So well explained! When your body reaches this point it's scary because you don't understand what's happening to you. You try to find answers and most will tell you it's all in your head. I had one doctor tell me I needed to exercise more and I'd be fine. It's awesome that you're talking about this, more people need to hear this. I wasted so much time, energy, and money trying to find the answer, often making it worse, when really I just needed someone to explain to me survival mode, tell me I needed time to heal, and tell me it's safe to rest now.
I've just got out of bed at 6am to go on holiday in the sunshine for a month (it's absolutely freezing in the UK) and I'm going to use the time to read, rest, walk, practice yoga, meditate, write and swim. No pressure to do anything I don't want to do. Although I've been on a healing journey for several years, most of that time I've been in survival mode, desperately looking for answers and feeling frustrated with myself, always trying and pushing harder. No more 🙏
This is such a beautiful message. It made me cry and I wish everyone who is struggle with feeling useful and valuable according to a sick world, stumbles across this. Thank you. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much, Lila. It means so much to me that my words resonated with you so deeply 🙏🏻 I hope this message continues to reach everyone who needs it!
Patricia, your words offer a sense of connection that transcends individual experience. You name something many of us have lived without always having the language for—how exhaustion can be a call from the body to pause, recalibrate, and choose differently.
The way you weave the systemic forces of survival and societal expectations with the deeply personal act of honoring rest speaks to an interconnected truth. It’s not just about stopping; it’s about shifting into intentional care and recognizing that survival, while necessary, is not the same as living.
Thank you for articulating this so clearly and creating space for reflection. Your work invites a gentle but profound reminder of what it means to meet ourselves where we are.
Thank you Patricia. Clear, logical and important as always. You wrote...."Living asks for something deeper". Indeed it does, and I think that is where the rest and energy lies. We need to rest in the deepest place within where our essential nature resides. It is the place life is asking us to go. It's hard to find in chaos and survival mode, you are so right. All the very best Patricia. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for this, Ian. I love how you put it—resting in the deepest place within where our essential nature resides. That’s such a beautiful way to describe it!
this resonates so strongly with me right now. yesterday i felt like I could not wake up, no matter what I did. Then I realized that I have been working on healing my people-pleasing tendancies, AND forgiving my mother wounds. it's a lot at once and my body needs time to catch up.
I like to say thriving not surviving! This resonated with me. Beautifully detailed. I’m going through this right now. It took 48 years but my body said “enough” and shut down. I am giving my body the rest it deserves. It doesn’t feel natural to not “be productive” but I’m leaning into this softer way of living 🙏🏼
Excellent and compassionate explanation of what many of us have experienced. It is helpful to learn that much of the exhaustion comes from our nervous system being stuck in the fight/flight response. It literally drains the energy from us. The good news is that we can be proactive in rebalancing and nururing our nervous system. It is worthwhile for us to learn the different ways of taking care of ourselves from the inside out, and practicing those that work for you.
Patricia, After all these years, I still find it difficult to rest. This piece truly spoke to me and has encouraged me to take more downtime. Thank you!
Wow ... much I had a differently experienced response to your deeply connected summary "The irony is, I was good at navigating that high-pressure environment because, growing up in chaos, hypervigillance was my default mode. My nervous system was already used to being in a constant". Thank you for 'naming it, so we can take it'. The reset wa, said rarely, hope inspiring.
So well explained! When your body reaches this point it's scary because you don't understand what's happening to you. You try to find answers and most will tell you it's all in your head. I had one doctor tell me I needed to exercise more and I'd be fine. It's awesome that you're talking about this, more people need to hear this. I wasted so much time, energy, and money trying to find the answer, often making it worse, when really I just needed someone to explain to me survival mode, tell me I needed time to heal, and tell me it's safe to rest now.
How I get you. If I had a dollar for every time I was gaslit by a doctor, I’d be rich by now 😂
And it’s so true - just having someone who validates you and makes you feel seen makes such a difference. Sometimes, that's all we really need.
