How was the break? Did you get to unwind and rest? Are the batteries recharged?
It seems like the flu and various other bugs have infiltrated many homes.
I somehow managed to avoid illness, which feels like a bit of a fluke if I’m honest. I didn’t exactly mind myself over December. And Ciara had a really nasty dose after Christmas.
My Garmin app tells me I only had 100% ‘Body Battery’ twice in the past 4 weeks. I didn’t exercise much, so I probably didn’t need to be 100% charged each day. But that’s not the point – it’s usually 100% after a good sleep.
So what got in the way?
Having observed my Garmin sleep, HRV and Body Battery data for long enough now, I know what was at play.
- Alcohol – the undeniable negative impact it has on my physical wellbeing, mainly by impeding the quality of my sleep. Looking back over the year, I ran my battery down during holidays…wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?! Ridiculous!
- Lurking bugs – even when alcohol wasn’t consumed over the past month, my body was fighting various bugs, quite successfully it seems. I guess I’ve used up a lot of credits!
Other things that may have drained my ‘body’ battery which were slightly more wholesome, so they probably filled up other batteries in ways the Garmin doesn’t measure.
A night hike to support a friend to raise funds for a worthy cause, cooking at Christmas for 26 people, and the usual parenting stuff. These kinds of things fill the soul’s battery.
The time from 27th until Thursday 2nd was somewhat restful. Not as planned. I had planned some full blown ‘me time’, guilt free. That’s when I tune into my needs and plan for the year ahead. When I get that clarity around my own agenda, I feel better placed to serve everyone else in my life.
The flu and a family funeral channeled my energies and efforts to others’ needs, but not at the expense of my own if I am being honest. There was no martyrdom at play, I enjoyed the role I played.
The change of scenery, change of pace and change of activity all helped freshen things up in different ways.
What this Christmas period reminded me of however, is that our best laid plans can come undone pretty quickly.
As with everything in life these days, it’s great to have plans but I am reminded to hold them loosely.
I’m really looking forward to planning my 2025 in more detail over the next week or two. I find it fulfilling and motivating to clarify how I choose to live my life. Because we never know what’s around the corner.
Whatever about the flu or low body batteries, others close to me have had far tougher times. Two friends and my own mum (as mentioned) have been dealing with the loss of loved ones. May they all Rest in Peace.