The Art of Being

Most of us are aware of the benefits of rest, particularly in terms of getting enough sleep at night to recharge.

It is accepted that getting enough sleep allows our bodies to re-energize and recover and is essential to all of our systems operating optimally during the time that we spend awake and active.

See this great article which outlines 12 Amazing Benefits and the Importance of Rest and Sleep.

What I would like to consider today is additional time we spend resting and relaxing (over and above a good night’s sleep), especially during times when our wellbeing is challenged due to injury or crisis but also just as something which can deeply enrich our lives on a daily basis.

For me personally, this is still a challenge. I am a self-driven person who enjoys being active and engaging fully in life. Working hard has been engrained in me and valued as a way to achieve goals in life. Carving out time for rest and relaxation has not come easily to me. I want to squeeze as much productivity out of my day and get things done! Surely that is living life to the fullest?

I’m not sure exactly when the indoctrination of ‘busy’ crept into my world because I distinctly remember a childhood where play was celebrated, time relaxing and enjoying the outdoors was encouraged and spending time doing non-active things, such as reading, arts and craft was fostered.

The truth is, somewhere along the journey of life false beliefs of not being enough and being unworthy crept in. I think we live in a culture and society which instils this in most of us in some way. I know I became ‘busy’ trying to prove to myself and everyone else that I was enough and worthy. Often just as a way to survive and get by. Is it any surprise though, that while striving and pushing myself toward perfection, I hurt myself, over and over again? That a lot of us do so?

Health and wellbeing have always been important to me. I enjoy eating well and moving my body because it makes me feel good and gives me the energy I need to experience life fully.

However, even given my best efforts to seek a healthy way of living, I became so busy being everything to everybody and self-sacrificing, that I undid all the good a healthy diet and active lifestyle did and over time my adrenals became depleted. By my early thirties I was exhausted and found it difficult to recover from daily stress. I was burnt out from trying so hard to seek the ever elusive work/life balance I so desperately desired. I also had unresolved childhood trauma which fueled those false beliefs that kept me on the hamster wheel.

I came to realise that I had to address my issues urgently and make changes and that those changes were up to me!

It was time for radical responsibility.

My first port of call was to learn to say no more often and create boundaries around my availability, particularly to things outside my own direct responsibility.

Community is vitally important to me. Being of service is tied in to my desire to be connected to myself, others and the planet.

Despite the purest of intentions, I came to see that being helpful at the expense of my own energy affected my ability to nurture myself and my immediate family and that this does not serve me or my community. I needed to set a better example and get better at filling my own cup first and learn to give to others from the overflow.

So, I had to reign in my tendency to volunteer my precious time and energy at my own expense. This was not easy as I loved to help!

I got better at it with practice. There was no excuses given – simply saying no and not being available was enough. I was recognizing that I was deeply worthy of my own precious time.

As I created time and space, I began to create rituals for myself that centred around what brought me joy. This was so empowering. I began re-connecting with myself, gave myself grace and truly learned to engage in self-care from a place of self-love and acceptance.

This was a subtle, yet powerful shift.

My self-love rituals were mostly based in solitude and often involved rest and relaxation.

Stillness became precious. Creating a mindful, written gratitude practice. Gently moving my body, particularly doing yoga and walking in nature with more awareness. I began a love affair with aromatherapy and essential oils. Art and craft returned to my life again.

Essentially, harnessing the ability and art of ‘being’, is what has assisted me in my recovery from adrenal fatigue and injury. Re-learning the art of resting. Prioritising slowing down and taking time for relaxation. Literally, taking time to smell the flowers and appreciate the simple things in life.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary rest is defined as:
“To stop doing a particular activity or stop being active for a period of time in order to relax and get back your strength.”

I love this definition as it reminds us that the aim of rest/relaxation is to return to a place of strength. That resting allows for that. That it is necessary.

My belief is that it is just as necessary as getting 8 hours of sleep at night.

For me, the art of being has become a precious, exquisite practice that I engage in moment to moment, day by day. I have grown just as passionate about adding this to my wellbeing toolkit as I am about eating a wholefood diet.

