I was raised that no matter what, you push through and do what you need to do. This includes when you are feeling under the weather, which I am guilty of doing sometimes, even though I tell my patients to take care of themselves. So, you can imagine me taking time for me when I’m feeling OK and have things to do. Well, that’s what I’m doing today.

I went skiing today! I had my normal to do list of a gazillion things, saw that the weather was going to be good, and said, hmm, I think it’s time for a mental health day and to be in nature, on a mountain. The weather has been so wonky, and I know once March hits, I will be limited when I can go. This is my fifth time skiing, and I have to say, my first where something cold was not pelting me in the face. I learned it is called a blue bird day. I got a pass that gives me three lessons, which is very much needed learning this as an adult. Being a mid week, I ended up getting a private lesson, which was awesome. We warmed up on the easier runs then headed to Vista. I wrote about this one last year, the one I thought I was going to die on? The one I went up my second time skiing in white out conditions? Yeah. I am almost glad that happened now because if I had a clear view then, I would have said no way. When I got up there and looked around, my mind stopped freaking out for a second, and I really took in the view, all I could think was wow. I could see hundreds of miles in the distance, the sun beating down, warming in the way only a winter sun can. Standing on the side of this majestic mountain, so close to the top, no clouds, no wind, I felt like I could lay down and be enveloped by it. Held and rocked, supported. A small speck in the vastness of landscape.

This lasted until I needed to actually go down. Which I luckily forgot about for a few minutes of bliss.  Did I mention that learning a new thing like is hard as an adult?  I bit it earlier in the day practicing a hockey stop, crossing my skis, and landing in a way my knees said, one inch more sweetheart and you are in for some blown out knees! I treat injuries from skiing, so i don’t have the fearless ignorance of being young and starting out.

All that said, I did get down the mountain. And the third time it wasn’t too bad. I did not go fast (my teacher was very patient), and was lucky to have the run mostly to myself so that i could sweep back and forth doing long and sweeping turns. By stopping along the way, giving myself pep talks, I did eventually get down.  And was reminded that I can push through my fears and catastrophizing as much as my mind tells me otherwise.

We are all works in progress. I am slowly unwinding this intense work ethic that has its good points. But taking a day like this when i had stuff to do?!  Such a new concept.  I am hopeful as a society that more companies acknowledge the need for mental health days like this. Over time, we have developed this unhealthy balance, work, work, work. And god forbid you are sick, you still have to be on the computer taking care of emails. Being raised the way I was, I am just as guilty.  I remember having a stomach flu, throwing up, crawling back to bed, and answering a patients email.

I am going to stop here, so I can continue my mental health day by curling up with my sweetie on the couch and watching a show 🙂  I encourage you all to take a day like this here and there to reboot and refresh.