Selfish? Nope - It's Putting Health First

In the spirit of the "busy-ness" and SLOWING DOWN posts, I thought I'd share a recent decision I made. To preface...

It SUCKS. But it was the RIGHT call for ME.

Does that make it selfish if it's about my wellbeing, health and energy?

My Dad and I have been performing at a private Christmas party for about 7-8-years, I believe it is. It's always our last gig of the year at the start of December. The timing isn't ideal for us as the days/weeks get busier come late November and the music is winding down (so by that point we need a break). It's also a time of year where there's more colds and bugs floating around (we did have to cancel once due to me catching something). 🙏

This year however, despite the folk always being so welcoming and the night being fun, I WAS NOT feeling it. I was NOT feeling the excitement, I was finding it hard to fit in practice time (energy and heart wise, more than time) and my mind was NOT in a space to prepare whatsoever. I was REALLY fighting with myself whether we should cancel or not this year. I eventually listened to my heart and made the decision to cancel and be done for the year (though I wish I had come to that realization even sooner).

---

🎵My Dad and I play music together and gig as a fun hobby together (and a little side money is nice). It's NOT a job. It's NOT meant to be stressful. When it gets more in that direction that's a sign we need a break.

🎵We put our full effort and energy into our gigs. After a gig you feel like you've run a race. It's a safe kind of high, and a "good tired" but it takes alot out of you. To go into a gig without energy or that adrenaline is NOT a good sign for a fun performance AND not to mention, not fair to those at the event either. It would also mean an even bigger impact on me mentally, physically and emotionally afterwards if I'm already depleted going in.

🎵The impact is minimal. Yes people enjoy the music the past several years. However if we've had to miss the party goes on. This group has had this Christmas party for DECADES - well before Dad and I performed for them.

🎵We RARELY have cancelled gigs in the past. Typically a cancellation comes from weather, illness or the business/event itself. That's a good track record for something that's a hobby I'd say. That also says to me, if that's what I'm feeling in my gut - I NEED to listen!

---

What's the point coach???

The point is putting YOURSELF first and recognizing when YOU NEED to SLOW DOWN - And then ACTING on it. Does it suck sometimes? You bet. This is a prime example. But I also recognized that it was the RIGHT decision for ME.

This time of year, as the holidays creep closer and closer, things get busier and your energy is tapped in various ways. If you're putting yourself into scenarios (good or bad) where your energy is being drained and then MORE is drained as the weeks move forward, that's a recipe for burnout, mood swings and all kinds of things that are the OPPOSITE of how we ACTUALLY want to feel during the holiday season.

This was an unplanned example of exactly what our theme of the month has been to start off December.

• Put YOURSELF and HEALTH first.

• LISTEN to YOUR body - it knows what YOU need.

• Even GOOD things USE energy and drain you. YOU only have so much to give.

SLOWING DOWN and SAYING "NO" is NEVER a bad thing when it's for YOUR HEALTH.

We ALL need to practice this FACT more.