It was my last breakdown that forced me to "learn" how to relax. I had no choice. Chronic fatigue left me immobilized and unable to do anything at all for days at a time. It was frustrating and painful at first, and I actually had to relearn how to measure my self-worth by "being" instead of by my "doing".

Now that the fatigue isn't as devastating as back then, I'm getting busier - BUT, I still operate on a limited energy reserve which forces me to sit still and relax, and not always at the best timing!

Relaxing, learning to just "be" and be okay with just "being" is a lesson that was painful and difficult to learn, but I'm glad for it now. It's still hard to teach others (hubby included) about my need to pull back and re-energize myself through quiet "down" time, but I feel much healthier and well-balanced now than I have for the past 15 years of my life (which at times were much too hectic for my stability and mental health!)