I recently had to recognize to slow it down a bit. And it was surprisingly kinda hard.

Not because I don’t love slowing it down (for those that know me looooooooong coffees in the morning in my pjs is my jam).

I just felt like I had some nice chill summer weekends all in a row and a super-duper vacation that is coming up around the corner.

It didn’t feel like the right time, that the timing was off. But all the signs were there. Of course, I did my best to ignore all the signs and wish them away.

✅Like not being able to shake off the heaviness of the workday.
✅Waking up after a good night’s sleep still a little fuzzy like.
✅Playing head games with myself to get my butt to the gym for my workout. Things like that. And all my wishing away didn’t really work.

Is this sounding familiar to you too? So, I decided to listen to myself (yes, myself was surprised!) and take a quick life exit to get back on track.

It wasn’t easy as I still tried to reason that the timing was off, and my confused husband kept asking me why I am taking a vacation before my vacation? Ha.

I explained a need to decompress. And guess what, this time to decompress resulted in similar feelings of living lively and having fun. I felt lighter, clearer and my get-up-and-go back on track.

What a big ‘aha’. All it took was a life exit with a good book, some free writing moments, sleep yoga (yes, a thing), friend carefree ‘no plans’ play time and hours of letting my mind wander aimlessly with reflections.

And really what it took was me eventually taking my “need to decompress” signs seriously.

I hope when the time comes, you do too.

I found this great article written by Neuroscientist Caroline Leaf, Ph.D., who talks about her four favourite techniques to decompress. Dr. Leaf shared that life has a way of creeping up on us and I couldn’t agree more.

Decompressing is defined as relieving or reducing the pressure.  

Here is the thing… Prioritizing decompressing is as equally important as prioritizing fun in your life. And both should not be fought but warmly embraced.

Even if the timing is not right.

So if you need to, go decompress! Then prioritize fun! And most likely a little rinse and repeat action in there.

Yours in decompress and lively spirit, Treena x