?

• What if I didn’t recover?

• What if I lost my job?

• What would people think about me?

• What would people say about me?

The shame of what had happened to me hit me. I felt so vulnerable. I don’t ever remember feeling more frightened.

Fast forward to today, and I’m here, and I’m strong. And, although what happened to me doesn’t define me, it’s helped to shape me.

I sometimes imagine, if I had a magic wand, would I wish it away? And the answer surprises me , given how awful the situation was.

I wouldn’t. I wouldn't wish it away because it’s taught me so much. But… I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else.

If you’re running on empty, please…don’t do it my way!

Take a leaf out of Jacinda Ardern’s book and:

• Have the courage to stop and take stock.

• Weigh up the demands on you against your inner resources.

• Think about the small things you can do to change your situation in the short term.

• Think about the life you’d like to be living.

• And… don’t wait. Make that change now. You’re more important than any job. Put yourself first.

10 WAYS TO START REFUELLING YOUR TANK. 

1.     Make sleep a priority.

2.    Talk to someone about how you feel.

3.    Prioritize your self-care – eat nutritiously and exercise – give your body a helping hand.

4.    Find the stress management tools that work best for you (breathing techniques, mindfulness, gratitude, meditation, affirmations).

5.    Take regular mini-mental breaks (listen to music, read a book, talk to a friend, close your eyes, use the Pomodoro method).

6.    Let go of trying to be perfect – sometimes good enough is all that’s needed. And stop comparing yourself to others… you are uniquely you!

7.    Avoid things that you know add to your stress, e.g. spending lots of time on social media.

8.    Spend time with people you care about, who encourage you and who are positive.

9.    Be kind to yourself.

10. Do things that bring you joy (for me, that might be photography or reading or spending time in nature). What is it for you??

“Self-care is your fuel ... Whatever the road ahead or the path you’ve taken, self-care is what keeps your motor running and your wheels turning.”— Melissa Steginus