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Offline

I have been a bit quiet of late.

On here, at home, in life.

There is nothing wrong, not really.  Just sometimes, being around people, online and offline, can feel a bit exhausting.

Recently, I’ve taken some time back for myself.

I have been here before you see; but not understanding myself or my body well enough then was partly responsible for some of the more drastic decisions I have made in my life.  Feeling stifled in a job, a friendship, or a relationship is not really reason enough to up roots and escape to the other side of the world.  Although, I certainly do not regret that time, now that I am a married mother in my (early) forties, I thought I should learn to recognise the signs of impending social burnout and manage it like a grown-up.

I think I come across as quite a sociable person and for the most part, I suppose that I am.  I do genuinely enjoy the company of family and friends, but I work very hard to appear as chatty and outgoing as people often perceive me to be, and I need time to recharge in between.

A few consecutive days of being ‘on’ can easily drain me.  This year, it feels I have been ‘on’ a lot.  It could stem from my resolution at the beginning of this year to raise my game, meaning I pushed myself to try harder at everything and with everyone.  Working from home and the loneliness this brings, means I probably packed our diary too full with people, parties and playdates.

Eventually, the commitments I made started to feel overwhelming and the familiar brain fog started to set in, which is not helped by my autoimmune condition.

I started to feel tired all of the time, my body ached and my mind felt fuzzy.

Too much of a good thing is bad for me.

I needed to balance all of the social busyness with some peace and solitude.

So, that is what I have been doing.  If you are wondering where I have been, I have been sleeping.

I closed my diary, switched off the computer and enjoyed a few weeks of early nights, camomile tea and walks outdoors.

I took care of outstanding house admin, saw my doctor about my awful skin, and read to my son.

I didn’t plan to take the time, but I definitely needed it, and now it feels really good to be back.

*****

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19 Comments

  1. November 13, 2014 / 3:01 PM

    Reading this, I am left feeling almost jealous (probably too strong a word!) that you managed to do it. I have outstanding admin, books to read and lots of sleep to catch up on. There just always seems to be something else to do or someone else to see. I think, like you’ve acknowledged, sometimes you just have to say enough is enough. Well done you. Glad to hear that you’re feeling more on top of things 🙂

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 13, 2014 / 3:11 PM

      Ha! Still a long way to go to feeling completely on top of things but I have a clear head now and you can underestimate how powerful that is 🙂

  2. Kayleigh
    November 13, 2014 / 3:22 PM

    I often feel like I’m a “donkey on the edge” (casual Shrek reference there) so need to just ignore everyone. It isn’t easy with two small children, but my husband is great at telling me to just go and have a coffee. Burn-out is a real issue, even if you don’t have health issues going on too. It’s taken me a long time, but I finally realise when i’m on the edge, and, more importantly, feel able to tell my husband I am, just so I can take some time out.

  3. November 13, 2014 / 4:46 PM

    Welcome back, you were missed. I can completely relate to what you wrote and I can feel my need of solitude is approaching but fear it will need to wait until the New Year. I will instead steal a day here and a day there to switch off and try and catch up on sleep and alone time xxx

  4. November 14, 2014 / 7:14 AM

    Welcome back! I kmow what you mean about going offline for a bit and re charing your batteries, good in you for doing just that. (But I did miss you the other night) x

  5. November 14, 2014 / 1:26 PM

    Oh lovely, sending you much love and big hugs. I hope you’re beginning to feel “better” if that’s the right word. Miss you at the moment, but look forward to catching up very soon 🙂 xx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 25, 2014 / 9:27 AM

      All good my love, just a reset and recharge moment x

  6. November 14, 2014 / 6:48 PM

    Good for you taking some time out and looking after yourself well. Down time is so important and when you are feeling totally drained you have to put yourself first, and anyway, it’s good not to live on the computer the whole time. Sleep rocks. X

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 25, 2014 / 9:27 AM

      I crave sleep more than wine and crisps these days! When did this happen to me??!!

  7. November 14, 2014 / 9:37 PM

    What an intelligent decision. It’s good to know you are ok. I did the same over the summer and have never come back on line like I was because I found a new preferable footing and hope you have too 🙂 X

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 25, 2014 / 9:26 AM

      Have a much better balance and perspective on it all now, I think. I’ve been blogging for nearly 4-years, was time for a sabbatical 🙂

  8. November 14, 2014 / 11:18 PM

    Good for you. We all need to do this and well done for knowing what you needed. And welcome back. I missed you!

    Karin x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 25, 2014 / 9:25 AM

      thank you lovely, just embracing happy 🙂

  9. Thomo
    November 15, 2014 / 3:05 PM

    I hear you honey. It’s really hard to take time for ourselves when we always take it upon ourselves to look after everyone else….if we don’t look after us, then we can’t look after everyone else right. “Me” time is as important for you as much as those that love you. And remember, when ever it does feel too much, I’m here. To listen. To laugh. To watch crap tele. What ever you want. Xx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 25, 2014 / 9:25 AM

      and this is why I love you x

  10. November 18, 2014 / 11:03 PM

    Sounds just the tonic Sarah – i hope it really helped.
    Sometimes i rue the day i started blogging as it’s such a time sapper. I have really cut back though. Might copy your lead and go tee-total for a bit soon too xxx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 25, 2014 / 9:24 AM

      You can’t go tee total!! We would miss you too much. You must be a blogger FOREVER or gin support groups will need to be set up all over the country!

  11. November 23, 2014 / 3:29 PM

    Sending good vibes. Nothing else x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      November 25, 2014 / 9:23 AM

      thank you my love x

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