Breaking From the Cocoon Requires Down Time

​It's Saturday night and I'm feeling like I should be going out in the world and socializing but my body desires to stay in bed and watch tv. Fear creeps in, "Am I becoming depressed? What's wrong with me?" The reality is my body just needs down time as I have been processing a lot of emotions lately. When you are doing hard work your body requires rest. If you push your body physically extremely hard you will require downtime to rest. Processing emotions is no different; it just feels like it is because you weren't sweating physically.

Changing our patterns and behaviors is quite a strenuous exercise. Habits you've built up over years which no longer serve you take a lot of attention and practice to break. This mental energy can be exhausting, much like coming home from a hard day at the office. I liken this work to a caterpillar that is breaking out of its cocoon to become a butterfly. The caterpillar has to go through a painful process to break through the cocoon in order to strengthen the wings so it can fly. Without the struggle the butterfly would not exist and would die after exiting the cocoon. Just like a muscle has to be torn to be built up, you have to struggle in order to become a better version of yourself. So accept the struggle and if you need a break, listen to your body and take it; even if it's on a weekend night.

Wishing you a life of purpose!