Your body knows
Your body knows.
Last week, around Tuesday, I started to get a scratchy throat.
Uh oh.
I had a 5 hour train journey - with massive rucksack - scheduled to take me to The Lake District on Thursday to spend some time with my brother.
On Wednesday I still felt a bit wobbly.
Thursday morning rolled around... yep, still there. But feeling ok enough to get on that train, even if it was just destined to be a weekend of hanging round teashops.
But I packed my hiking boots - just in case.
Well.
30 miles, 60,000+ steps up hill and down dale, one ridge scramble, one lake swim and a return train ride later...
I'm sitting at my desk with a slightly snuffly nose. And feeling ALL the better for having got out and blasted the cobwebs away.
This might go somewhat against the grain of your average wellbeing advice soundbite.
'Rest up, your body's telling you you need to slow down, don't push it'...
Sometimes worth listening to.
But what's really worth listening to is you.
Yes, sometimes we hit the 'override' switch when we really shouldn't, and keep ploughing on and rushing about even though it feels like wading through treacle.
But that override switch can also be a good thing - because sometimes feeding your soul is the best tonic there is.
How do you know when to hit it?
Simple.
When it comes from you and your gut.
Not from pressure.
Not from FOMO.
But from "You know what? Actually I think this feels good".
And it flippin' well did.