Not every day is rosy for me. There are times when just getting out of bed is a challenge. My plans often don’t match what I actually accomplish. On those difficult days, taking small steps can be a victory in itself. When it all becomes overwhelming, it’s okay to take a break, watch a movie, and take care of yourself. Recently, I had a day where I achieved only half of what I wanted, but I was proud of myself for keeping going and getting something done.
My Exhausted Day
I woke up before my alarm, feeling utterly exhausted. My body ached, likely from Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) caused by back-to-back gym sessions and running the True Grit Marathon two days earlier. A headache was building, and my throat felt slightly sore. Part of me wanted to pull the doona cover over me and sleep the day away.
The past few weeks had been incredibly demanding. Between the marathon, managing school holidays, a trip away, and balancing the responsibilities of being a present mother and wife, I had little time for myself and felt completely drained.
Despite my fatigue, I stumbled out of bed, made my lemon water, and meditated before starting to work towards my goals. I cherish my morning “me time” because I know I function so much better after it. About an hour later, my son woke up early. Setting boundaries has become crucial for me, so after some cuddles, I told him I’d be out at 7 to start making breakfast.
Did I mention that both my kids had friends sleeping over? No wonder I felt like I’d been hit by a bus.
Still, I managed to make waffles and hot chocolate for the 5 children, clear up, and get myself ready. As I waved goodbye to the last friend heading home, my husband asked if I wanted to join him at the gym in an hour. Although I hit a wall of exhaustion, I agreed that stretching my body might help.
We then had special time with the kids, which, thanks to the Positive Parenting Program, has been a game changer in our house. If you’re interested, you can read my special time blogs here:
- Special Time – 5 Simple Steps for Happier Children
- 10 Minute Daily Hack to get Well Behaved Kids
- Special Time Frequently Asked Questions Answered
After the timer for our special time went off, I hit another wall. I couldn’t keep my eyes open and felt a chill. Needing to lie down, I told my husband to give me 20 minutes before heading to the gym. Setting my timer for a 15-minute nap, I quickly fell asleep. When the timer buzzed, I felt even more exhausted, my body hurt, and my head throbbed.
Determined to keep moving, knowing it would eventually help me feel better, I got up for a light gym session. Though it was tough and I didn’t want to be there, stretching brought some relief.
That was it, I physically and mentally could not and did not want to do anything else. I called for a movie time with the kids, and we cuddled under a warm blanket on the couch.
The day was challenging, but I managed to take baby steps and accomplish things, even when I didn’t want to. Did I finish everything I planned? No, but instead of feeling disappointed, I was proud of myself for pushing through and achieving what I did.
Sometimes, the hardest part is simply starting and finding a balance between doing too much and too little. Do as much as you can and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with overcoming tough days—please share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!
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