What Matters Most?

And a meditation to help you decide.

Hello there, 

I hope you are enjoying the summer and taking time to rest.

I have heard a lot of people complain of being tired lately. Drowsy. Physically spent from activity. Emotionally overwhelmed. Yawning. Not getting enough sleep.

On a Zoom yoga class this week, I noticed that more people than not were really flagging. So I asked why everyone was so tired. Here are some of the responses:

• “I’m stressed!”

• “Events in the news are deeply concerning and feel exhausting.”

• “The heat is making me tired.”

• “Being in pain makes getting a good rest difficult.”

• “Had an extra busy week.”

• “I have a lot on my mind and can’t get to sleep lately.”

• “Having trouble sleeping.” (Shall I do another sleep post?)

• “Jet lag.”

Being tired could also be from staying out late at an event, having a new baby, having an illness, or staying up too late binging TV shows.

As for me, I have a habit of staying up too late to read. Last night it was this compelling and beautiful book that I “accidentally” read in one sitting.

As we all know, it’s no fun to be tired. Besides, the better rested we are, the more thoughtfully considered our decisions, choices, and actions can be, and the more present we can be for the things that matter. If we are burned out and exhausted, not only is life less enjoyable, but it also feels more effortful. 

If you are tired, and can’t seem to get untired, I have a suggestion that might be helpful. Do your best to cut back to the essentials. Simplify. Are there tasks or events you can say no to? Can you offload some tasks? Can you shut off the TV or close the book and prioritize sleep? Can you carve out some time for yourself to regroup?

This week’s meditation has some ideas to help with that. I hope you find ten minutes to listen and if you’re tired and fall asleep, why that’s okay too.