Peace and Quiet

I used to think it was silly that my grandmother (whom we lovingly called Memaw) used to ask for "peace and quiet" every single Christmas when we'd ask what we or Santa could get her for a gift. It wasn't until well into my thirties that I actually understood, and appreciated what she meant. Now, let me say, I don't have children of my own, so maybe the people who can appreciate a little quiet time more than I are the parents with young children who love to test people's eardrums!

Being more of an introvert myself, I feel it is absolutely necessary for me to have quiet time because it's how I recharge my social and emotional battery, as well as reconnect with myself. I get overwhelmed by noises easily and find it difficult to think when I'm being bombarded by loud and multiple sounds. I actually hate going to bars where there's live music (not because I don't love live music, I do!) but it's because you're expected to have conversations with people while you're there, and I either can't hear you or find myself screaming because I think you can't hear me. Ugh- I'm 36 but my soul is 80!

Don't get me wrong, I love social gatherings and connecting with family and friends. I just need it to be in a space where we can hear each other and not compete with the surrounding sounds. I value peace and quiet after almost every social obligation. When I get home from work, I need quiet me time. When I get back from a social event, I gotta hear myself think. When I wake up in the morning, don't talk to me for at least 30 minutes! Anyways, you get the point... I'm high maintenance lol. Joking aside, I think it's healthy for all of us to know what recharges our emotional battery. For me, it's having some quiet alone time to reflect, process, and relax. Maybe for you it's going for a run, being in the car by yourself, listening to your favorite music, or doing anything that brings you back to yourself.

It's so important to have something in your life that keeps you grounded and frees your body and mind from stress. Mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health are like checks and balances. When one is out of balance, I think we tend to compensate in other areas in positive or negative ways. I'll give you a personal example and something I'm constantly working on. When I'm emotionally exhausted, I love nothing more than to pass out in my bed, regardless of what time of day it is. I have mentioned that sleep and I aren't great friends and if I look at my napping habit, it's not hard to figure out why I struggle at night. It's so hard, but what I do my best to do when I feel emotionally spent and checked out is to go for a walk, read a book, or spend time cuddling with my cats. I still get to rest and not think, but at least it's something that recharges me instead of fuels the cycle of maladaptive stress.

I hope that you can find moments of peace and quiet in your day, even if it's really busy or you think you don't have time. If you need to at work, just take frequent bathroom breaks- you can be alone and take some deep breaths! Find time to reconnect and recharge yourself, you're worth the investment and if you want to be available to others, you gotta help yourself first.

Self love is the best love.