for the weeks when life just happens, green wreath, white linen sheets on bed

For the Weeks When Life Just Happens

Posted: September 8, 2020 by Elizabeth Tackett

There are some weeks where the routines, rhythms, and intentions just fly out the door.

Has that ever happened to you?

You do your best to get up at the same time every morning, to make a healthy breakfast, to exercise, to do focused work, to finish the dishes before you go to bed.

But sometimes life just happens.

Maybe there are tensions at work, or you’ve had an argument with a friend that’s gone unresolved. Maybe a death in the family or some other big life change.

Whatever it is, I just want to remind you that it’s ok to have a day, week, or season of your life that feels unproductive. We can be as intentional as we want, and yet sometimes the best rhythm or routine for us is to simply rest.

It’s easier said than done, I know. When life happens, sometimes all you want to do is throw yourself into work or chores to ease the pain of the tension. But often the best thing for us to do is to pause, to slow down.

To drink that second cup of coffee while watching a movie rather than doing the laundry. To sit in a chair by the window and just think rather than exercise.

Can I just remind you that this type of slowing down is a rhythm too?

It may not feel like a rhythm, but if you look back on your life, there are probably moments where you’ve had to intentionally stop. Either your body reaches a breaking point of burnout or your mind is too overwhelmed with what life is throwing at you.

This is a rhythm that comes in seasons. It’s a full stop kind of pause.

Soul friend, when you reach those moments, know that it’s ok. You can and should pause deeper and longer. Maybe it’s taking time to process through the death in the family. Maybe it’s letting yourself breathe after a stream of work deadlines. Perhaps it’s practicing some self-care after that argument with your friend.

Those routines and rhythms will still exist and your intentions and purpose for your life have not gone to the wayside. They’ve simply been allowed to rest.

And you’ll get back up when you’re ready.

Maybe you’ll realize you need to tweak some of your routines, or perhaps you need to add a new one. As disruptive as a full stop pause can be, sometimes we come back from it with even more intention.

Soul friend, take the time you need to process through your life. Give yourself grace for the days, weeks, or season of rest from your routines. And know that you’ll get back on the horse again. It just takes time.


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2 Comments

  • Pamela Martin September 14, 2020 at 3:58 AM

    So needed this today. Thank you. I’m still working a 45 hour job while trying to start my blog, and taking the blogging blastoff classes at the same time.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Tackett September 15, 2020 at 8:20 PM

      I’m so glad it helped, Pamela! You sound like someone who is working hard, it’s ok to give yourself some grace on those weeks when everything seems scattered. Take care!

      Reply

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