The time will come when winter will ask you what you were doing all summer.
~Henry Clay
I’m so tired.
There’s nothing so exhausting as a good vacation.
We took a four day weekend; our first four days off in a row since last Christmas. We scheduled ourselves a long Memorial Day, but had a last minute houseguest. Our visitor was low maintenance, but even an easy houseguest during an anticipated vacation is like getting to the front of the bathroom line, then holding it.
I knew I was tired, but I thought it was like Rhode Island fatigue… or maybe Maryland.
Not Texas.
It’s been difficult lately, shutting my mind off. My body is exhausted and begging for rest, but my brain just keeps on bouncing, belligerent. I employ a multitude of methods, but every tactic is only an umbrella in a brainstorm.
I start to count backward from a hundred, but before my tally nicks ninety, I find myself pondering my yesterdays and tomorrows.
This has been routine:
Frenzy through the day until my body is no longer willing, and then lie helpless as my mind is mocking me with a million memories and estimations.
“Honey,” Daisy’s been repeating, “You need to come up for air.”
Of course she’s right.
Starting Friday, and moving all the way to Monday, I slept.
Sleeping in + afternoon naps + going to bed early
x four days
= I’m still tired
But I’m no longer exhausted, and I had the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever had without passing city limits.
The weekend was sprinkled with small indulgences; the kind that are rarely around when we’re trying to pull the best from our children, but abundant just before our family seasons are about to change.
Daisy and I ambled through long, lingering conversations; unbuttoned words born from rest rather than the ashes of fatigue.
Horizons were mapped and conclusions agreed on.
I’m still tired, but with an eager mind and undaunted soul. After four days of relative serenity, I know exactly what I want from the last third of this year.
Writer Dad
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If you liked this post, you’ll probably love, “Sink or Swim,” “Torturing Tranquility Like a Treasonous Prisoner,” or “Leaving Our Shell Behind.”
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BloggerDad 09.01.08 at 10:12 pm
It’s good to get rest. As you stated, not only does it refresh the body, but also the mind and soul. I know what you mean about being unable to shut off your mind. I have that problem, too, which adds to my insomnia. Good to see you were still able to post tonight, even though you likely wanted to hit the sheets.
BloggerDads last blog post..Psychotic Toddler Syndrome
Melissa Donovan 09.02.08 at 12:05 am
I know this all too well:
“Frenzy through the day until my body is no longer willing, and then lie helpless as my mind is mocking me with a million memories and estimations.”
…and you’ve put it quite eloquently. I had a busy labor day weekend, mostly spent laboring over my work, but I think I’m going to block out some time next weekend to ponder what I want from the last quarter of the year. Thanks for inspiring me to do that!
Dave Fowler 09.02.08 at 4:34 am
Writer Dad,
It’s a feeling I know very well. I feel like that myself right now. Last night I was woken every 2 hours(ish) by one of the children. It’s been the norm for the last 7 years. It’s getting better now but I’ll be glad when they all sleep through the night.
On top of missing out on sleep I’ve managed to catch a cold. So I’m feeling crappy.
Bah!
steph 09.02.08 at 7:44 am
‘Holy crap, you have a way with words: “but every tactic is only an umbrella in a brainstorm.” Love it!
I understand what you’re talking about. Totally. I get that kind of exhausted, that kind of brainweary. And I’m very happy that you’re up for more! It’s true you have to rest, for so many reasons, but there is also nothing wrong, in my mind, with going whole hog when you feel like it!
stephs last blog post..Letting Go
Sal 09.02.08 at 8:07 am
Rest is a good thing. I wish I could have been there. I also wish I could have been a fly on the wall when you and Daisy were discussing future endeavours. I wish we could transfer brains for a day or so.
I know what you mean when you said your umbrella in a brainstorm has been a bit lacking…a lot of good an umbrella does in a mind flood. I woke up this morning at 2:00 and the tidal waves kept crashing, it wasn’t until my brain lost power that it finally was forced to shut down. Now all I have to deal with is walking around in murky water trying to figure out what is still salvagable.
Sals last blog post..Action vs. Reaction
Half Man/Half Coach 09.02.08 at 8:34 am
Another great article! Keep them coming.
Vered 09.02.08 at 9:11 am
Staycations are great.
Glad you know what you want. I wish I could say the same.
Vereds last blog post..Will You Tell Me A Little Bit About Yourself?
Writer Dad 09.02.08 at 9:21 am
Blogger Dad: I still hit the sheets pretty early, and had a great night’s sleep. I have to, it’s back to work today and I never know if I’m going to have to deal with PTS.
Melissa: You are very welcome. I’m glad I could.
Dave: I caught that cold too! Grrr.
Steph: I like to rest, but I love jumping on the whole hog and wrestling him to the mud.
Sal: It’s nice when it finally quits on you, right. Even if it takes all night.
Half Man/Half Coach: It’ll be my pleasure.
Vered: Thanks for the new word. I’ve never heard it before, and I love it. Staycations…. I’m saying it out loud. It’s truly grand.
SpaceAgeSage 09.02.08 at 9:43 am
You write: “Daisy and I ambled through long, lingering conversations; unbuttoned words born from rest rather than the ashes of fatigue”
That is an awesome way to express those moments. It is the best place my husband and I like to go.
I highly recommend this book to find the full body and mind restfulness a writer like you will enjoy: “The Artist’s Way at Work: Riding the Dragon.” I have found the writing exercises creating inner energy and peace amid the chaos of my life.
