Is a rest as good as a change?

So I am nearing the end of my 3 days off work and although I haven't done everything on my to-do list, I have gotten through a lot of them and most importantly, I have had some time for my brain to rest. I was concerned that I may just spend the time moping and unable to get off the couch, but I did find myself doing things and not only that, I enjoyed them.

On my first day I did have a lie in and then sat on the couch, eating breakfast and watching Netfix. I then made myself get up, showered and dressed and took myself to the countryside for a bit of wandering. I ate lunch (including the to-do list essential - vegetables!) while reading my book then perused the charity shops. It rained and I didn't care. I ate a cake. I bought a barometer.

The second day I found it easier to get up and go. I went out on my bike. It rained and I didn't care. I ate a cake. I made myself lunch (veg included), listened to music and then in the afternoon I joined the library and went to sit in the park to read. I treated myself to some Netflix and drawing in the evening. I felt calm and ok.

This was yesterday's drawing - it depicts the inside of my brain:

My third day has been much quieter. I have been sanding and varnishing some woodwork projects that my boyfriend and I are working on. I made pancakes for the first time ever on my own. I set the fire alarm off and I didn't care. I ate the pancakes. I rode my bike around in my living room just because I could. I tidied up my flat and felt much better for it.

So tomorrow I go back to work and I'm not sure how I will feel. People will ask me if I am ok and I think I can honestly say yes. I am ok. A rest can do that for you. But am I just hiding away at home? Thankfully I am going to have a meeting to discuss options for me and where I can go from here. I need to find a way to become engaged again, to challenge my brain and not give it time to fade away and turn to mush. That isn't always easy so I just wonder what is to come.

At least I know now that I am able to give myself a bit of a break and that being kind to yourself is extremely beneficial. I guess some people forget to take time for themselves and to just do the things that they like to do and just do them for themselves. It's ok to be selfish, we need to be sometimes to protect ourselves.

The final item on my to do list was "Say something nice to a stranger who seems sad" and whilst I achieved this by talking to an old man at the bus stop and also to a cat who had a poorly eye, I will say this to whoever may read this:  Do something today or tomorrow that will make you smile. Look after yourself and be kind to yourself and remember: