4 Places to Go When You’ve Hit Your Limit
Matthew 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.
Where do you go when you hit that point that if one more person asks you to do something, complains to you, gossips with you, just is…with you, you think you’ll scream? I imagine myself mouth wide open in a shriek, arms waving madly, hair standing up in all directions looking as frazzled on the outside as how I feel on the inside.
I think if we’re honest with ourselves, we can admit we’ve all hit that point sometime. It doesn’t even have to come after something majorly stressful. I know in my daily moments I feel sometimes like I’ve just hit my limit (like at Walmart trying to navigate through all the people…I tell my husband, “I’ve hit my Walmart limit,” and he knows he’d better get me out of there fast).
Sometimes, because of our need to portray ourselves as being in control, of being cool and able to handle everything, we don’t want to admit we need a break. We go and go and go until it becomes routine to just spout off, “I’m so busy.” or “I’m so stressed.” or “Ughhh, I just wish I could slow down once in a while.”
Guess what. You can. Just as I write about being intentional with your relationship with Christ, it’s just as important to be intentional in your relationship with YOU.
Each day, take a moment or two or ten for you. Go to your mountain pray. Not sure where that is? What about these ideas?
1. Take a walk by yourself.
It’s okay to stroll. For a long time, I never went for a walk unless it was only for exercise, only if I could make sure I could cover x amount of miles in x amount of time. When I didn’t feel there was any other purpose, external purpose anyway, I wouldn’t do it. Now, I know that even a 10 minute stroll helps me to clear the clutter from my brain and brings a sense of peace so that I feel I can soon return to the demands of my day and handle everything with grace.
2. Lock yourself in the bathroom
When I had little kids, they would sometimes knock anyway, and I had to establish a few rules with my husband and with them that if the bathroom door was closed, I needed privacy. My kids learned. My husband learned. They weren’t being neglected in the few minutes I shut myself away from them. In fact, they benefitted from a wife/mom who came out from her alone time and felt real patience with them rather than the forced kind.
3. Go for a drive.
Obviously, don’t leave your small kids at home, but if you have them, get your husband, a friend, a neighbor to watch them for you. There’s no need to go for hours. Just go alone. Sometimes, I crank up the music I want to listen and sing at the top of my lungs. Other times, I only hear the chunk chunk of the tires on the cracks, bumps, and potholes on the back country roads where I like to drive. Looking at the trees and pastures in the varying stages of the seasons helps me to appreciate God’s beauty.
4. Shop and go to a movie by yourself.
If you have a little more time, go out by yourself. Being able to take your time browsing through any section of any store by yourself with no one demanding your time or attention is way more relaxing than you might realize. You don’t even have to buy anything. Just look. And imagine a movie where you can focus only on the movie, not trying to keep a little one in a seat, not having to talk to anyone else. Not that those things aren’t fun, but every once in a while, try it by yourself just to see. I think you’ll enjoy it as long as you remember to let go of the guilt you’ll probably feel for doing something ‘fun’ without others. I only mention that because I think that’s pretty common. Guilt. But let it go. You’re worth taking care of, too.
No matter which ‘mountain’ you go to to pray, remember you do have to come down again. Your alone time helps you center, refresh, renew. Schedule it, keep the appointments, use the time to enjoy being with yourself, and then come back ‘down’ and keep working to make the earth His kingdom.
Where do you like to go when you’ve hit your limit and need to be alone? Share in the comments below.
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Such a great post! I think this is so true. Sometimes I like to just immerse myself in a project and forget about everything else. Every once in awhile I like to get a coffee and browse around a bookstore for a little bit. It’s amazing how just a few minutes of quiet and being by yourself can turn a day around. Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is such a great post. Sometimes we ALL need a little alone time–esp moms. I totally agree with the bathroom thing. Sometimes I just need a minute breather and the bathroom is a good place to quickly regroup. Even my 18 month old understands that when I go to the bathroom he can wait 2 minutes and play by himself.
Now that my kids are older, I’ve learned they’re less patient when I disappear in the bathroom then they were when they were toddlers. lol No, they’re actually pretty good, but I do giggle about that sometimes. We also have a cat who meows and scratches at the bathroom door when I don’t let her in. I still think the bathroom is one of the best places in the house to go fro alone time. So glad you enjoyed the post. God bless!
Now these are simple, easy things we women need – OFTEN – and I thank you for the reminder! I often need time alone and I love to get some fresh air – even just for 30 minutes – makes a big difference!
Isn’t it amazing what a little bit of time can do? Thanks for stopping by! God bless!
I have to say that as a single mum of six children, I find these all tricky. But I do curl up with a book in bed at the end of a long day
Lately, I visit all of the above quite often! However, I have found that my new favorite getaway is the road. I’ve become a runner and it not only has done wonders for my prayer and meditation time, it lowers my blood pressure! (Inspired BN)
I used to be a runner, too! What a wonderful time to strengthen your body, mind, AND spirit! God bless you!
My car ride home after I’ve dropped the kids off at school. Love my worship time with Him. It definitely keeps me grounded. I do a lot of crying, praying and singing. Love this reminder, thanks for sharing.
I used to do this, too! I had a half hour drive to and from work and always used that time for praying, singing, crying. I always got a little tickled at the thought of what I must look like to the other drivers passing me. lol Car time is definitely a great time!
Unfortunately, as a single mum, I don’t get time alone. My small ones wake at 6am and my older ones go to bed when I do – they range from 1 years old to 17 years old. I feel as though I can’t breathe and would love an hour alone a day. One day…
Wow, you definitely have a handful. What a blessing you are to those children – that they have a mom so attentive to their needs. I’m sure there are times you do feel you can’t breathe. Maybe your moments ‘away’ might just be those few minutes you grab in the shower. You are right…one day…one day you’ll have more time just for you plus you can look back knowing you’ve given your best to your children. Keep leaning on Him! I will be praying for you!