I’m Taking some much-needed Downtime
I heard a quote a few years ago which went something along the lines of, “If you don’t take the time to care for your health, you’ll be forced to take time to care for your illness.”
I wish I could remember who said that…because they’re right.
I haven’t taken a substantial break since Christmas.
Why?
Between working, coaching, establishing and sticking to a new diet and exercise program, battling sleep apnea/poor sleep quality/not getting enough sleep, and spending most of my free time trying to make it as a full-time writer, I’ve been going non-stop for nine months.
Friday morning, I woke up feeling ok, but by 10am, I had a fever of 101.5 and was shivering like I was outside in a snowstorm…and naked.
I apologize for the horrible mental image that no doubt conjured.
No, I don’t have COVID.
I have a urinary tract infection, something that has happened roughly once a year since my accident. Why spinal cord injuries and UTI’s go hand in hand is a story for another time.
The point is, it happens commonly enough that I’m hyper-vigilant in taking as many preventative steps as I can to avoid them for as long as possible. Not only are they unpleasant, but due to frequent trips to the restroom at night (we’re talking once every 30–60 minutes), UTIs derail my life because I don’t sleep until they’re gone.
And because I don’t sleep, they take longer to go away.
Oddly enough, that break I took in December? Yeah, partly it was due to the holidays. It was also because that was the last time I had a UTI.
I’m developing a horrible pattern: going and going and going until I get sick and drop like a bag of hammers.
I don’t take time for my wellness.
So I’m forced to take time for my illness.
I still have a few days of antibiotics left. But afterwards, I’m going to take a few days to recover from recovering. As difficult as I know it will be, I’m going to…take a few days off.
Aw man, it hurts to even type that. But I need to do it.
So, my plan is to take the rest of this week off to rest and recharge.
Unfortunately, that means no new stories until next week.
In the interim, however, allow me to sheepishly point you to my Medium archive which has over 100 stories. Have you read them all?
Unless you’re my mom, I’m betting the answer is “no.”
And if you are my mom, hi Mom! Yes, I’m feeling better, just really tired and in need of some sleep.
So until next week, please stay safe, stay healthy, and take some downtime to care for your won wellness.
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