Prioritise Pacing Yourself

It feels good to be back writing a blogpost for the first time in months! Hope it finds you well.

Over the past number of months, I’ve gone completely against all the recommendations that are usually offered on how to build a following online. No scheduled weekly posts and no consistent online presence; M.I.A by name and nature, a rebel at large here!

And why? Because, I realised ahead of time (for a change!) that I needed to set a more even pace for this particular period of my life before I could agree to be pulled in countless different directions. It has truly worked to my benefit.

I often talk about self-care and I do so to remind myself just as much as anyone else not to take on too much at any given time. As a recovering people-pleaser, I am constantly working on learning to say ‘No’ when necessary. Oftentimes, it’s knowing when to say it to myself. I have a recurring tendency of thinking I can somehow wedge an extra task or event in to an already jam-packed line up that is usually my life!

I returned to work full time in September after a year of job sharing. Before I began, I was honest with myself, and was uncharacteristically realistic about what a fair estimation of my energy output would be in the upcoming months. (To use another of my Dad’s gems, what’s seldom is wonderful!) I knew that there would be an initial readjustment period returning to work, on both an energetic and time level. So I promised myself that I would afford myself a number of months of a ‘settling back’ phase. That way I could focus on my work day, and my own self-care and personal life, rather than cramming the facilitation of meditation classes and workshops, and the writing of blogposts into evenings and weekends.

And why? Because I knew that trying to juggle it all would probably push me past the point of healthy balance. What would be the point in me sitting down to write a blogpost on self-care when the pressure of trying to produce it was putting my own self-care in jeopardy?! Anyone who knows me well knows that authenticity is hugely important to me, so there was no way I was going down that road.

Also, as I am a teacher, I was conscious of balancing the amount of energy that I give out on a daily basis. My pupils absolutely deserve the best of my energy reserves, as do I, my personal life and the people close to me, so I felt it important to make those areas my priority. So I eased back in to work, and it has been a truly gorgeous year.

Happily in the mix of it all, I also got engaged! So wedding planning kicked off, as did more of the ‘pace myself’ approach! At present, all of the major aspects of the wedding that need to be in place are booked, so we are now in the midst of a lovely calm period of waiting.

Fast forward to now, I feel I have successfully reacclimatised myself in school at this stage, in fact, the finish line for this year is now in sight. So for that reason, along with the quiet pre-wedding phase, and my desire to write reigniting, I feel ready to pop up every now and again with some words and ramblings to offer! (At present, continuing not to commit to a predictable posting schedule though for now, still a rebel without a cause!!)

So why am I bothering to share all this with you? Hopefully reading this might prompt you to think about some of your regular activities in life, and realise that the only person that you are accountable to or that you have to prove yourself to in the long run is you. It’s ok to take a break, whether from your online presence or social situations. Your energy and time is precious, as is your wellbeing. Those who matter won’t forget you in your absence, and will welcome you back with love whenever you have the right amount of energy to do so.

Mind you!

Love