Life

Why can’t I relax?

May 1, 2015

I’m 33 and I think I’ve forgotten how to relax. Highly-strung and energetic by nature, and nurtured with a Protestant work ethic, I’ve always enjoyed drawing up then ploughing through a to-do list; sloth-like stints in front of the TV were few and far between for me, even as a teenager (apart from when hungover, obvs). But the older I get, the less able I am to physically and mentally take time out. Try as I might, I can’t relax. Even when my body is still, my mind is running, running, running…

Why can't I relax?

It’s down to a combination of factors, I know. Living in London – a city where everything happens that bit more quickly than elsewhere in the UK – has reinforced the part of my personality that nags at me to cram as much activity as possible into each minute. Career-wise, I held down a demanding job that trained me to multi-task endlessly, and even though I’ve since gone freelance and part-time, I’m still locked in the same mindset, unable to switch off. And of course, having a small child means that I have much less time available for myself than ever before, even if I could remember how to enjoy it. (Plus, there’s this little blog I do, which kind of eats into my down time…)

But still – does this mean, for example, that I have to run everywhere? I have always done this. At secondary school, my friend and I raced to the dinner hall every day to be first in the queue for lunch. When Rachel and I worked together, she used to laugh at me for always sprinting through the open-plan office to reach the loo, the photocopier or our next meeting. And nowadays, I find myself rushing from the office to the Tube, from the Tube to Oscar’s nursery, and back home, his pushchair juddering in front of me. The irony is that I hate running as an actual sport.

I’ll intend to relax. When I’m feeling stressed out, I promise myself I’ll book a massage soon, but I never get around to it. I’ll run a bath for some ‘me-time’, get in, get bored (or cold) immediately, debate whether to top up the hot water, then get out again. I’ll bring a magazine into the kitchen to read while cooking, before remembering that the knives need sharpening, or spotting something that could do with a good scrub, or deciding to audit and rearrange the contents of the fridge. I can’t just ‘be’.

It’s not that I’m unhappy – getting things done calms me, I suppose, and I find activities such as cooking and swimming pleasurable. I know this is the way I am, but when life is stressful, being able to switch off in a meaningful way (rather than just conking out when my head hits the pillow) is a gift.

Both by circumstance and design, there is never any end to my to-do list. Perhaps the only way to actually get myself to relax would be to add it as an item on the damn list.

Do you find it easy to relax? How do you relax? Give me some tips by leaving a comment below.

P.S. Teaching yourself to meditate, why I love swimming when I need some me-time, and the best box-sets for properly lazy days.

Did you know we’re social?
Come find us on Twitter, Facebook and Bloglovin'

You Might Also Like

4 Comments

  • gaw.jamie@gmail.com'
    Reply Jamie May 2, 2015 at 8:36 am

    This post really resonated with me Nicky. I also rush everywhere but hate running as a sport! My mind literally never switches off, even at night. I can get to sleep but have elaborate dreams and as a result suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding). I find gentle yoga, meditation and long hot baths help but ultimately I will never be a laid-back chillaxer! I think character traits go together; perhaps us restless types wouldn’t be such efficient multi-taskers if we weren’t so impatient…

    • Reply Nicky May 3, 2015 at 8:30 am

      Thanks Jamie! I’m a teeth grinder too – and I sometimes have dreams where I’m talking all night with someone, a really intense conversation that is actually gibberish. Not the most relaxing night’s sleep you can get! I might try the nighttime meditation – I know Rachel finds it useful. Thanks for commenting! X

  • jess1978dean@hotmail.co.uk'
    Reply mummyofboygirltwins May 2, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    Oh my goodness yes – me too. I literally never stop. Even when I get some ‘down’time’ I am blogging, which means I never switch off mentally either. I love being outdoors and being out and about, and busy, but boy it does make me knackered! I must try to chill out more and do something relaxing every so often. Great post 🙂 Jess x

    • Reply Nicky May 3, 2015 at 8:27 am

      Thanks Jess. I am starting to think that relaxing is like any other skill – if we don’t practise it, we lose it! Just not sure I have the time to practise… X

    Leave a Reply to Nicky Cancel Reply