Rest, Relax and Renew

I just returned home from a month in the Caribbean.

I had two intentions for this time away from my usual routine:

1. To rest deeply.
2. To connect with my husband on an even deeper level.

I didn’t have a plan.

No agenda.
Just follow my feelings.

This is so not me.

Once we arrived, the colors alone downshifted my nervous system.

I was starving for deep rest.
A daily routine of reading, napping, and hanging with friends came naturally.

In the past I actually worked with clients during my time on the island.

I’m not kidding.
Last visit, I vowed to put an end to that.
I desired an entire month to do nothing.

I am on a mission:
Rest, relax and renew.

Any “productivity” would be the expression of my commitment to my rest and renewal.

I asked myself, “What’s in my pleasure?”

Hiking or scuba diving?
Yoga or massage?
Alone with a book or cook a meal with friends?

I discovered that by doing “nothing” I had room to hear my desires.

There was an opening to pause and listen to my body’s response as a yes or a no, a right or a left.

I had access to what it was that I was drawn to, and repelled by, in a given moment.

Deep sigh. So soothing to my nervous system.

I came to the realization that my whole self really needed this time to recharge.
Making time for rest, relaxation and renewal became my new normal. It was no longer a luxury.

I found myself available in the present moment.

We were invited for incredible meals and stays at beautiful homes.
I enjoyed yoga classes and massage sessions from spiritual healers.

Since I wasn’t crowding out possibility with my non-stop doing, doing, doing I had room in my soul to receive the abundance and the beauty of the island – and the kindness and generosity of the people around me.

Including my husband.

Connecting

When I’ve taken care of me and I’m well rested and well-nourished, I have much more of me available to share with my husband.
And when both of us are rested, relaxed and renewed, we have all of me with all of him.
A yummy combination.

What did I learn from intentionally devoting myself to rest, relaxation and renewal?

30 days isn’t enough.
More please.

I choose to create opportunity for rest, relax, renew and connect into my day, my week, my month and my year.

All of it.
Choose to make rest, relaxation and renewal a priority.

Like healthy food for your body’s nourishment.
Nourish your soul with rest, relaxation and renewal.

Schedule it in your calendar just like your other commitments.
Except – this is first.

Each Day
It can be a run, a meditation, a nap, 15 minutes reading a book, a dance break, a conversation with a friend.
Each Week
A yoga class, a session of energy work, a swim, a hike or a snowshoe in the woods, a trip to the library or a bookstore, an hour or two to create art.
Each Month
A massage, a visit to an art museum, explore a nearby town with a friend.
Each Season & Each Year
Schedule getaways, weeks off spent at home and exotic vacations – long weekends and longer weeks.

Tell your resistance to F off.

Where do you want to be for each season of the year? Make it happen
Use your calendar to schedule your commitment to your rest, relaxation and renewal.

Rest, relax and renew.

Then connect with your spouse with your rested body, full heart and nourished soul.

If you would like support to provide rest, relaxation and renewal to your marriage, schedule a free Discovery Call with me today and I will help you take your next step towards reconnecting with your soul – and with your spouse.

Want more rest, relaxation, renewal – and connection – in your marriage?
1. Click here to join my private Facebook group, The Pleasure Led Wife.
2. Private message me here with any questions you might have about my 1:1 or couples’ coaching programs.
3. Apply here to get on the wait list for my Marriage Reconnect coaching program. I have room for new clients again in February 2022.
4. Sign up here for a free 60 minute Discovery Call. Find out how coaching with me can reignite that spark of emotional & physical connection.
5. Click here to learn more about the Marriage Reconnect program.

Most important. Take care of you.

Here are 5 easy suggestions:
1. Get enough sleep. Establish a bedtime routine and follow it.
2. Get outside in nature every day. Rain or shine.
3. Appreciate what is wonderful in the world. Write 3-5 things you are grateful for each day.
4. Reach out to a friend. Call that person once a week – or every day. Ask how they are and what they are feeling. Give them the space to release their feelings without any judgment or fixing.
5. Treat yourself to pleasure every day. Maybe every hour. Give yourself a hug. Dance. Take a nap. Sing out loud. Read a novel. Soak in the tub. Do anything you want – just for the pleasure of it.

With all my love.
From my heart to yours.
Gail