Frazzled...
Hi everyone, Ash here!
It's Thursday evening and I'm tired, irritable and all the typos in this email are making my head want to explode (they'll be fixed when it's sent but as I'm writing this, every other word is broken!) Quite honestly, I have been so busy this week that I'm a little bit frazzled - just like Sam said she was last week. I've started three different emails and all of them have gone in to drafts because the words weren't flowing and what I was trying to say just didn't make sense! We all get frazzled at times so, firstly, I just want to say that it's okay to sometimes put your hands up and say "I'm a little tired so I can't quite meet your expectations right now - hope that's okay?".
None of us are perfect. None of us can be fun, motivational and energetic all of the time. Sometimes you just need to rest your head and 'switch off' - that is definitely me right now, but I'm not looking for sympathy! I'm frazzled because I have some amazing things going on in my life and I am loving it! I'm busy and overwhelmed at times but I have so much to be grateful for and lots of awesome things coming my way! I'm mostly full of positivity and happiness but, right now, in this moment and time... I'm tired! This weekend I plan to make time for self care. I want to read and watch Netflix. I want to walk in the sunshine (fingers crossed) with my husband. I want to meditate for longer than 10 minutes! I want to eat delicious food! I want to really appreciate all the wonderful things going on in my life. I'm making the commitment right now to do my best to make this happen
It's okay to feel low in mood, overwhelmed or tired. It's okay to admit you need a duvet day (or two). It's okay to admit that some things are driving you crazy and your headspace is frazzled and you need some time to yourself. It's okay because, when you recognise these feelings, you can do something about it. This is what mindfulness is partly about - acknowledging your present moment situation, embracing all that it is teaching you and choosing to take some control back if needed (whilst remembering that you may not always be able to be in complete control, all of the time). Understanding how your mind works and how you can be the best version of you is what makes you powerful, and this includes making time to rest. I had a really lovely chat with one of my clients this week who is making so much time for everyone else in her life but neglecting to make time for herself. I joked that she needed a weekend in her diary that was just for her and asked her to find a weekend within the next few weeks that she could dedicate to herself - doing whatever makes her happy with 100% of the intention being on her! I realised that I needed to do the same and this weekend is my 'Ashley weekend'! When was the last time you kept a weekend free just for you? As soon as you finish reading this email I encourage you to pick up your calendar and block off a weekend within the next few weeks and call it 'my weekend'. Don't commit to anything unless you know 100% it will be good for your body and mind, keep it free with the sole purpose of only doing what you know will make you feel calm and rested or energised and motivated (or all of them!).
Whether you feel on top of the world, a little low or somewhere inbetween, make sure you pay attention to your body, mind and feelings. Recognise that you can say no when you need to. Or yes, if that helps. Make time for YOU, and don't ever feel selfish for doing so. We all get frazzled sometimes, it's usually our body's way of telling us to slow down for a moment. Listen to it
Have a great weekend (or week if you are reading this Monday morning!). I plan to be less frazzled next week - it's going to be another good one!
Keep smiling
Sam and Ash
