Hey Folks!
Can you believe that we are experiencing another Monday?!
Can you also believe that we are experiencing the end of June already?!
Doesn’t it feel like it was just yesterday when we were welcoming in the new year watching the ball from Times Square to signify the start of 2021?!
Anyhoo, in case you needed to know, the date is Monday, June 21st and we are in fact almost halfway through the year of 2021.
That means that we will be experiencing the holidays of July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas like tomorrow.
Are you ready?
Because I’m certainly not.
Well, enough backstory.
Let’s get to this week’s blog post.
For anyone who has followed me on social media, is friends with me, or has experienced me in person throughout the years knows that I am someone who is on the go, go, GO!
Don’t believe me?!
Call my cell phone and listen to my voicemail because I literally say “go, go, go” in my greeting to you if I don’t answer.
I’ve always been the person with the planner JAM PACKED full with anything and everything.
And if you don’t believe me about that…just ask me to give you the visual the next time you see me because my planner is no joke.
It is even color coded.
BELIEVE IT.
It’s like the Bible for what we will call Mr. Sunshine’s morning life, afternoon life, evening life, and social life.
And along with this color-coded, jam packed calendar comes the fact that I dip my feet into a lot of different activities.
A full-time Account Manager working 40 hours per week, a part-time customer service auditor working between 10-12 hours a week, a stage manager responsible for multiple elements of an award-winning play, seeing a personal trainer twice a week, running between 3-4 miles everyday trying to raise $20,000 for a local charity…and the list goes on an on.
So I won’t continue to bore you with that.
So, what’s this all to say?
Well, before we get to that point, it’s time to take a coffee break and refill your cup if you haven’t already done so.
All set?
Great.
Let’s continue on.
Oh, and don’t forget the cream and sugar!
The topic of mental health is one that I have never really dived into personally or talked about that much in my years on this Earth; however, it is one topic that has started to become a forefront discussion for many individuals in this world (including me), especially since 2020 where we were forced to live in isolation due to a global pandemic.
And this past week, for the first time in a long time, I felt like the walls were closing in on me.
My body was screaming at me telling me I was doing too much and that it needed a break.
So, you know what?
I listened to it.
Something that I’m not always great at.
Something that I’m constantly always trying to evolve and improve upon.
I took some much-needed PTO from my full-time job, relaxed and gave myself a “brain break” from work and other obligations, and actually took a nap to rest my body—something that I haven’t done for months.
Speaking of naps, can we just talk about how GLORIOUS they are? Even if they are just for a short 20 minutes.
Absolutely glorious.
You should try it.
Do people think I’m crazy for doing so much in my life?
Yes, they do.
Do I think that I’m crazy for doing so much in my life sometimes?
Yes, I do.
But the difference is that the many hats I wear in my life are all ones that make me feel fulfilled and bring overflowing joy to my soul that I work hard to share with others.
And while it might mean that I don’t get to see some friends for an extended period of time or get to hit up the bars for that refreshing, adult cocktail, it does mean that those moments when they happen for me are even more special and thrilling.
Will I ever change or become someone who can’t be on the go, go, GO?
That is up for debate.
Actually, it is the million dollar question.
Would you believe that I’m thinking about adding another hat to the mix?
Don’t believe me, ask the dishes!
Sorry—I had to throw in some type of Disney reference.
But until that day when the question can be answered–and maybe it never will be–I implore each and everyone of you to listen to your body.
Learn from my mistakes of not always hearing it when it is screaming for that moment to slow down and rest.
And don’t forget that mental health NEEDS to be talked about.
It is not something that we should be ashamed of or feel guilty about.
It is a very real feeling in a very real world that needs some very real attention.
Until next week friends.
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 