The Time I Couldn't Sleep
Slowing Down
The Story
This will be a short post, and a unique one, because I’m currently living through the story I’m telling. Most of my plans were derailed this week when I got an incredibly painful, unexplained rash up and down my arms. This has happened twice in the past few years, and the only explanation is that I have a severe contact allergy to some unknown substance. I got an appointment with an allergist… in a month and a half. Meanwhile, I haven’t slept much for the past week. The itching is even more severe at night, and I can only rest if I have ice packs or cold, wet towels blanketing my arms. (Gratitude to my husband for not complaining about lying in bed next to all the coldness and wetness.) I’m not good on low sleep. Much of my daytime hours this week have been taken with 1) trying to see doctors and get treatment and 2) finding time to nap with cold compresses.
But there has been a silver lining, and it has to do with the timing of this extreme discomfort. It’s mid-June, and the school year is winding down. My work-related stress level usually stays constant through May and June, which makes the end of the school year feel like I’m running full-speed into a brick wall— and then, nothingness. It often takes me several days to get used to the lack of stress, to actually relax, and figure out how I want to spend my summer vacation. Not this year, though! Being forced to take care of myself this week has pumped the breaks and given me some perspective. I feel more capable of a gradual release into summer.
In a way, the pain reminded me to slow down. It’s not the way I want to be reminded, but it was certainly effective.
Stuff You Might Like To Know
You may have noticed that I’ve changed the Good Character banner! I’m not 100% committed to it yet, but I was missing the style of my previous newsletter design (The Joyful Creative) so I decided to try something similar. I’d love some feedback!
I’m currently reading REAL AMERICANS by Rachel Khong (novel) and it’s SO good.
I’m listening to Pantsuit Politics’ new Friday series, The Nuanced Life! I am a huge fan of Sarah and Beth, and I love hearing their take on life outside of politics.
I’m loving playing basketball with my kids in the evening. It’s fun to have a driveway hoop.
Here’s to us, in all of our imperfect, striving goodness.
Keep hoping. Keep caring. Keep trying.
I'm sorry to hear about the rash--I had a very similar experience recently! I think it was a reaction to my old sunscreen, and it took a couple of weeks for the rash to heal with applications of cortizone 10 ointment, and even now the skin on my arms isn't quite back to normal. My rash wasn't as bad as yours, either. Hope you find some relief soon.
I like the new banner :)