Yesterday I had a minor procedure done at my doctors office. I scheduled it two weeks ahead of time. At first I was a little anxious. Then as the day grew closer, I started to look forward to a day of nothing. The day before my procedure, I said those words out loud and had an ah-ha moment. Why do I need to be sick or laid up to have a restful day? My day off was voluntary. Like I previously said, this was minor, but in knowing that, I made the decision to gift this day off to myself.

When I got home from my procedure, I laid down on the couch under the covers with the remote, my water bottle, and a folding table stacked high with all the things I could possibly want to do if I so chose to. Truth be told, I didn’t do much of anything. I napped, watched some movies, and did a little bit of writing. My hubby took good care of me. He drove me to and from my appointment. He made a delicious dinner and got me my favorite dairy free Ben & Jerry’s flavor.

Today, the day following, I scheduled my day with great thought and intentionality. I set my alarm for a half hour later than normal, I moved slowly through my morning chores and routine, feeling no need to watch the time or rush. I chose a shorter walk with my dog in order to save my energy and time for all the other dogs on my schedule for the day. I did a load of laundry, rescheduled an appointment for two of my boys, made a yummy breakfast, meal planned and made a grocery list-checking through the cabinets and the fridge so as to not over-shop. All of this felt so good. And as I walked all the other dogs today, I appreciated the crisp air and moved my body slowly-not because I had to, but because I chose to.

So often, I find myself overscheduled and rushed, thinking I can do one more thing when in reality I shouldn’t. I know some of you reading this right now know what I’m talking about. You also rush from task to task, from place to place, overwhelmed, frazzled, wondering how you are going to get it all done, beating yourself down because you are going to be late or miss something important. I see you. And today I want to tell you, and myself, that we don’t have to do it all. It’s ok. It’s ok to slow down. Some days there are deadlines and I get that. Respect those deadlines and get that stuff done, but please do yourself a favor and give something else up in the process. That laundry can wait until tomorrow. Nobody wants to see you rage clean because it’s so important to you to get that bathroom and kitchen pristine. Make the time, put on some music, light a candle, and do what you’ve set out to do and do it well. Please stop squeezing things into spaces that don’t exist (preaching to myself). It will feel good, so good. You will be able to breathe, relax, and enjoy. Although I grocery shopped this evening, which is not my preference, I didn’t have to squeeze or rush. There was so much freedom in that.

God created the world in six days and on the seventh day, he rested. If God can rest my dear friends, so can you.