In a previous video I have said that sometimes you need to take a break. There is something to be said for someone who respects themselves enough know when they have too much on their plate. I think many of us who have our plate full, usually contains someone else’s food.I say that it comes down to self respect because if you are filling your time and energy with other’s interests instead of your own, you aren’t taking the time to focus on your own issues. In essence, since you don’t have the time to focus on yourself, you are worrying about your problems, rather than being able to fix them. So I would challenge everyone out there to take time for themselves. Don’t worry about other problems out there that you can’t control or that don’t belong in your sphere of influence. All it will end up doing to you if you overwhelm yourself with other’s problems, is you will run yourself ragged.
I’m by no means saying that you shouldn’t help when you feel called or when you want. I’m just saying to know how much you can take on and when enough is enough. Know when you have had enough, and take a break. Some may view a break as a sign of weakness. I actually see it as a sign of self respect and self preservation. There is nothing weak about knowing that you can’t give from an empty well, and knowing when your well is empty.
Many who follow me, whether it’s on this blog, YouTube, or Twitter consider themselves witches. As magical practitioners we often focus on the balance of everything. This is the same when it comes to our personal or mundane selves. Yet we seem to have blinders on when it comes to it.
So your challenge is to find if you are taking care of someone else’s problems. If you are, and you need a break, take it. Look our for your own well being, and fill your empty well.
What are some ways to take a break?
- Have a spa day. There are times when the money is available to treat yourself. If this is the case, take yourself out for some well needed pampering.
- Take a bubble bath. If money is an issue, a bottle of bubble bath is less costly than a spa day. Run yourself a nice bubble bath with candles and light music. Visualize all your tensions leaving your body and going down the drain when you are done.
- Bed down for the day. If the idea of soaking in a tub isn’t something that relaxes you, then maybe staying in bed is exactly what you need. Put someone else in charge of taking care of the house for the day, if at all possible. Binge your favorite movies or television series that replenish your spirit if you have one. Read a book that makes your heart sing. Write poetry. These are all things that can be done from the comfort of your own bed. Taking time to sleep when sleep is needed is also something that certain people resonate with as well.
- Listen to music. Listen to your favorite artist or artists. I find incredible peace when listening to Johnny Cash or Rosanne Cash. Their music brings peace and comfort when needed, as well as gets me motivated to do what I need to when I need to get out and do what needs to be done.
- GO OUTSIDE. This may seem obvious but going outside without agenda or expectations can be a wonderful way of filling your empty well. Go out and just sit, walk, or dance. There is no telling what your deity will say or show you while you are out there doing nothing but just being.
- Blow bubbles. It may be childish or silly, but it’s hard to not have fun when you’re blowing bubbles. If you’re doing this outside, watch the bubbles as they travel though the air until they disappear.
- Open your shades. If you are like me, being indoors is a safe place for you. Sometimes simply opening your windows or even opening the shades will bring light into your life.
- Connect with Uplifting People. While some may say connecting with family members is the best way to take a break. I would disagree with this as an absolute. It can certainly be a wonderful experience to connect with family, but sometimes family may be the people that you need a break from. They can be the most taxing individuals to the draining of our well. It doesn’t mean that we don’t love them by taking a break from certain family members, it simply means that we need to fill our well so we can keep giving to them. So instead of just connecting with family members, I would encourage you to connect with anyone who is an uplifting person. Someone who doesn’t expect you to do anything for them, but instead just wants to be in your presence is the perfect company when needed.
- Go to a museum. This is one that I would love to mention since art speaks to so many. Going to a museum or art exhibit is a wonderful way to find uplifting art or explore the depths of your soul. Knowing that these artists portrayed their soul in this art brings a connection to you from them, and also to your inner self.
- Allow Yourself to DO. This one is intentionally vague. Do you have something that fills your soul? Something that is in the “one day I’ll get to do that” list? Those projects that can’t get completed because you are helping others are piling up. Take your break to be productive on things that you want to do. These don’t have to be anything specific or even be productive. If you want to make a diorama of the Flintstones or if you want to start a business, anything goes. This is your time to do anything that you have been putting off. If it doesn’t get fully completed (if completion is possible) don’t worry. Some things are able to be put on hold until your next break. The goal for this is to get you to start doing what you want to do.
I hope you have found some of these tips helpful. Please share any other ideas that you have by leaving a comment below.
