Can I let myself take a break?

Dear EQuipped Leaders,

Hi!

I’m on a break right now. A beautiful, generous, luxurious break.

And I’m starting it out by writing to you.

Because I have a hard time letting myself take a break until after I’ve accomplished something.

Can you relate?

Are you on break right now?

Do you feel more stressed during a break at home with your family than you do at work?

If so, it’s okay. It doesn’t make you a bad person. It just makes you human.

I’ve used work and the distraction of work stress to avoid other things in my life for a lot of my adult life. I’ve created more work and stress and chaos for myself out of anxiety and avoidance of unaddressed issues in my personal life.

Have you ever used work to regulate your own anxiety? Or to justify your anxiety?

Even now with so much more self-awareness, it’s still really hard to let myself take a break.

To believe I’m okay even when I’m taking a break.

I’m still a worthy human being.

I’m more than what I accomplish.

I’m worthy of stopping for a bit.

I’m worthy of rest. Of peace. Of enjoying myself.

You are too.

I’m not going to write a normal blog this week. I’m going to write this, close my laptop, and try to let myself relax. To be. To stop doing. Stop meeting everyone else’s needs. Stop bustling around. I’m going to try to get quiet and still and let myself take a break.

Because you’re here, reading this, I wonder if you’re like me and really good about working to be better. Striving. Trying really hard. Pushing.

Which is beautiful. The hard worker in me honors the hard worker in you. We get SO much great work done! We hold so much up for our families, our schools, our communities.

AND I wonder what it’s like for you to take a break. I wonder if this is easier for you than it is for me. If you already know you’re worthy of rest.

Wherever this lands for you, thank you for showing up here each week with me to reflect and learn and grow. I’m grateful for you.

I hope you have a replenishing and cozy break and a very happy (and all the feelings) new year.

Stay rested and soft, Elizabeth