Have you had one of those days where your schedule is packed from the moment you wake up until the time you go to bed? It’s filled with appointments, tasks, and errands – some fun while others are not so fun. Nonetheless, they all have to get done. Yesterday was one of those days for me.
The part of the day I most looked forward to was the Dining for Women get together and finally meeting the women in the local chapter. This group meets monthly with the mission of changing the world one dinner at a time. As the day moved along and my task list looked more complete than incomplete, I realized my exhaustion from being off my sleep schedule really was too much to handle. However, I kept trying to convince myself that I could make it. “Yes,” I thought, “I can indeed do it all today.” I did not want to back out on a commitment, especially when it would be my first time meeting the group.
All afternoon, I went back and forth. One minute, “I can go! Yes, I can find the energy.” The next, “No, I can’t go. I am exhausted. What am I thinking?”
Finally, at about 5 PM, I decided to stop and listen to my body. I knew I was tired and needed sleep. I acknowledged I could not be my best self at this meeting, and another night of little sleep was not going to help me, my job, or any other responsibility I had. I forced myself to open my email and send a note. I canceled. Admittedly, I knew it was the right thing to do, but I was frustrated with myself for doing too much earlier in the week that caused me to be this exhausted in the first place!
Today, I am happy with my decision. I feel well-rested, clear-headed, and calmer than yesterday.
I am curious whether others wrestle with their daily schedules. We all have 24 hours in a day. Some have more outside help than others, but in many cases, the outside help only gives us more time to create a larger list! How do we get it all done – take care of the house, our loved ones, see our friends, take care of ourselves!?
Perhaps sometimes we just have to say, “No.”
Second Tuesday 