Rest, Relaxation & Resolutions

Now I don't know about you but if I had the option, I would throw 2021 into the bin.

An absolute trash year.

I've been dealing with it all this year: COVID life, heartbreak, work-related stress, I'm 21 and found my first grey hair, and above all of that I have not been prioritising resting my body.

I'm terrible at it, and for no particular reason too, because I love my bed. I love being in my bed, and I love doing nothing. But, whenever I do that there's that little voice in my head that guilt-trips me into thinking I shouldn't be resting. It's like my brain is an evil being who hates relaxation, like:

"you slept last night, isn't that enough sleep??" or "ohhh you want to rest? sorry but you had a day off three years ago on that one Tuesday before Easter, remember? So you can't rest now."

But, that has to change in 2022. Because honestly, my eyebags cannot get any darker. So, to hold myself accountable, and to try and train my brain to be less mean to me, I'm going to tell you my plan...

STEP 1: Keep a bedtime routine

Now, I'm great at this step in terms of my bedtime skincare routine. I've got that bit down. I wash my face, I moisturise, I put lip-balm on. I've got that in the bag.

The actual sleeping part? Not so much.

I'll get in bed, turn out the lights, try to sleep...and in ten minutes I've picked my phone up and I'm on TikTok. OOPS! It's such a bad habit and I think pretty much everyone knows you shouldn't be on your phone in bed, so I have to change that.

I'm going to stop using my phone half an hour before I go to bed, and I'm going to charge my phone at night further away from my bed so if I get tempted to look at it, I won't want to because then I'd have to get out of bed to get it. That's a smart move in my opinion!

Hopefully staying off my phone at night will allow me to fall asleep faster and not stay up as late. More sleep = a very happy, and less tired me!

STEP 2: Keep to basic bedspreads

The other day I watched a Kristen McAtee vlog about her transforming her room and she mentioned something that I hadn't thought of before. She said she felt as though her room was too hectic and that's why she found it difficult to sleep. She mentioned the posters on her wall being too bright and said that it probably wasn't great going to sleep when the last thing she saw was a poster of barbie doing drugs.

So, that got me thinking about my room and how I sleep. The majority of my décor is very neutral. Mostly whites, beige and a bit of blue. But, my bedspreads are always bright. Reds and greens, bright blue under sheets and crazy patterns. I think it's time for some block colour bedspreads. Perhaps some pastels.

Keeping things cute and calm is definitely the vibe for 2022!

STEP 3: Don't go to sleep angry or upset

This step is a big cliché when you're in a relationship, but I'm single and this is still a massive thing for me. Sometimes I'll be upset and cry myself to sleep. Sometimes I'll be angry at a situation and it'll play on my mind until I fall asleep.

I don't want to do that anymore. I want to sleep as happy as that kitten!

Now, I want to keep a mood journal. I've already started it so I guess my 2022 resolutions are starting early, but I'm glad I've already got a head start. I just want my mind to be clear before I fall asleep so I don't waste time overthinking things when I should be concentrating on feeling peaceful and sleepy. Journaling is so great, I already have so many other journals for other parts of my life so hopefully a mood journal where I can write down all of my feelings, will help me feel so much more at rest at bedtime.

STEP 4: Make conscious choices

2022 is the year I'm taking my rest more seriously. For me it doesn't matter how many hours sleep I get, no matter what I'll always wake up feeling tired and I spend a lot of my days feeling sluggish.

I know why I feel sluggish, I just never do anything about it. Unfortunately for me I am just one of those people who think a problem will just go away on its own. BUT NO. This year I'm not going to be that person, this year I'm going to make conscious choices.

I'm going to look into if I have an iron/vitamin deficiency. I'm going to do more workouts that increase my dopamine levels. I'm going to put the right foods into my body. I'm going to make sure I experience fresh air every day that involves more than walking to and from my car when I got to work.

It seems odd that in order to prioritise my rest I may need to be more active, but if it works then it works. I just want to not feel tired all the time so 2022 is about getting a good night's sleep, and making sure that I do the right things during the day to make the good night's sleep count.

STEP 5: Learn to stop before the burnout.

I was a gifted kid, and now I'm a creative adult who has too many fingers in too many pies. I work 9-5, I'm writing a novel, I'm trying to create my own business, I have to socialise, I want to spend time with family, there's admin and general life things like dentist appointments, I'm in charge of the Christmas quiz, I need to shower, I need to sleep and OHHHH THERE SHE GOES...

She's done too much and burnt herself out.

Learning when to take a break when the tank is still a little full instead of taking a break when the tank is empty will be so beneficial. I cannot stress this to myself enough. Knowing when to stop is good. Holding your hands up and saying to your boss "actually can you give that task to someone else, I've already got a lot to do" is great. Learn your boundaries. Accept your limits. Prioritise taking a break before you break down.

I'm hoping that these 5 steps are going to save my 2022, and next year will be waaay better than 2021.

So, here's to rest, relaxation and resolutions! Have a wonderful, sleep-filled 2022 everyone!

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