I’m an extremely active person who thrives on constant movement and training, so when my doctor told me to stay away from physical activity for six weeks after suffering a minor injury, I felt like it would completely shut me down. Physical activity is such a huge part of my physical and (especially) mental health and wellness, so for me, being on the “disabled list” for the foreseeable future was very frustrating. Instead of sulking about it, I decided to use this “downtime” to reflect and reset. I’ve been pushing my body pretty hard this summer, so maybe this was its way of telling me to relax and let it repair. I began to realize that while focusing so much on my body, I neglected to give my mind the attention it needed.
So instead of wallowing in my sorrows, I am using this time to refocus. I am retraining myself to be more present and express more gratitude and love. I am actually happy that I have this time. It is obvious that I needed it. I am taking full advantage and cannot wait to see where I am at the end of this downtime.
I have been in your shoes. This year, I have really been focusing on my health. I have been hitting it hard. My body wasn’t used to it when I first started, so I had some injuries that needed rest. It was frustrating. I finally started my healthier lifestyle then had to take a step back.
I decided to use the time away to read more. I read some books that I had purchased and began reading but never finished. It was a great mental workout for me. After about 4 weeks I was able to get back to it. I now know what it feels like so I can take a step back sooner so that I don’t have to miss an extended period of time.
Good luck during your break and let us know what you are doing to pass the time.
Yep, sounds like we have been down the same road. Thank you for the insight, Chris. I have been listening to a lot of “books on tape” during my walks. Thanks for sharing…and for reading!