Thoughts on being tired

[SRP]

I got out of bed at 5:45 a.m. this morning. I took my time getting started, but I have pretty much been moving and on my feet all day: cooking, cleaning, doing yardwork, shoveling out the barn, washing the dog and of course giving myself a nice, long workout. It's 8:30 p.m., and I just finished a nice stretch and am done for the day.

I'm tired. I'm ready to relax. But it's a good tired. I've enjoyed my day, and I know I'll sleep well.

On the other hand, during the week, I set on my butt in front of a computer for 8 hours straight. Even on a routine, non-stressful day, by the time I get home, I'm brain-dead, my muscles are tense and I'm totally beat. Even though I know a workout will help to wake me up, there are some days when I really doubt I can do it.

If I don't exercise, I can't unwind and don't sleep well, even though I'm exhausted. That kind of tiredness is not healthy. I find myself resenting the workplace and the so-called work ethic that places this kind of strain on so many people.

How many of you out there are able to end your day with a good tired feeling, knowing you've had a healthy, productive day?

 

[melodygirl]

Shannon,

You spoke the "tired" truth so eloguently, as you always speak.

I remember my 9 to 5 (the ending at 5PM was usually a myth) and if I were still in that world, I believe I would look and feel much older than my true age.

Don't get me wrong, this SAHM who homeschools job ain't a walk in the park - I've never worked so hard in my entire life. The difference is that it is a work I HAVE CHOSEN with all my heart and soul; it is the work I know will make a difference in my children and therefore in the world. The "tired" that comes from this work is not only physical but mental and some days is soooo stressful - but when that stress kicks in, I kick it out. Because I am truly at peace with what I am doing. I made this choice at a later time in life (I've already raised one fine young man, but wish I new then what I know now). I am fulfilling my true purpose in life.

Yes, at the end of every day I am exhausted, but exhilirated because......

I DID IT...and...

got lots of hugs from little boys with dirty arms, big smiles, and loving hearts...and...

God willingly, I get to get up and do it all over again the next day.

 

[nancy324]

Shannon-
I have no answers, but wanted to let you know that I feel exactly the same way. I can workout for hours on the weekends and enjoy it, but during the week I'm too stressed to enjoy much of anything. I also resent the hours I spend at my desk when I'm braindead, but I just sit there anyway to be "seen" by the powers that be. Physical tiredness feels wonderful, and mental tiredness feels awful.

I generally enjoy my work, it's just the relentless of it that gets to me, not to mention the sedentary nature of it. I just keep thinking that life is not perfect for anyone. I'm often envious of SAH Moms, but I also realize that they are often envious of the money I make. Life is truly about trade-offs. I remind myself of that every time I start to envy something that someone else has. No one has it all.

On a more positive note, I keep coming up with ideas to make things better for myself. For example, I've pretty much decided that I'm going to sign up for Pilates classes after work, maybe twice per week. The classes will be by appointment, and will be expensive, so there will be no question of not showing up. I will HAVE to go. }( I've just been waiting to get over this cold, but I'll let you know how it goes when I get started.

-Nancy

 

[kathryn]

I know exactly what you mean about that " productive tired" vs. the " brain-dead tired"! I really try to workout when my tiredness is of the " brain dead" variety, because I know it helps. I just get so much energy from it. But it doesn't always happen! If I miss a workout because of the "productive tired," I don't really feel bad, because I've been active all day and that's as good as a workout in my book!

I also find that when I'm ' brain dead tired," I don't sleep as well (my body NEEDS more activity, and IT is not really tired, even though my brain tries to convince it it is!).

 

[gym_mom]

I am right there with you. On some workdays, I'm brain dead - DH calls it zombie land. On my days off I can usually manage to get that good tired feeling at the end of the day.

I do put my workouts first, as in I workout first before I do anything else in the day. It means getting up at 5 am, but I find that I don't mind as much because the workout helps me so much throughout the day. If the workday is really getting to me, I try to get a walk in at lunch. Or I try to do it either before I get in the car to go home or as soon as I get home. The walk doesn't feel so impossible to tackle and since I got my workout in the morning, I don't feel the need to push myself physically. Of course, life isn't perfect and I don't always get that walk in, but I guess we wouldn't appreciate the good tired if we didn't experience the zombie tired.

 

[SRP]

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

I do love it that I can write as my profession, and I enjoy the type of writing I do, most of the time. But of course writing means sitting, right?

Sometimes I find myself wondering what I can eliminate from my day to give me more time. But the only things I can eliminate are my personal things that I enjoy. Can't cut back on the workday. I could actually afford to work less hours, if I could maintain the same hourly wage. But generally when a person switches to part time, the wages drop too, since professional level positions expect you to be there full time or more.

So yes, life is full of tradeoffs. I choose to work full time for the extra income, so I can put it back for retirement, etc. If I worked part time, I could make it day to day, but my future would be insecure.

And despite the effects of a long day, I know I'm fortunate to be able to do be employed at work that I enjoy. I know far too many people who dislike their jobs and are just there to punch the time clock.

 

[nancy324]

I agree with you, Shannon. In spite of my many complaints, I am usually well aware of how lucky I am. I actually love drafting legal documents and meeting with (most) clients. It's mentally challenging, stimulating and I often get to feel like I'm helping people. True, it's difficult, and often impossible, to fit in my beloved workouts, but I think eventually I will be able to solve that problem to some extent too. In any event, that's the trade-off I've chosen, and I guess in the end it's the one that works the best for me.

-Nancy

 

[Luv2WorkHard]

I completely know what you mean! I just got a job 3 months ago where I work 60 hours per week (usually 8am to 8pm M-F) and by the time I get home at night, I am too mentally exhausted to muster up the motivation to work out. I am SO not a morning person, so I have never exercised before work in the past. Before I got this job, I worked out 6 days per week, right after work in the evening (around 6pm). Now, I am lucky to get in 3-4 days (usually Friday night after work, Sat & Sunday afternoon, then 1 day during the week). I feel like I have backslided dramatically and do not feel good, really - both mentally and physically.

I, too, have trouble sleeping when I am mentally, but not physically, exhausted. I have actually started taking sleeping pills for the first time in my life, due to some nasty insomnia. I really think it's the lack of exercise that has given me the insomnia and have made a pact with myself that no matter what, I am going to start getting up early 2 days during the work week to work out in the morning. Even if it's only for 30 minutes instead of my usual 60 minutes. I have to do something to get my life back on track. Not to be gross, but I also get constipated when I don't work out at least 5 days per week...has anyone else noticed this? It's as if my body systems are completely in slow down mode. I also seem to be picking up colds easier. I hate feeling like I am moving in slow motion, physically...I have always been a 100mph person and dang it, I want to get back there! I will do it... ;-)