There is something I've been thinking about over the past few days.
As I sit here recovering after a couple of days in hospital with a bladder infection, I'm beginning to notice something rather frustrating.
My mind has decided I'm better.
My body hasn't quite got the memo.
Yesterday I thought I'd do "just a few little jobs." Fold some washing. Answer a couple of emails. Water a few plants.
Nothing particularly strenuous.
Within an hour I was completely exhausted.
It was my body quietly reminding me that healing doesn't happen just because we want it to.
The hospital doctor warned me that even after I came home, it would be quite a few days before I started feeling like myself again.
I heard the words.
I'm not sure I really listened.
Because like so many of us, I'm used to being busy. Busy feels productive. Busy feels useful. Rest, on the other hand, can make me feel guilty.
Maybe you know that feeling too.
We tell ourselves we should be doing something. We feel uncomfortable sitting still. We apologise for cancelling plans. We promise everyone we'll be "back to normal" as soon as possible.
But perhaps our bodies have a different timetable.
This whole experience has reminded me that healing isn't something we can rush.
Movement is important. Fresh air is important. Good food is important.
But so is rest. Real rest.
Not sitting on the couch answering emails. Not "just quickly" doing another load of washing. Not trying to catch up on everything we've missed.
Simply resting.
It's a lesson I'm still learning. Like many people, I always seem to think I'm the exception, that I can push through, that one more job won't matter.
This time, my body has been very clear.
Slow down.
I've also been thinking about what a huge job our bodies have been doing behind the scenes. Seven intravenous antibiotic infusions in hospital. Now three packs of antibiotics at home.
That's an incredible amount for any body to process. No wonder it's asking for a little patience.
One of the things I love about the Luv Your Age community is that we're all learning from one another. None of us has all the answers. We're simply doing our best to age well, to listen to our bodies, and to keep learning along the way.
Perhaps that's what healthy ageing really looks like. Not pretending we're always strong. Not pushing through at all costs. But recognising when our body is asking us to pause... and having the courage to listen.
So that's my lesson this week.
I'm learning that rest isn't laziness. It's part of healing.
And maybe... it's something many of us need to give ourselves permission to do a little more often.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever found that your mind was ready to get going long before your body was?
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