Running on fumes
I have a tendency, like most young paycheck-to-paycheck earners, to let my gas tank get so low, I am convinced it is running merely on gas fumes when I pull into the station. I am running on fumes, vapors, slight wisps of flagging energy as my personal orange light glows insistently.
I don't understand. I've never felt so energized by my personal and professional life. Why at this point am I more tired, nay, more exhausted than I have ever been? I am exercising regularly, getting great cardio and mixing in an occasional yoga class. I am eating healthy, timing my fruit, veggie, protein and carb intake to the best times of day. I am taking a daily multivitamin. I leave my work stress at the office. I go to bed before midnight. What the heck is going on?
I have begun to notice, too, that my physical exhaustion creeps into my emotional life. Both yesterday and today I have felt close to tears on more than one occasion, even making a dash for the office bathroom to choke back some emotion and pump myself back up. And all these healthy habits I mentioned above, there's a part of me that wants to say, "Screw it, I'm still exhausted. Let's skip the run and go have a burger and a strawberry shake." But I don't, because I know I'd still feel exhausted – plus lazy and bloated to boot.
I can't help but feel like at some point I'm going to breakdown if I don't stop to refuel. I think the real problem is that I haven't felt a moment of relaxation in the past three weeks. Even my sleep serves a purpose; it's a necessity, something that needs to get done on the checklist so I can carry on with the rest of the list.
But how do you refuel?
Not just what do you do, but how do you stop your brain and recharge?
Tell us: What restores your energy and brings you renewed vitality to face your day-to-day challenges and big goals?
I don't understand. I've never felt so energized by my personal and professional life. Why at this point am I more tired, nay, more exhausted than I have ever been? I am exercising regularly, getting great cardio and mixing in an occasional yoga class. I am eating healthy, timing my fruit, veggie, protein and carb intake to the best times of day. I am taking a daily multivitamin. I leave my work stress at the office. I go to bed before midnight. What the heck is going on?
I have begun to notice, too, that my physical exhaustion creeps into my emotional life. Both yesterday and today I have felt close to tears on more than one occasion, even making a dash for the office bathroom to choke back some emotion and pump myself back up. And all these healthy habits I mentioned above, there's a part of me that wants to say, "Screw it, I'm still exhausted. Let's skip the run and go have a burger and a strawberry shake." But I don't, because I know I'd still feel exhausted – plus lazy and bloated to boot.
I can't help but feel like at some point I'm going to breakdown if I don't stop to refuel. I think the real problem is that I haven't felt a moment of relaxation in the past three weeks. Even my sleep serves a purpose; it's a necessity, something that needs to get done on the checklist so I can carry on with the rest of the list.
But how do you refuel?
Not just what do you do, but how do you stop your brain and recharge?
Tell us: What restores your energy and brings you renewed vitality to face your day-to-day challenges and big goals?
Labels: exercise, health, relaxation, stress
posted by Holly Hoffman at
1:35 AM
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3 Comments:
Maybe you're missing something? I feel the same way though, I can't figure out what it is- if you do, please let me know.
Try to find joy in the little things! Interesting conversation with a old friend, some minor but nagging task at work finally accomplished...a dance lesson(Hanging with friends or cool people does it for me.)! Getting things done in life sometimes causes us to become slaves to the process of getting things done. We often find that there is just another thing to get done, instead of feeling positive about completing the task that was just at hand. We punish ourselves (mentally) for go thru the rigors of day to day life, mostly to be just a little closer to a goal that is maybe still so far away. Example: Why go to the gym? Is it to look good or be health? And when you dissect that part of your life, do you feel your accomplishing either? Remember why you do what you do and take time to reflect and celebrate the journey to all your goals and expectation! They are only satisfying because of the times we felt they(goals, ect...) would not come to forishen and the times we push through our discomfort to actually accomplish them. Hope this helped and made sense!
Running on fumes, sounds like my life for the past 3 years. Today I hit the breaking point. I'm tired of being a victim to my circumstances, I am tired of procrastinating everything! Today I will take charge and get my life back one step at a time. Thanks for the inspiring post.
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