Resting…

As I write this, I’ve been on a period of enforced rest for two months, while Himself’s rest period has lasted for seven months. As is my wont, I’ve been musing on rest itself… what form it takes, and the impact it can have (both negative and positive).

Himself is not good at resting – he’s not a natural sloth like myself – but our injuries have decreed that quiet time at home is called for. As with much about us, our resting style is different. He watches TV and listens to podcasts or music, whereas I prefer to read. In short, his resting style is loud whereas mine is quiet. We’ve managed to reach a compromise where he doesn’t have to wear earbuds constantly, but my head isn’t exploding from the constant sound.

Where we align is that neither of us copes well when our only course of action is to be patient and wait. Fortunately one or other of us has continued being able to handle the usual restrictions encountered – things like lifting, housework and driving – so what’s frustrated us both is being frozen in ‘waiting’ mode.

Enforced physical rest can also offer an opportunity to rest mentally, to take a step back from the frustrations and annoyances of daily work life. When my leg/knee problems started three months ago, I was seriously strung out. One thing I can say for certain is being told to “relax!” didn’t work. Fortunately I discovered that rigorously enforced boundaries and taking afternoon naps did. But being in ‘waiting’ mode can also prevent a person getting the full benefit of mental rest.

Undoubtedly the biggest negative with enforced physical rest is the deterioration in overall fitness – a serious problem when you’re older. Figuring out how to minimise said deterioration while not worsening our injuries required a fair bit of trial, and adjustment. I feel we’ve both been given an insight into what life could be like if we’re still here in 20 years time. I know I could reframe that as a useful learning – but I’m not ready to… not quite yet anyway.

An unexpected and unforeseen negative is while we’ve been unable to do our normal level of going out and about, what we didn’t expect is that Facebook would take to taunting us with memories of what we’ve got up to in previous years, while also presenting us with information about new things we could be doing or experiencing (and as we’re living somewhere new, those things are mighty tempting). If it wasn’t for the fact the only method of communication my mother & sister (who live in the US) will use is Facebook/Messenger, it would’ve been kicked to the kerb by now.

I will admit to one significant positive for me being the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Himself. As my part-time employer is in winding-up-the-company mode, and I seem to have the longest to do list, it’s taken much boundary defending to keep my hours limited to only those I’m paid to do. Knowing I get to spend more time with Himself by stoutly defending said boundaries has made it a lot easier for me stick to my guns.

Also, all that reading time means I reached my annual target with three months to go; indeed, I expect to reach an annual total record. I’ve also managed to finish virtually all the books on the Booker prize longlist before the shortlist was announced (which is a first in all my Booker read-a-longs). Lastly, I’ve been able to add stacks of books to my Kindle in a totally guilt-free manner, knowing I am positively cracking through my TBR! 😀

Clearly my idea of resting is reading, but how do you like to rest? Are you someone who likes to potter about, to take to your bed, or is rest not something you do unless you’re ill?

© Debs Carey, 2025