Taking a step back
Oh hey!
Most blog posts seem to start with an apology of why I haven't posted in 6 months, so lets just skip that and accept this blog is not as consistent as I wish. (Still determined to be a weekly publisher- one day!)
Life has been pretty chaotic for me these past few months, with lots of life changes and new seasons. I have been learning a lot about myself- the good, the bad and the down right ugly. So I thought I would share a bit of that with you, in the hope that you can join me on this crazy journey.
Lets take a backtrack.....
I moved to Bournemouth in 2018 to study a Communication and media degree. I was so fresh faced and genuinely ready to tackle adulthood and all it threw at me. I got stuck into church and university very quickly- trying to make friends with everybody and give everything a go. Looking back- I really was living my best life.
This was the year that 20 year old Charlie learnt what an unhealthy extrovert looked like. I would never spend time alone and would constantly fill my days and evenings up so I didn't have to be alone and stop. I enjoyed the fast pace lifestyle, as it felt productive and fun.
I would be asked "What does your rest look like?" "What day do you sabbath on?". These questions all felt alien to ask an extrovert. "I get energy from socialising, so actually resting and being alone is really bad for me" is probably how my response sounded.
For those of you who are not aware of what I mean when I say extrovert, then check this page out!
After about 11 months of being non stop all of first year and then working full time in the summer, I hit my limit. Glandular fever forced me to take a week of work in order to rest, slow down and get better. I had put my body under so much stress, it had given up. I can't say I blame it to be honest haha.
So I started second year with this new knowledge that rest is important and I really do not want to be ill again. I would love to say that ever since then I have been a changed women, but alas not the case. Being the keen bean I am, I took on far more than the previous year meaning my burn out time was a lot quicker than 11 months this time.
The first semester (September-December 19) was all my mind and body could handle before I reached a pretty burnt out Charlie once again. Now I am writing this post, being fully aware I am still recovering from being burnt out. So this season of figuring out what rest will look like is still very much happening, but lets figure it out together hey.
I just wanted to be a gentle reminder to say it is totally okay to say no and commit to a few things and do those things really well. It is okay to rest and stop because you feel like it- not all of our actions have to be justified and accounted for. Our body knows us pretty well and will let us know when our limits are, so just listen and know where your own boundaries lie.
From one workaholic to another, I feel ya. I'm here on this journey and process with you!
If you cannot relate but know your friends do, then please let us say no and even encourage it when we finally have the will power to decline events and hanging out.
Why not set this as your phone screen background to remind yourself of this simple truth!
Charlie x
Most blog posts seem to start with an apology of why I haven't posted in 6 months, so lets just skip that and accept this blog is not as consistent as I wish. (Still determined to be a weekly publisher- one day!)
Life has been pretty chaotic for me these past few months, with lots of life changes and new seasons. I have been learning a lot about myself- the good, the bad and the down right ugly. So I thought I would share a bit of that with you, in the hope that you can join me on this crazy journey.
Lets take a backtrack.....
I moved to Bournemouth in 2018 to study a Communication and media degree. I was so fresh faced and genuinely ready to tackle adulthood and all it threw at me. I got stuck into church and university very quickly- trying to make friends with everybody and give everything a go. Looking back- I really was living my best life.
This was the year that 20 year old Charlie learnt what an unhealthy extrovert looked like. I would never spend time alone and would constantly fill my days and evenings up so I didn't have to be alone and stop. I enjoyed the fast pace lifestyle, as it felt productive and fun.
I would be asked "What does your rest look like?" "What day do you sabbath on?". These questions all felt alien to ask an extrovert. "I get energy from socialising, so actually resting and being alone is really bad for me" is probably how my response sounded.
For those of you who are not aware of what I mean when I say extrovert, then check this page out!
After about 11 months of being non stop all of first year and then working full time in the summer, I hit my limit. Glandular fever forced me to take a week of work in order to rest, slow down and get better. I had put my body under so much stress, it had given up. I can't say I blame it to be honest haha.
So I started second year with this new knowledge that rest is important and I really do not want to be ill again. I would love to say that ever since then I have been a changed women, but alas not the case. Being the keen bean I am, I took on far more than the previous year meaning my burn out time was a lot quicker than 11 months this time.
The first semester (September-December 19) was all my mind and body could handle before I reached a pretty burnt out Charlie once again. Now I am writing this post, being fully aware I am still recovering from being burnt out. So this season of figuring out what rest will look like is still very much happening, but lets figure it out together hey.
I just wanted to be a gentle reminder to say it is totally okay to say no and commit to a few things and do those things really well. It is okay to rest and stop because you feel like it- not all of our actions have to be justified and accounted for. Our body knows us pretty well and will let us know when our limits are, so just listen and know where your own boundaries lie.
From one workaholic to another, I feel ya. I'm here on this journey and process with you!
If you cannot relate but know your friends do, then please let us say no and even encourage it when we finally have the will power to decline events and hanging out.
Why not set this as your phone screen background to remind yourself of this simple truth!
Charlie x
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