The past week has been a little bit rough - despite all the good that happened,
I’ve been feeling down mentally and as the result
became quite ill physically as well.
Taking a couple of days to recover was just what I needed
despite my anxieties telling me to push through it
and ignore all the signs that told my body to rest.
I think that’s one of the biggest misconceptions about slow living
or living off grid in the countryside
some might think this type of life is always relaxed
as we do nothing but run through fields and watch sunsets.
That’s not quite true
as, being human, we all experience the similar worries and similar type of issues
that sometimes make us lose ground underneath our feet.
There is still a great deal of anxiety, desire to succeed,
to make dreams come true, regardless of the type of living you choose.
And sometimes, when you give in to the rhythm of anxiety,
it may carry you to burnout, mental and physical
when you start chasing those dreams without any regard
to your present needs in the current reality.
I am usually pretty good when it comes to listening to my body.
Going to work ill never worked for me, as when my body needs healing,
my mind needs healing too.
In fact they’re always interconnected.
I do believe we can make ourselves ill unintentionally,
when our minds are too much under stress.
And while stress can’t be avoided - no matter how many wonderful sunsets you see,
or how poetic the birdsong sounds outside your window -
we can do little things to take care of ourselves.
These things are different for all of us really.
Some might find refuge in socialising, in forgetting yourself in a good conversation
or perhaps reading a thrilling sort of book.
Some might find it in the work they truly love
or in hobbies that fill up their heart.
I find it in spending quiet time alone, walking through the valleys and fields.
or maybe cities or towns even, where there are people
but I am still left to my own devices.
The air smells so strongly of wildflowers these days, so fragrant and otherworldly.
Being quiet and alone in nature is the only thing that helps me find a balance,
and I sometimes may have you join me,
if you promise to stay quiet and observant of the nature as well.
Being alone recharges me so much and even gives a new sense of adventure.
I stay observant and watch closely everything that happens around me.
I bring the strongly scented wildflowers home with me,
and with them bring the newfound peace.
I know that peace is not a constant, but neither are the worries.
One thought will get interchanged with another, feelings will flow and intertwine,
a moment of rest will come after all that running
Nothing is constant, neither of this is forever.
I just hope to enjoy each season as it comes, quietly.
And listen to my mind and body when they have something to tell.