SLEEPIEST

In keeping with my sleep theme this week, there’s another form of sleep I find sinfully delicious! It’s taking a nap when I have things left on my “to do” list. That’s one of my favorites because it happens so seldom.

I suppose that like most people, I try to do more than I can in any given space of time. On the weekends there’s grass to mow and weeding to do in the warmer months. In cooler months there’s usually still mowing to do (it can be necessary almost all year here in eastern North Carolina), but there’s also painting, rearranging, and other weekend projects. Of course, all year-round things come up that must be dealt with.

I usually slog through them. Sometimes I get so consumed by determination to finish what I’ve started that I literally begin in the morning and work late into the evening. When I get going, it’s like my food switch shuts off and I don’t turn it back on until I’m finished with my tasks.

This happens much to the chagrin of my daughter, who waits patiently (sometimes not too patiently) for me to set down my hoe or park the lawn tractor in the garage before I start making dinner. I often forget that other people’s metabolism follows a different algorithm than mine.

But every once in a while when I have a chore list the size of Siberia, I declare, “I’m not going to take this anymore.” I chuck everything aside and just relax.

My relaxation takes many forms. It could be something active like kayaking or boarding in the surf. Or it can be passive, like curling up in front of a mindless movie and just laughing away a couple hours. Sometimes though, one of the ways I relax is to simply nap.

It seems like these stolen moments are among the sleepiest times for me. I can be overtaken easily.

Taking a nap when I have pressing things to do feels so decadent. I absolutely love it! I accept that whatever I planned to do will still need to be done. I may even be setting myself up for a real battle of playing “catch up.” But in that moment, I decide to play hooky.

I don’t know about you, but taking a nap when I know there are things waiting for me to do is such a freeing experience! It’s like saying, “Up yours,” to myself and feeling justified about it.

Now, I’m not advocating becoming a lazy slob who continuously shirks his responsibilities. I’m just talking about a little time out. We all need that from time to time. It rejuvenates the soul to allow yourself the freedom to choose relaxation over work.

I mean how many times do you actually get to do that? If you have a job, odds are your boss really frowns on you propping your feet up, leaning back, and taking forty winks. In fact, I’d venture to say doing that is a sure way to find yourself unemployed right quick. But, at home, you have a greater degree of freedom — unless you’re one of those people obsessed with squeezing the maximum output out of every second. That probably deserves its own post, so I’ll leave it alone for now.

Giving yourself permission to push back a task or two in pursuit of a deserved rest is a reward. It balances the driving determination which is the other side of that coin. It’s a way to be kind to yourself in a tangible way. We all need kindness and there’s nothing wrong with showering ourselves with it from time to time. We deserve it, too!

So, I’m going to sign off for now. I’ll edit this post later. Right now I think I’ll visit Mr. Sandman . . .

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