Craving Stillness

I am a person who requires quiet time and solitude to re-energize. I do this in meditation, I do this at silent retreats and I do this by taking time to read or just be quiet at home.

I didn’t learn this about myself until my mid-40’s. Before then I couldn’t understand why I seemed so exhausted or depressed after feeling so great. I would go through spurts of energy; visiting with friends, networking for my business, spending time with my kids only to crash and burn after a while and ultimately isolate.

When I realized I am a very social person who needs time to regenerate I was able to find ways to take care of myself. I crave stillness, I crave solitude AND I love being with people – both are true but not mutually exclusive. I have to be around people to learn; relationships are the framework for growth AND I need to be alone to allow it all to sink in and to ready myself for more people.
Balance and self-awareness are what make it possible for me to keep an even temperament of joy and peace in my life. Always? No. But for the most part, Yes.

If I have too much social without down time I fizzle out. If I have too much solitude I end up spending too much time with the committee in my head who tell me I am not good enough, lazy etc. I can’t be doing that.

Self-awareness through meditation and making an effort to be present in my life keeps me in self care mode and brings a great deal of serenity to my every day.

What do you know is true about you?

How do you take care to get what you need?