I've just got out of bed at 6am to go on holiday in the sunshine for a month (it's absolutely freezing in the UK) and I'm going to use the time to read, rest, walk, practice yoga, meditate, write and swim. No pressure to do anything I don't want to do. Although I've been on a healing journey for several years, most of that time I've been in survival mode, desperately looking for answers and feeling frustrated with myself, always trying and pushing harder. No more 🙏
That sounds wonderful, Karen! ❤️
This is such a beautiful message. It made me cry and I wish everyone who is struggle with feeling useful and valuable according to a sick world, stumbles across this. Thank you. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much, Lila. It means so much to me that my words resonated with you so deeply 🙏🏻 I hope this message continues to reach everyone who needs it!
Patricia, your words offer a sense of connection that transcends individual experience. You name something many of us have lived without always having the language for—how exhaustion can be a call from the body to pause, recalibrate, and choose differently.
The way you weave the systemic forces of survival and societal expectations with the deeply personal act of honoring rest speaks to an interconnected truth. It’s not just about stopping; it’s about shifting into intentional care and recognizing that survival, while necessary, is not the same as living.
Thank you for articulating this so clearly and creating space for reflection. Your work invites a gentle but profound reminder of what it means to meet ourselves where we are.
Thank you so much, Jay! I’m glad my words resonated with you
Thank you Patricia. Clear, logical and important as always. You wrote...."Living asks for something deeper". Indeed it does, and I think that is where the rest and energy lies. We need to rest in the deepest place within where our essential nature resides. It is the place life is asking us to go. It's hard to find in chaos and survival mode, you are so right. All the very best Patricia. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for this, Ian. I love how you put it—resting in the deepest place within where our essential nature resides. That’s such a beautiful way to describe it!
this resonates so strongly with me right now. yesterday i felt like I could not wake up, no matter what I did. Then I realized that I have been working on healing my people-pleasing tendancies, AND forgiving my mother wounds. it's a lot at once and my body needs time to catch up.
Exactly - that's a lot at once, and your body is doing its best 🤍
I like to say thriving not surviving! This resonated with me. Beautifully detailed. I’m going through this right now. It took 48 years but my body said “enough” and shut down. I am giving my body the rest it deserves. It doesn’t feel natural to not “be productive” but I’m leaning into this softer way of living 🙏🏼
Yes! That's so powerful🤍
Thank you, Jennifer! Glad my words resonated with you
Thank you for this - I relate to the bone deep fatigue. It’s so challenging - and so wise.
You're welcome, Amy 🫶🏼 I'm glad my words resonated with you
Excellent and compassionate explanation of what many of us have experienced. It is helpful to learn that much of the exhaustion comes from our nervous system being stuck in the fight/flight response. It literally drains the energy from us. The good news is that we can be proactive in rebalancing and nururing our nervous system. It is worthwhile for us to learn the different ways of taking care of ourselves from the inside out, and practicing those that work for you.
Yes! Couldn't agree more, Larry. Thank you for sharing
Patricia, After all these years, I still find it difficult to rest. This piece truly spoke to me and has encouraged me to take more downtime. Thank you!
Thank you, Sandra ❤️
I completely understand how hard it can be to truly rest. I’m so glad my words spoke to you and encouraged you to take more downtime—you deserve it!
Truth. Thank you.
Thank you John. I'm glad it resonated with you 🙏🏻
Brilliant. 💯🙏🏻🧡🌈☀️✅
Thank you so much for this heartfelt piece. I connected with it so much.
That means a lot me! Thank you Beth🤍
I need to take this to heart. I suspect many do. Thank you for speaking so clearly.
Thank you so much Cheryl 🤍
Very well written and powerful! I feel like it was a letter written directly to me. Take care!
Thank you so much, Larry! That truly means a lot to me.
Wow ... much I had a differently experienced response to your deeply connected summary "The irony is, I was good at navigating that high-pressure environment because, growing up in chaos, hypervigillance was my default mode. My nervous system was already used to being in a constant". Thank you for 'naming it, so we can take it'. The reset wa, said rarely, hope inspiring.
You're welcome Sharri. So glad it resonated with you