In the beginning...I unpacked in the first hotel room getting ready to compete for Mrs. International. Little did I know how much energy it would take to get through the week! (The above photo has the Gems of Wisdom Necklace #2 with the added Amethyst pendant.)
We had early mornings and some late nights. Lots of rehearsing a dance number and meeting new people. We had personal appearances, interviews and a constant sense of stretching. I had a wonderful week in Chicago even though, no, I didn't win.
Behind the scenes: my feet hurt like crazy! Living on someone else's schedule is hard. I had to switch rooms mid-week when my hubby came. Learning new things outside of my experience kept me in constant fascination but also in constant awareness. That in itself draws on energy supplies. (In the above photo, I'm wearing the Gems of Wisdom Glamour Earrings and Necklace #2 with the moonstone pendant prototype.) I promised to show some of the wardrobe I wore at Mrs. International. I wore this dress for rehearsals on Friday before the preliminary night.
Back at home, I thought it would take a day or two to reacclimatize to my regular schedule. Oh was I wrong!
Although playing with my grandson brought my head and heart right back to reality and how much my family means to me! His smile is so sunny, his joy chasing my exercise ball and just hugging him infuses me with energy.
Today, almost a week later, I'm feeling a bit more back to normal. I started thinking about why it took almost as long to recover as it did to compete. It was the lack of private recovery time. I'm a huge people-person. But one thing I do back at home is take private time to recharge. So home is a very quiet, peaceful place. (Okay, and I woke up at 9 a.m! It was wonderful to sleep in.)
Ah, the energy. One week of constant, non-stop "up" energy. It's totally me, no problem, to visit and enjoy all the people I love meeting. The normal daily life allows time away, time to think, time to sleep! But it also allows down time away from people. No matter how much we love others, we still need our time to refuel and refresh. One week of solid drawing on those reserves depletes them completely. Not because it isn't fun or exciting, but because anytime you deal in non-stop people-it takes a different kind of mental energy.
When you are feeling drained, I'd like to suggest getting away by yourself and refilling your energy reserves with quiet, private time.
Angie
PS Please come visit www.MyGemofWisdom.com and see the jewelry that helps support the Sanctuary of Hope orphan homes in Kenya.
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