#ActuallyAutistic Self-Care Journey
By Gretchen McIntire
I often reflect on how much more I need to grow and forget to look back at how far I’ve come. Do you ever do that? This month has been about looking back and sitting with how far I’ve come. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve been brave this month. I even took my first rowing class ever!
But I did a lot more resting with a positive attitude.
As I began my first term at UNC-Greensboro this past month I’ve learned a lot about pacing myself. Pacing myself for homework, for workouts, and for sleep. I’m the type who wants to cram everything in all at once. I’m the girl who does an entire month’s worth of errands in one day so I don’t fall behind. But that doesn’t lead to excellence.
Pacing myself will lead to excellence. Resting will also lead to excellence.
My rowing class even ground that right in too. Pacing seems to be woven into everything. Don’t go too fast or too slow. Balance is key right? The cliche makes more sense to me these days. We have to pace ourselves in every area of our lives and that is hard for me. I’m always so afraid to fall behind that I forget to rest.
But this month I’ve forced myself to create a better routine for myself. I’ve been more focused on sleep and hydration. I’ve been focused on healing. I spent so many years just trying to get by that I forgot how to pace my breathing! I feel like I’m always running from one thing to something else.
I’ve been slowing everything down and enjoying the journey.
I’ve gone outside and sat in stillness more. I’ve said no to phone calls and read more books instead. What can you do to slow down and reflect? What are three things you’ve accomplished recently that you haven’t celebrated yet? Let’s breathe, focus, and get through each month together. We’ve got this!
Gretchen McIntire
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