Can I be honest about something? Lately, I’ve noticed I’ve been dreading the sound of my phone’s ring tone and text tone. Last night, I was wasting the night watching my favorite show. I was enjoying the goofiness and ridiculousness that occur in it and when I heard my phone go off, my smile disappeared. I felt anxiety like needle pricks on my shoulders and it traveled down my arms.
That’s when you really know you need a mental break.
I’ve known I needed one for a while. Tension and inconveniences have been getting to me more easily lately and things I used to enjoy aren’t so enjoyable anymore. Not to mention, I waste my nights in front of the tv more often now instead of going back to my hobbies and dreams. Which in turn makes me feel guilty about not working on my hobbies and dreams.
So, I decided to silence my phone for my weekend. The sound of it going off amped my anxiety, so I was going to spare myself that for my weekend. I’m not going to look at emails about bills or work. Not going to look at text messages from work or people wanting to hang out (I’m an introvert. I need several days notice to prepare myself for a hang out). I’m gonna take this time to free myself from anxiety, worry, and all the other ugly feelings trying to pull me down. And you know what?
It’s okay.
It’s okay to silence your phone for your weekend. It’s okay to take a mental break. It’s okay to not be there to answer somebody’s question. It’s okay to lighten your load.
So, if you’re finding yourself in a point like I’m at, I encourage you to take care of yourself. Give yourself an hour, a day, a weekend. Whatever you need to get your mind back in a better headspace and get your feet back on the ground. For me, it’s silencing my phone and I’m not going to think about what’s giving me anxiety and stress. Those thoughts are banned. If that’s what you need to do too, please do it. You’re worth it.
nikki diekemper 