Pushing through is not the answer
…at least not always.
Here’s a snippet from the conversation between host David Harper and award-winning writer-artist Daniel Warren Johnson:
David Harper: Sometimes I think you got to accept that. I think it was Saturday where I was just like, there was something going on with me and I was just like, I just don't have it today. I could force myself to do something, but it would suck and I would just have to start over the next day. I don't want to give myself too much credit, but I was like, I am smart enough to recognise that I don't have it, and that sometimes that is a real strength you can have.
Daniel Warren Johnson: It's important. Every once in a while, I'll have drawing days like that where I have to leave the house tonight. It was a few weeks ago, I went to the Art Institute. I was like, screw this drawing thing. I'm going to go sketch in my sketchbook at the Art Institute. It's right there. It's a 45-minute train ride away. Let's just do it.
There are 2 parts of me that usually tug at me when I am dragging myself through something. One part wants to drag me to the finish line by hook or by crook, and the other part just wants to stop and not do anything. Listening to the first part means being worn out but listening to the second part often evokes much guilt.
But hearing what Harper and Johnson say gives me room for pause. What if I can honour the part that says — this is enough, at least for now…we need a break. Rather than grinding and burning out, perhaps we all could do with accepting that resting and recovering can do a world of good.
So enough with the guilt about rest, and just trust yourself and your body. Listen to the signals and if nothing is going your way, stop, drop and roll (away)!