Stillness on Blank Days
In the journey of progress and healing, it's so good to remember that not every day is meant for profound insights and revelations. Sometimes, we all need a break—a day to breathe and simply be. A day to be still in the process of healing. Allow for what's been stirring in the heart to settle a bit. Somewhere during the early stages of my grief journey, I came across this idea of pauses and breaks in my routine that allowed me to embrace these blank days. This helped me take the pressure off myself and allow for room to exhale. This also helped me better learn to be self-aware and lean on the Holy Spirit when I don't know what I need.
In our fast-paced, self-help-obsessed world, there's often an underlying pressure to constantly move forward, grow, and heal. We're surrounded by messages that suggest we must always be productive and continually improving. But the truth is, progress isn't a linear path, especially when dealing with grief or any form of deep emotional healing. It's more like a series of peaks and valleys. And frankly, one day can be so different from the next. That's okay.
I discovered the concept of "blank days" as a form of self-compassion. I saw it as a blank journal entry. Even on that enormously satisfying long streak record of daily journal entries, skipping a day is okay. Look at that page and intentionally leave it blank. Use a day with space like this to take a break from the usual routine of reflection and self-improvement. This is about giving yourself permission to rest and recognize that you're human and it's okay not to have new insights daily. Embracing these blank days requires a level of self-awareness. It's about understanding your needs, recognizing when it's time to take a step back, and giving yourself the grace to do so. Self-awareness is a crucial element of self-compassion and overall mental well-being. It has been a great help for me, and I hope this can encourage you to give yourself the room you need to breathe into your own mental and emotional healing.
Taking a break doesn't mean giving up or losing progress. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Just like our bodies need rest to recover and grow stronger, our minds and souls benefit from the occasional blank day. These moments of rest can serve as a reset, allowing us to return to our healing journey with renewed energy and clarity.
When you think you may need one of these days, you can either attend to yourself as needed and make a quick adjustment to your day when you wake up or plan for these days ahead of time. This can also be nice because you've set a dedicated time to be still. Notice when you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or lack motivation. Use this time to do things that bring you joy, whether reading a book, sipping your favorite hot beverage and staring out into the distance, taking a long walk, watching a good movie, or simply lying in bed without a specific agenda. Experiment with ideas that work best for you on that given day. Allow the Holy Spirit to suggest some ideas, too.
Progress and healing are vital aspects of our personal growth. Still, it's essential to understand the value of rest and self-compassion. Embracing blank days is a powerful tool to enhance our healing and self-awareness. So, the next time you need a break, remember it's not a setback; it's an essential part of the process. Take that deep breath, then exhale and allow it to be what you need for the day.