A precious friend of mine once reminded me that on days when there is a lot on, to remember to create pockets of time for being throughout the day to keep things from feeling hectic. I appreciated this.

For example, the simple act of grabbing a cup of tea and sitting outside in the sunshine with it and savouring it’s warmth, flavours and smells can be totally rejuvenating. Breathing deeply, closing my eyes and taking absolute pleasure in soaking in the warmth of the sun. Just totally being for a few moments. Focusing simply on resting there, in appreciation.

As simple as this example seems, it can be a moment that re-energizes you to get on with whatever you need to do next.

Truly taking a break. Creating space. Taking time for yourself.

Why am I even sharing this with you?

I do not know what you are dealing with specifically. It would be disrespectful of me to assume to know. It is likely though, that if you have found your way here, you are navigating a health challenge of some kind and it is bringing you to a crossroads. Or you are looking for deeper contentment in life. That you are recognizing that change is necessary in your life in order for you to return to better health, achieve a more vital state of wellbeing or just a more satisfying life.

All I know is, that acknowledging your own need for rest is vital. Resting when we are unwell and recovering from injury, surgery or disease is a no brainer. Often, we are not given a choice. Our bodies require it in order to keep functioning. We are stopped in our tracks and cannot do anything but rest to begin with. Yet even when we are generally well, rest and relaxation can help us to tune to our own needs and honour them more fully.

Certainly for me this has been the case. As. I kept pushing through all the signs my body was giving me and failed to truly listen, I eventually hit a wall. My legs literally stopped working for me. A Bakers Cyst, fractures and massive damage to my right knee meant I could no longer walk. This occurred even after I was on my path to reclaim my wellbeing, after a time of massive stress for myself and my family. I was forced to pay attention.

Your journey is unique to you and you will have your own requirements to rest in order to begin your own healing journey.

Almost five years after I sought help and support, I am still navigating a return to wellbeing.

It is now my first and foremost priority in life.

My journey has been one of transformation even as I still face challenges.

Now, rest has become a dear friend and constant companion. Some days I have to take lots of time sitting in the sunshine or observing the rain and I am truly glad for it.

I listen closely to my precious vessel and I take life much more slowly. I have come to absolutely adore that and to recognize that my quality of life has improved as a result

Walking is still not something I can do freely and easily for any length of time. For someone who enjoyed walking outdoors daily for most of my life, this is still disheartening.

Yet I choose not to linger in the disappointment but rather reframe it as an opportunity.

When I do walk for short periods of time, I do so slowly and mindfully. Every precious moment is tenderly appreciated. I see and experience everything more fully. All the little miracles that nature provides leave me in awe and wonder. They’ve always done so but these days, I appreciate them even more. Often, I will just sit and observe. Breathe and notice. Enjoy it all with all of my senses and it is magical!

There is also the joy of moving in other ways. Particularly in water! Swimming has been another way that I’ve enjoyed being active throughout my life and now I get to do so at home and out in the community during the colder months. Working my way from gentle hydrotherapy back to swimming laps has been a great way to stay strong and active. The water is also such a great place to rest and relax. An added bonus is the time I get to spend with my family doing so together.

It is such a gift to master, ‘The Art of Being!’

By giving myself permission to simply be, I have come to love and enjoy life more.

I am grateful for all the exquisite ways I get to enjoy being alive! Every moment is precious. To know that I can exist in ease, without striving or pushing because now I understand that just being is enough.

As I’ve given myself permission to live from this new paradigm, it has allowed me to share from a place of vulnerability and authenticity.

People seem to be drawn to my gift of presence and calm. I make quality time for others and am unhurried. It is a gift that I love to share including with my loved ones.

Knowing that I can be a circuit breaker, ending generational trauma and showing others that there is a different way is an honour and a privilege.

My hope is that my family, friends and community will be positively impacted by my journey. That they (and maybe even you), too, will be inspired to recognize that rest and relaxation are not a luxury, but a necessity and a way to deeply enrich our everyday lives.

To your wellbeing always,
Katrin