The Pressure to Make the Most of Every Day

Do you ever feel like you should be making the most of every single day?

I’ve got a bit better at accepting that I can’t always do things, especially when I’m at home.

But when we’re away somewhere, it’s a different story.

Suddenly I feel like I should be out seeing places and doing things, even when I know I really should be putting my feet up and giving my body time to recover.

After all, pushing myself means I end up paying for it afterwards and that can be anything from days to weeks of down time.

Feeling Like Life Is Passing You By

I think one of the hardest things for me is feeling like I’m missing out on life.

Between sleeping so much and having days when I can’t do anything, sometimes I wonder where all the time has gone.

Where did my life go? Where did all those chances to do things go?

It’s not even necessarily about getting jobs done or being productive. Sometimes I just want to get out and experience something.

I love being around animals, for instance.

We try to visit the Seal Sanctuary once a year, and this year my cousin suggested going to Tehidy while we were away.

The squirrels there were incredible! They were so tame that one actually held my hand while taking a nut from me.

I mean, how amazing is that?

That’s the sort of thing I wish I could do more often.

Choosing to Do Nothing Is Different

There’s a huge difference between deciding to have a lazy day and having no choice but to do nothing.

Choosing to put your feet up can be lovely. You can relax, enjoy yourself and hopefully feel a bit better afterwards.

But when you’re stuck doing nothing because your body won’t let you do anything else, it isn’t quite the same.

It can be boring, frustrating, distressing and sometimes even humiliating.

I’ve heard people say things like, “Oh, I wish I could stay at home all day watching TV.”

But do you really?

Because it’s very different when you can’t just decide you’ve had enough and go and do something else.

And after a while, not being able to use your brain the way you want to can affect you too.

There are days when I feel useless or like I’ve failed because I haven’t managed to do anything.

I know I shouldn’t feel that way, but I do.

Everyone Else Seems to Be Doing Something

Social media probably doesn’t help.

We share our holidays, days out and the things we’ve been enjoying.

But how many people share the days they’ve spent looking at the same four walls?

I know I don’t share any of that side of my life.

Then there’s the weather.

Everyone’s talking about how lovely and sunny it is and how they’re making the most of it, while I’m inside hiding from the sun because it makes me itch.

That’s fun!

I know social media isn’t the whole picture, but it doesn’t always stop that feeling of missing out.

Why Is It Easier to Tell Someone Else to Rest?

I’d happily tell someone else to put their feet up if they needed to.

But when it comes to me, apparently that’s a different matter.

I’ve become a bit more accepting of my limits over the years, but I still push myself. It’s just how much I’m pushing that’s changed.

And when I do have a better day, I sometimes feel like I need to fit as much as possible into it because I don’t know when the next one will come along.

Which, of course, can make the next crash even worse.

Every Day Has Its Value

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to make every day count.

But I do think phrases like that can be difficult when you physically can’t do the things you want to.

Sometimes you have to look quite hard for something good in a day.

It might be a funny cat video on Facebook, a message from a friend, a nice treat or an audiobook you’re enjoying.

Even on some of the worst days, there can be a little glimmer of something.

And I do think every day has its value.

If I’ve spent the day resting because I did something yesterday, that still matters.

If I’m resting because I might be able to do something tomorrow, that matters too.

It doesn’t mean I’m suddenly happy about all the things I’m missing out on.

I’d still much rather be out doing things when I can.

Do you feel pressure to make the most of every day, or are you quite happy to have a day where you don’t do much at all?

Pin It!