I’m sitting on a blue and white striped bedspread in a sweet little room named Nantucket. Boats and fishing nets and white curtains and distressed wood decorate this small room. The window is open and I listen to the little creek running through the backyard.
Last night, I arrived at this little bed and breakfast, just outside the city on the way to the mountains. I didn’t really know what to do with myself – Two whole nights by myself?? An entire day, just me? I was at a loss, and got a little antsy.
Unable to just stop. To breathe. To listen, I watched a movie, read some books, and went to bed so early. Perhaps by divine intervention, I left my computer charger at home and arrived here with a half-full battery. I’ll have to be more intentional about screen time tonight.
I had been asking for 24-hours to myself for a couple years now but the timing was always off – pregnancy and newborns just seemed to complicate plans for a retreat. With school underway and a free weekend on the calendar, we decided now was as good a time as any.
And so, I’m spending some time relearning how to listen to myself. With days spent listening to the needs of two small children, of listening to the needs of friends and our family dynamic, I fall into the trap so many moms seem to: I forget to listen to myself.
So, here I am in a little room. A stack of books that would take weeks to read, just in case. A dying computer for a bit of writing but nothing else. And the sound of the creek outside, reminding me that it’s ok to do all or none or some of what I imagined for this time of rest.
How do you stop and listen to yourself? What is the best way for you to find rest?
Linked with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday, a time to write without editing. Today’s prompt is “listen.”
Annie Rim 
Funny girl, enjoy yourself!
Man, I want to visit that bed and breakfast. Sounds heavenly! Enjoy your opportunity to rest and recharge.
Thanks! I’m definitely savoring this treat!
Oh, Annie.Yay for you! I hope this time of being alone is refreshing for you. We are so quick to think of things we should DO. Sometimes, it’s okay to simply BE. Enjoy those delightful noises outside your window, and the time you’ll have to listen to yourself, and listen to the Lord. I hope you’ll share more on the other side of this retreat. 🙂
Thanks, Jeanne! It’s easy to find excuses to not do something like this, isn’t it? It’s certainly been lovely.
I’m so glad you shared this perspective of listening. I’d guess most of us listen to ourselves the least. I’m so guilty of that. Happy you listened to your need for time away. Soak it up!
Thanks, Debby! I know that taking care of myself is so necessary, especially if I want to care for others well. Yet, it’s also the easiest to push aside. Here’s to learning again…
Time to listen to ourselves is important, but easy to neglect. Hope you find your time away restful and refreshing.
Thank you! I am savoring this time!
Enjoy your retreat! I’m jealous that you are in the mountains. I’m over in the 56 spot this week.
Thanks, Tara! 🙂
Moms don’t get to have much time to themselves especially when the children are young. And when they do, they don’t know what to do with themselves! Enjoy your alone time Annie. It will surely help you when you are busy again.
Thanks, Colline! It has been so refreshing!
It sounds beautiful in sound and sight 🙂 I am blessed to work in a lovely part of DTC with wide meandering sidewalks, mature trees, even a small forest, and wide sweeping lawns with flowerbeds thrown here and there for no reason and the occasional park bench. And fountains. I spend time on breaks and lunch strolling around, taking it all in before winter comes, I plan to buy Yak Tracks for snow days so I can also enjoy the beauty then.
Yes! Getting outside makes such a difference, doesn’t it? I’ve borrowed yak tracks before and they’re awesome! 🙂
What a rare treat. It may take some time to let go of you “I’ve got it under control muscles”, but then just before it is time to come back you’ll move into sacred space.
Oh man, yes – letting those control muscles relax is so unnatural. But amazing when I just let go!