Fortune Cookie Friday: It’s Okay to Just Say No
Even though I work from my home, that doesn’t mean it insulates me from the stresses of life. Granted, I don’t have to drive to an office or shop or work for someone else, but I can’t shirk my responsibilities either.
Our duties at work and home keep us moving throughout the day. We have to earn money, pay bills, do the laundry, etc. Life is full of things to do, but we tend to load too much onto our plates. Everything from volunteering to keeping up with the Jones’ can take its toll.
Even if we have a spouse or partner helping us out, we can easily run ourselves ragged trying to fit everything in every day. Throw in the chaos of the pandemic, and life can feel overwhelming to the point of breaking.
Sometimes all we can do is scream, “Enough!”
We find it harder and harder to drag ourselves out of bed in the morning. We lose our temper over the silliest of conflicts. We feel alone and unable to cope with all the pressure—much of it self-induced.
Enough!
Other people tell us how to work and live. They tell us what shows to watch, music to listen to, and friends to have. It doesn’t matter if these people are family, coworkers, or politicians. They point in a direction, and we plod along because we are at our wit’s end.
Enough!
As much as we need to work, we also have a duty to feed our bodies, minds, and souls. We can’t work at peak proficiency or help others if we can’t help ourselves first.
It’s also our responsibility to perform self-maintenance and no one else’s. Sure, we can seek help with some of it, but we need to recognize when we are tired, hungry, and lost. We should feel comfortable saying, “No.” Then, we can work on remedying the situation.
Now, that remedy will be different for each of us. I enjoy being outside with nature as a source of solace. Others prefer reading a good book, playing sports, or chatting with friends. What matters most is that we put the stresses behind us for a portion of the day (every day) and focus on ourselves. This focus does not mean we should be selfish, just self-aware.
Think of the human body as an automobile. We need to service our cars now and then, check the fluids, and fill the tank. Even small things like checking the tire tread can keep us from having an accident. It also helps to give our cars a good wash and polish to protect the paint.
These services are no different from what we should be doing for ourselves. A body’s recommended maintenance and a little pampering can keep us running in tip-top shape for many years.
I try to take good care of myself. I exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and try not to overdo physical or technological vices. I’m usually up every early morning and at my desk, ready to get as much work done as necessary.
A good routine is essential for someone who works in or away from home, but we can still get sick, injured, or make mistakes even with that preparedness. Luckily, our maintenance helps prevent bad times—which will inevitably happen—from being worse.
When I am under the weather or recovering from an injury, I can stay the course and get back on my feet sooner because I took the time to care for myself. All it took was saying no to the chaos that I couldn’t handle, and it’s is a small price to pay when enough is enough.