SpaceAgeSages last blog post..Having more experience doesn’t equal wisdom
Lance 09.02.08 at 10:27 am
Rest, it can be a wonderful thing for the body and the mind. We all need this once in a while. Though you are still tired, I’m guessing you’re also feeling refreshed - refreshed with a plan for the rest of the year. May it all turn out like you desire!
Lances last blog post..Stimulate Creativity
Hayden Tompkins 09.02.08 at 10:45 am
That’s why I am a huge fan of the hotel. HUGE fan.
Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..How to Survive A Hurricane: Insiders Tips
Chris 09.02.08 at 11:07 am
Amen…
steph 09.02.08 at 12:50 pm
PS. I couldn’t hold off any longer. You’re voted for. I almost went and copied and pasted examples like the one I quoted earlier and the unbuttoned sentence, but then I realized you have so much more of those examples, which of course is saying volumes right there.
stephs last blog post..Letting Go
Wendi Kelly 09.02.08 at 1:10 pm
Very lovely, velvety words to sum up what we all have felt. I wanted to slip back under the covers and light a fire in the fireplace.
That rush of creativity that you have been going through for the last six weeks is a very heady thing. Quite the high.
It is a hard hard thing to remember that nasty part of the equation that what goes up….must come down..wasn’t there a very cheesy song written about it?
Still true never-the-less.
I’ve yet to meet a true artist that has that balance thing mastered but to the extent that we can, rest is SO vital….
great reminder….thanks!
Wendi Kellys last blog post..Collecting Words of Wisdom
Writer Dad 09.02.08 at 3:24 pm
Space Age Sage: We actually have that book. Well, Daisy does. I’ve just seen it on the shelf. Looks like I should open it.
Lance: Tired, yes. Refreshed, absolutely.
Hayden: I’d settle for a weekend in a Motel 6.
Chris: Brother.
Dereck Coatney 09.02.08 at 3:35 pm
Love it. Kind of reminds me of: “Please Sir, may I have another!?”
Ellen Wilson 09.02.08 at 4:30 pm
Sometimes I just unplug. This helps me to defrag. Then I sit in the swing with a book. Then I put the book on my chest and dream.
I will do this until it’s too cold.
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..The Disappearing Barns of the Midwest
Amy Derby 09.02.08 at 4:36 pm
I’m glad you’re just tired now and not exhausted any more. (I know the feeling, except without the kidlets.)
Amy Derbys last blog post..Corporate Jungle: Communication Survival Kit
Writer Dad 09.02.08 at 5:08 pm
Dereck: I felt like saying, “Please Sir, may I have another nap.”
Ellen: That was absolutely beautiful.
Amy: The kidlets laugh at tired.
Bamboo Forest 09.02.08 at 5:49 pm
“I’m still tired, but with an eager mind and undaunted soul.”
Ah, what a great way to continue being tired.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Sounds That Make You Want to Gouge Your Eyes Out
Linda Abbit 09.02.08 at 7:28 pm
WD,
Try doing yoga (yeah right, in your spare time LOL). If you can find time, it is a wonderful way to learn to relax body and mind.
Glad you are feeling a little refreshed, and are clear on your goals for the rest of the year. I’m not too good at longer term goal setting myself. I tend to live one week at a time these days.
Sara at On Simplicity 09.02.08 at 7:55 pm
One of my favorite things that you’ve written. We (the collective we and the me-and-husband we) do too much communicating on fumes. By the end of the day, our thoughts are shells of what they could be, bullet points instead of prose.
My partner has the sleeping thing down; I just need to catch up with the slowing down…
Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..The Reality Behind the Wedding of Your Dreams
Writer Dad 09.02.08 at 8:10 pm
Linda: I would love to do yoga. Seriously. Remind me in January.
Sara: Thank you. I loved, “bullet points instead of prose.” I so relate. Thank you.
Michael Martine, Blog Consultant 09.02.08 at 10:32 pm
After all the commenting you’ve done on my blog and elsewhere, you’ve finally drawn me in and won me over (which is exactly how it’s supposed to work).
Subscribed, and thanks.
Luis Gross 09.02.08 at 10:37 pm
WriterDad,
Ugh, tell me about it.
I seem to reek with exhaustion, and I’m only 19. I have a very awkward sleep pattern—I sleep whenever I want—which is probably why.
See, I always oversleep and get way too much rest; I read somewhere that makes you feel even more tired — go figure.
I don’t know, but it pretty much sucks sleeping all day, to then wake up and feel like you want to go right back to bed.
I need a day job — : )
Luis Grosss last blog post..6 Quick Tips To Get Ahead Of Your Posting Schedule
Barbara Swafford 09.03.08 at 12:11 am
Hi Writer Dad,
It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Your time off, gave you just that, time off. Most times rest is the answer to the other problems that haunt us.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Charity Starts At Home
MizFit 09.03.08 at 10:07 am
rest. relaxation. SO THE ANSWER.
now, if only the question, for me, werent what do I need more of?!
Miz.
MizFits last blog post..Viewer Mail (warning. long post ahead. please to grab a protein-rich snack/some water.)
Writer Dad 09.03.08 at 11:00 am
Michael Martine: Thank you. I am very glad you’re here.
Luis: My goodness, I wish I had your trials.
Barbara: That is so true. I don’t believe I have a single problem that couldn’t be solved with rest or dollars.
MizFit: It’s the question and the answer.
Brandi Magill 09.04.08 at 11:01 am
I haven’t heard of the “Rhode Island fatigue” before. I live in RI, I should know these things:~) However I do know the need for a vacation all too well and after this summer I even know the need for a vacation after a vacation too! Great post, I will have to send a thank you to Lance for sending me over!
Writer Dad 09.04.08 at 11:56 am
Brandi: I am happy to have you. Welcome.