Under Construction
When something is under construction it is being given much needed attention, as the wear and tear of life has taken its toll. Years of neglect and abuse, and people taking it for granted have created cracks and stress fractures. Its support system, and perhaps its once strong foundation, has been weakened. I liken this to human life.
We all have moments in which we are under construction, and more often than not it is when we are neglecting and abusing ourselves, taking our lives for granted. This comes from ignoring our bodies telling us to slow down. It comes from society sending us messages that we are unproductive unless we are doing, when in fact we need more being in order to remain productive. Neglecting your own self-care is detrimental to your health and creates cracks in your foundation.
You have got to heed the warning signs and hang out your “under construction” sign as needed. Who cares what others may think? Who cares about the long list of things to do, which let’s be honest, is mostly packed with shit that can wait? What cannot wait, and what you absolutely must stop putting on hold or placing on the back burner, is your self-care, your self-maintenance.
Cars can’t run on fumes. They need gas. Cell phones can’t function with a dead battery. They need to be recharged. Bridges can’t carry the weight of cars forever. They need maintenance. All of this is true for you. You need to fill your tank, recharge your battery, and tend to your maintenance (i.e. self-care) on a regular basis. Otherwise, you may fall apart and require major construction. You could be shut down for a much longer time than you anticipated because you didn’t prioritize your self.
There is pride and strength in being “under construction.” It is not a weakness. Weakness is thinking you have to put up a front, acting as nothing is ever wrong, and that you always have everything under control, which is bullshit.
Strength is acknowledging where you are, identifying what you need, and taking action in whatever way works best for you. You tending to your self-care, nurturing your needs, will make you a better human being for yourself and those around you. It is what the world needs more of. We need people to hang out their “under construction” signs proudly, to show that it is okay, in order to create more loving, caring, compassionate, powerful individuals to help lift others up. Imagine that!
Pause. Take a deep breath. Be still. Listen. What do you need right now, in this moment, to strengthen your foundation, to nurture your needs? What cracks have formed that need your attention?
Now get to it.
LYF 💖
REFLECTION: What do you need right now to strengthen your foundation and nurture your needs? What needs your attention right now?