On Not Moving

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On Not Moving

October 9, 2014 by Suzanne

Yesterday, I chose to take a break from moving.

There were many factors involved in this decision. Wednesdays are my long days. I work desk from 8:00-4:00, then I have office hours from 5:30-6:30 and teach class from 6:30-9:30, so Wednesday is my 12-hour workday. Add to this that yesterday was the first day of six that my supervisor will be out, and we no longer have a night desk clerk, so I’m the only full-time staff in the building and thus have more responsibilities. There was no one’s office to walk to, and I had plenty at my own desk to keep me busy (and seated). Yesterday was also the monthly part-timer training that I lead, and elevators are faster than stairs. And on top of all the added work at work, I decided yesterday would be a great time to start my outline for the Feast ebook that I’m drafting in November.

By the end of the day, I was mentally done. When I finally got home, I just wanted to sit in front of the TV and veg.

So that’s what I did.

I’m not going to beat myself up for making that choice. It’s one day. One missed day is not a big deal.

I am, however, going to remember a few things.

I am going to remember that mentally tired does not necessarily equal physically tired. Being blessed with abundant energy makes it hard to get to sleep when that energy is not used. This is shedding some light on my seasonal insomnia.

I am going to remember that having a hard time falling asleep makes it harder to get up in the morning. Instead of waking up five or ten minutes before my alarm went off, rested and ready to face the day, I woke up this morning disoriented and confused by the terrible sound that was jarring me awake. I am going to remember how unpleasant that was.

I am going to remember that even a little activity and a little stretching before bed goes a long way toward not waking up with my back in knots.

I am going to remember that vegging out is more fun when I don’t have a cloud of what-I-could-be-doing-instead hanging over me. The cloud robs relaxation of some of its joy.

I am at peace with my choice to take a day off, but I’m remembering the natural consequences.

I am committing to 31 Days of Movement (or…you know…at least writing about it).

Posted in 31 Days, Work | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on October 9, 2014 at 4:35 pm | Reply Miah

Love this. It’s so easy to forget those consequences.
- on October 9, 2014 at 4:43 pm | Reply coffeesnob318
  
  Right? I didn’t really think about them before, but now that I’ve been more intentional about movement, they’re more noticeable.
on October 10, 2014 at 3:58 pm | Reply JoAnne Silvia

Sheesh! That IS a long day! Good for you for taking care of yourself! You deserve some vegging after a day like that. My goal for long days is to remember to stretch in the middle of the day, ideally throughout the day. When I remember this, my body loves it. Today is not a long day, it’s my writing day, Yay! But I think I’ll stretch right now anyway! (I’m really not trying to rhyme, I swear.)
- on October 10, 2014 at 4:12 pm | Reply coffeesnob318
  
  Lol – I like the rhyming. It’s hard to give myself permission to take a day off, but I needed it. It also made my resolve to get right back to the movement on the following day firmer.
on October 12, 2014 at 8:21 pm | Reply Juliet

I just watched the terrifying but funny arm video. I didn’t do it. just watched. Then I read this post. And I realised you’re probably right. Going to bed early tonight (having spent too many hours this week driving up and down to Oxford)will be much more satisfying if I move a little. But I’m making this a long comment because I suspect I won’t be able to move my arms again for a long time…
- on October 13, 2014 at 2:37 am | Reply coffeesnob318
  
  It’s definitely a lot of work for eight minutes. I love efficient exercise.