Last week, I had to make a decision I didn’t like.
I canceled a training class.
I had a terrible sore throat and wasn’t feeling well, and while part of me wanted to push through and “be strong,” another part of me knew better.
I spend a lot of time teaching leaders about self-care, stress management, and listening to the signals our bodies send us. Showing up exhausted and struggling through a training would have made me a bit of a hypocrite.
So I canceled my commitments and lay low for three days.
By Friday, I felt much better. The sore throat had eased up, and I thought, Whew… I beat this thing.
Perfect timing because my two youngest grandkids, ages six and eight, were sleeping over.
And honestly? I was ready for some fun.
We took the train to Springfield and spent the day at the Dr. Seuss Museum. We climbed, explored, laughed, played, and made memories. We had lunch together and genuinely had a wonderful time.
The photos say it all.
I watched them run, play, and soak up every minute.
When I finally got home, I was absolutely exhausted.
On Sunday, I visited my mom and could barely do much besides sit. Then Monday morning, I woke up with a full-fledged cold and cough.
Apparently, that virus had not gotten the memo that I had other plans!
As it turns out, I wasn’t fully recovered.
I had simply paused long enough to feel better… but not long enough to heal.
And isn’t that the way with so many of us?
We rest just long enough to feel guilty. Too much rest doesn’t feel good.
We permit ourselves to pause—but only briefly—then jump back into life.
Leaders do this.
Parents do this.
Helpers do this.
High achievers especially do this.
We convince ourselves that if we can function, we must be fine.
But our bodies tell a different story.
Sometimes self-care isn’t a bubble bath, a massage, or a day off.
Sometimes, self-care is disappointing yourself and others.
Canceling plans.
Resting one more day.
Leaving some fun off the schedule today so you can fully enjoy your life tomorrow
I’m better now, but I’m not going to forget this lesson.
Have you ever returned too quickly and paid for it later?
Be well,
Maureen
P.S. I help leaders understand stress, communication, and personality patterns through leadership development and Everything DiSC programs. Sometimes the hardest person to read is ourselves.
