It’s time for a mental vacation…The mask is exhausting

Hey Sis,

I’m just going to be real honest with you this week…I’ve got nothing.

No really. No cool tips, no list, no super-hot topic…I’m just mentally, and maybe even physically, exhausted with no life-altering advice to give you this week.

And guess what? I’m OK with that. Are you?

I’m currently writing this from my sofa…stretched out with the TV on simply for background noise.

Cramps are kicking my butt. Perimenopause has my brain in a never-ending mental fog. Working out has me exhausted, and lack of sleep has my brain function at an all-time low.

Yet, if you’ve been a faithful reader (I appreciate you), you’re here waiting for some magnificent advice.

Well, let me tell you, you won’t find it here today.

I AM DRAINED.

It’s been 5 nights of restless sleep. Almost of week of me being worried about my son after his first “breakup,” double pick-ups from school due to my daughter’s play schedule, a disagreement with the spouse, grocery shopping, dinner, work and more work.

Seems like everything has been out of alignment this week, and I’m just trying to make it through so I can start over next week.

Which is weird, because Mothers’ Day day was actually pretty nice. Church, breakfast at Burger King (I’m a cheap date, I know), Six Flags (with hardly any lines and a new coaster), dinner, visit with mom, came home to see my daughter made me tiramisu…But then, that night, it all went downhill.

My son’s emotions were all over the place because of some girl I wasn’t a fan of to start with – but I had to be empathetic. My husband decided to be – well, a man(child). Aunt Flo was being a b-word. Yet, life had to go on.

So what did I do, put on a happy – well, partially happy – well, emotion-neutral face and attempt to push through. However, things are weighing me down. I’m stressed, and my body is letting me know no matter how much I pretend, I need a break.

Break? What’s that!? Just like how there’s no crying in baseball, there’s no time for a break in womanhood. Life needs us. At least that’s what the people who depend on us want us to think. What these folks don’t know is that once my obligations slow down, I’m clocking out of everything. Don’t call me, don’t ask me any questions, don’t bother me.

I’ll be busy in my mental Nirvana, sipping Mai Tai’s on a beach. Really, I’ll just be on my sofa, but that’s all I can afford right now.

Can I do that? Who’s gone stop me boo?!

Until then, take care of yourselves. If you need a break, you can join me in my imagination.

Let me put this happy mask on until I can put my feet up, relax and reset.

Tah tah for now! Y’all will get something more riveting next week.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Support from a therapist can help you navigate these emotions and find practical ways to care for yourself. The clinicians at New Chapter Counseling Services specialize in supporting women through life transitions, pregnancy, postpartum, and everyday mental health challenges.