I’m knackered, I’m running on empty, how can I continue?
This is a phrase that I constantly hear in my office and on the street, and to be honest, when one listens attentively, it’s more than understandable. On the one hand, this year has demanded from us a lot of creativity, strength and collective patience in a world hit by the pandemic and by social, political, and cultural injustice. On an individual level, some have doubled their efforts to keep their jobs afloat or have become as flexible as possible in the face of new demands. Those who lost their jobs have been forced to face the unknown looking for job opportunities. Parents have devoted a lot of time and energy to their children with distance education. In addition, there are people who have started or have joined social groups promoting integrity and respect without leaving their daily obligations aside. Impossible not to be exhausted, right? We’re using a lot more energy than usual thinking, worrying, and burning our inner reserves.
As always, there is light and a lot can be done to ease the above. For sensitive people who are permeable to the news, the time has come to say "enough, I’m not listening to or watching any more than the minimum necessary." This isn’t about denying reality, on the contrary, we have to know the truth and we have to act on it, but we have to be careful not to get trapped in the generalized humor that turns off our joy and lowers our defenses and energy.
“Today more than ever, we have to use our ability to discern between what we can do and what we cannot”
As the serenity prayer wisely puts it. "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change those things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
The truth is that most of us are immersed in a huge transition and although this year has been clearer than before, what follows is true for any change that either life imposes on us or that we choose to embark on. Transitions require our action, energy, and determination. It’s important to hold the vision of what we’re undertaking and that we start with baby steps, little by little. If, instead, we refuse to give ourselves time between our actions, and our minds run on the hamster wheel, we’ll end up feeling exhausted and burned out. There’s great resistance to accepting that we’re little humans in a big world full of surprises. When we embrace our vulnerability, we begin to let go of our rigid behavior and relax. We give ourselves permission to be alone, to rest, to renew, to write, to meditate, and to pause.
In those quiet moments, a huge space begins to open inside us. It’s in that place where we’ll get the wisest answers to our most urgent questions. That’s why it’s necessary to make this process conscious because when we attend to soul, it always responds to us gratefully. In stillness, we’ll discover the strongest and wisest part within us that will take care of our deepest needs and guide us through our way. The juice is found in the balance between doing and resting, between taking things seriously and laughing at everything a little bit.
A big hug ♥