Lessons from a Tired October
For this week’s issue of Bad Blogging, I’ve decided to look back at the last month and pinpoint some of the things I’ve learned. October is almost over, and so is 2019. Some of these October Lessons might seem a bit obvious. If they are to you, then laugh and heckle me next time you seen me. As always, I’m not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed, and I’m not an expert at adulting.
Without further ado, here’s what October 2019 has taught me.
1. Everyone has an “off day” once in a while.
This month has been a “tired” month for me. My fatigue has reminded me that I have not taken any real time off in a year. That’s an old bad habit. While coworkers and friends around me have taken little “breaks” or vacations here and there, I have not.
I used to brag about being a workaholic. Now I joke about it, but I know it’s not a good thing. I’m proud of my work ethic, of course, but there’s nothing brag-worthy about consistently putting work over other priorities like self-care, family, rest, etc. My patience has worn thin, and I think I’ve lacked a little grace when dealing with people. I don’t like admitting that at all.
I need a break, and I need to give myself a break once in a while. An off day is just that: an off day. It’s not an off life. When I screw up, I like to say, “Well, I’ll just have to try again tomorrow.” There’s some truth to that. Sometimes I need to suck it up and get things done. But I also need to remember that it’s okay to give myself a break and have some self-awareness.
With that said, I’m going to start researching a little vacation in the very near future. I’m not going to feel bad about asking for a few days off, and I could use suggestions for a destination. Send them my way! Make sure the location is warm (see #2).
2. Get your heater looked at before it gets cold.
Okay, I’m not from a cold climate originally. Most of Southern California does not get a lot of snow. I don’t think I ever turned on the heater in my old house, and my L.A. apartment didn’t even have a heater at all. Now that I’m in the Midwest and took the plunge at home ownership again, I have learned about getting furnaces serviced before turning them on. I definitely waited too long, and this Californian was sleeping in hoodies and sweats with 3 blankets for a few days while I waited for my appointment. Sure, maybe I’m a little bit of a wimp in the cold, but I will never wait too long to call the heater guy again.
3. When people dislike you, don’t lose a minute of sleep over it.
Some people love to be critical and passive aggressive about their dislike. Most of the time, I haven’t given them a reason to dislike me. The inner rebel in me has come dangerously close to lashing out at my harshest critics this tired October. I’ve learned, this month especially, that it’s not worth stewing about. People will be mean sometimes, and people will dislike me. I’m reminded that I have complete control of my reactions as a result of this knowledge. I can’t control people’s actions toward me. I’m not saying I need to put up with meanness or petty drama. I just need to keep moving forward no matter what.
4. Keep flossing.
I went to the dentist this month. I didn’t stop flossing just because I’m tired. Guess I should probably keep that habit up since my gums weren’t a bloody mess the moment the hygienist came at me with the floss.
5. Check in with old friends more often.
When I get down and tired, I tend to withdraw and get quiet. Unfortunately, that sometimes goes on for a while, and I have not been there for some old friends when they needed a friend. Life gets busy, and those long phone calls are truly missed yet delayed because I tend to be in a constant state of playing catch-up and avoiding true rest. Life’s too short to neglect the real friendships I’ve been blessed with. Ladies, you know who you are, and your phones will be ringing before October finishes out.
6. Sleep is not overrated.
Obviously, fatigue is a theme this October. I sacrifice sleep to get work done. I can’t remember the last time I got 8 hours of sleep. I’ve been scrolling through the FitBit, and nope. No 8 hours to see there. I’ve worked hard at balancing my exercise schedule and making sure I take days off to heal and recover from harder days. But sleep is something I rarely focus on, but it’s where the body heals and repairs. It’s not lazy to go to bed a little earlier once in a while. There’s only so much caffeine can do to compensate for lack of sleep. I’ve tested its effectiveness a few times this month.
7. Be like my dogs more often.
My dogs know how to relax. They enjoy their food, and they know how to cuddle up and go with the flow. They’re not afraid to “speak” up when they need something (like whining to go outside). They don’t withhold their love out of fear. They’re loyal and always happy to see me. They are always down for a bite of peanut butter. Sounds like decent human characteristics to me, no?
8. To-Do Lists mean nothing if you never get around to them.
I’m a sticky note and Sharpie hoarder. I always have lists. Grocery lists. Daily To-Do lists. Reminder lists. Birthday lists. House project lists. Dream house idea lists. Vacation destination possibility lists. I LOVE checking things off the lists. I feel so accomplished. But I almost always knock out the easy stuff first. I go to the grocery store and don’t get around to outlining that chapter for the new book. I set a daily reminder in my phone to stretch, but I almost never stop what I’m doing to do it. I’ll think about possible locations for a little vacation but never check flights or actually take an overt action to further the idea.
I like to get things done, but the things I dream of getting done don’t get done just because I took the time to write them down on a post-it note with a fresh Sharpie. Time to start checking off the hard stuff. November is a fresh month to change my list priorities.
9. Read the books.
I was looking through my bookshelf this weekend, and I saw so many “good” books. Um, yeah, I have heard their good. I wouldn’t know though. When we’re getting real about it, I’ve probably only read about ten percent of the book on my shelves. I love books and I love to read. The last time I actually finished a book I held in my hands (Audiobooks don’t count because I listen to those a lot.) was last summer during a family trip to Lake Shasta. That was over a year ago. I’m headed to my bookshelf to dust off one of those old mysteries I’ve been “meaning to read.”
Read the books, my friends! Here’s to a more restful November.
More Bad Blogging next Monday!