Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like an alien must have possessed your body because based on the way you felt it couldn't possibly be 'you?'
I woke up on Monday feeling like a complete stranger to myself. I felt moody, unfocused, weepy and out of control. I then found myself going down the, "What's wrong with me?" spiral...you know, that place that just makes for crazy people? I questioned my sanity, wondered if I needed an anti-depressant, a SAM-e or a good stiff cup of coffee, or an intercession by some kind of spiritual advisor.
Forget the fact that I'd been going non-stop for 2 weeks, traveling across country and back (three times, mind you), managing family drama and generally not sleeping. Forget the fact that I had clients to communicate with, work to do and a business to run. Forget the fact that I hadn't been drinking enough water, eating enough calories and hadn't worked out in at least 7 days (Endorphins? What are those?)
It took me the better part of the day to realize I wasn't crazy...
And no...I hadn't been possessed by aliens...
I was, quite simply, exhausted.
Often we forget it's the simple things that keep us running smoothly. Sleep. Food. Hydration. Movement. So that when we feel any less than our fabulous-happy-and-joyful-selves we question our sanity, blame it on hormones or call it some catchy-named syndrome or disorder.
We forget that the amount of energy we expend taking care of everybody else needs to be replaced and that we too, need to be refueled.
The next time you feel a little crazy, (or possessed by aliens):
- Schedule a massage. NOW.
- Let the family go out to dinner, while you take a hot bath by yourself at home.
- Cancel a commitment and go to the park.
- Go for a swim, a run, a yoga class...anything that moves your body and releases your natural endorphins.
- Enjoy a good glass of wine and get a good night's sleep.
Me? I went and received some energy work (after which I had a good long cry), wrote in my journal and the next day went for a swim.
Do what works for you. Just remember, it's not always something bigger. Sometimes it's as simple as creating space for you in your life to keep the aliens at bay.