Finish line? Crossed!
... literally. Plus some thoughts on "resting"
June 21st 2025
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Aaaaaaand… breathe!
The school year wrapped up this week (barring any last-minute report card edits, insert #fingerscrossed emoji here) and I’m just starting to breathe. I can feel my shoulders relax and my brain slowing down (in the best possible way, not in the brain tumour present way!). I’m taking stock of what needs to be done at home before I leave on vacation and also taking moments to rest. Because I can. Because I need to. I am so lucky I have the summer to recharge from the school year, I know. Believe me, I don’t take it for granted. Especially in the last couple of years.
Brain surgery recovery is complicated. On the one hand, I’m physically great. I’m in better shape than I have been in a long time, 2 years post-surgery. I’ve worked hard for that. To be fair, the physical recovery is “easier” because it’s tangible - you can see progress, however small, and others can too. The recovery from the emotional impact of the emergency situation and surgery, however, is still a work in progress. There is still a lot of trauma to process and while I’m working on it, there are still moments when the whole situation literally takes my breath away. Yes, still. I’ll be somewhere where I was *then* (when I was so unwell and not knowing why) and have a flashback to that time. Or, I’ll come across something I was working on *back then* *(damn Google Drive for literally storing every single thing I have worked on in my current position) and won’t remember doing it. Or I’ll just think about the surgery I survived. It’s wild.
What I have learned over the course of this past school year as I navigate processing all *that* is that rest is my friend. But not just, you know, sleeping. Rest can look like a lot of things apart from, well, actual resting. I recently came across The 7 Types of Rest that Every Person Needs, part of TED’s “How to Be a Better Human” series, where people in the TED community share helpful advice. It really spoke to me as I’ve spent a lot of time trying to verbalise what “resting” means to me these days.
Here’s how I am working on those 7 types of rest:
Physical. Ok so sure, I am a runner and I have run 3 half-marathons in the last year but I also choose where I put my physical energy and have my limits. This year on Fridays I got to leave work a little early and 99% of the time I would go home and sleep for an hour before I could do anything else. Most days I take 30 minutes at least when I get home from work to rest or read.
Mental. Pre-surgery I used to be able to power through many many tasks in a day with very few breaks. Now? Not so much. I map out my days each week to make sure my week is balanced. It’s rare that I will go “out” on a school night but if I do, I know to plan nothing else that week in the evenings. For each task on my planner, there’s a break. Maybe two ;) In terms of cognitive load, I have to be aware of that as well - stressful situations take me longer to deal with as I need more time to respond. And I’m learning to ask for that.
Sensory. Since I returned to work after my surgery, I’ve made sure to make time during my day for some non-screen activities. From reading (a physical book) at lunch to getting back to pencil and paper tasks where appropriate (so much nicer to grade than online work, especially for little ones), it’s been refreshing to have those offline breaks in my day. And I’ll always eat lunch in a room on my own for the quiet. On that note, I’m also a huge fan of my Loop earplugs, specifically the “Engage” version that filters out loud background noise but allows you to have a conversation. Lifesaver! Want to check them out? My referral link will get you 15% off!
Creative. For me, creative rest looks like reading. Before my surgery, for a long time, I couldn’t really focus on reading unless it was necessary for work. Now? It’s my escape. My place to daydream and armchair travel. Reading energises my brain and creativity. Scroll down for some recommendations!
Social. Social rest “occurs when we fail to differentiate between those relationships that revive us from those relationships that exhaust us.” Over the pandemic, my social circle got smaller. Over the past two years it’s gotten even smaller as I don’t have the energy I used to have for socialising. And that’s ok. I have a core circle of friends, people I can reach out to anytime and that’s enough.
Emotional. “An emotionally rested person can answer the question “How are you today?” with a truthful “I’m not okay” — and then go on to share some hard things that otherwise go unsaid.” I’m working on this (but mostly because other people don’t really want to know how you are, truthfully!)
Spiritual. I’m not one for meditation - my meditation is running and cooking/ baking - but filling my soul with things that feel purposeful (both for myself and for others) is high on my priority list. Again, I don’t have the capacity I used to but that is a good thing in a way because it means I really have to be intentional about how I spend my time.
This post from Nicola Jane Hobbs spoke to me so much. Click through for the entire set of slides. It will make you stop and think.
What about you - do YOU take care of all the types of rest your body needs?
what I’m watching
I saw The Penguin Lessons last month and it was THE most delightful film - and so unexpected.
A disillusioned Englishman who goes to work in a school in a divided Argentina in 1976 finds his life transformed when he rescues an orphaned penguin from the beach.
I had a free movie voucher for our rep cinema up the street and found myself at a loose end one Friday night and saw this poster, thought it might be fun. I took myself (and a friend) to this and it was a wonderful surprise. I laughed, and cried and learned a lot about the political situation in Argentina in the 70s. A great cast (plus, I mean, a penguin!). If you can find it, go see it (also, there’s a book!).
links you might like
eat
A chat with Dorie Greenspan via David Lebovitz’s newsletter. Spend a delightful hour that feels like you’re in David’s kitchen with them both (it’s a podcast). They talk cookbooks, recipe development, sweet Parisian treats and more! Warning - you’ll be hungry after you listen!
live
Victorine Lamothe on the art of living frugally in Paris via Blue Paris.
The good news? Paris is actually a great place to live frugally without feeling like you’re missing out. A croissant here can cost just €1.20, and an espresso €1.50. You can enjoy a very delicious lunch out for €22. And, even on a shoestring, you can live fully.
Urvashi Roe’s Morning Coffee Thoughts on running via Biting Biting. And thoughts on a “coached run”.
travel
A semi-exhaustive guide to visiting Paris with kids via La Vie en Watercolour. Some excellent “off the beaten track” tips if you’re visiting the City of Light with littles.
The Good Life France’s Summer Magazine - Can’t get to France this summer? Bring France to your sun lounger/ couch/ cottage/ plane ride…
write
Heather Dixon on her winding, twisty path to publication via her newsletter.
a very long way of saying that if you find yourself worried or bummed that your path hasn’t yet taken you where you want it to go, my advice is to keep working at it.
ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT Study via TIME.
Does ChatGPT harm critical thinking abilities? A new study from researchers at MIT’s Media Lab has returned some concerning results.
I have thoughts about ChatGPT. This article gave me some more… Much like if you ask a student to explain something they have used Google Translate to write and they can’t, it suggests that “even if efficiency goes up, an increasing reliance on AI could potentially reduce critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving.” Note that the paper is not yet peer-reviewed but it is definitely food for thought.
what I’m reading - #summerreads is back!
This is my TWELFTH year sharing book recommendations through the summer! From the start of June to the end of August each year, I share a recommendation for a book. I’ve got three amazing reads (well, one of them is an audiobook!) up so far this year and I’ve got a fabulous, eclectic lineup for this summer!
want to know what I’m reading outside my summer reads?
In 2024, I started doing mini reviews of each book I read (mostly for myself so I can keep track!) over on Good Reads. Check out all my recommendations there!
buy my books
Don’t have my books yet? Click on the blue button to read all about them and get them for yourself!
French food made easy … for everyone!
rent our holiday home in southwest France!
Maison de la Fontaine is a cozy, comfortable, tastefully decorated house in the friendly, quaint town of Nerac. It was perfect for us and was well stocked with everything we could need. Essentials were provided by the hosts, Mardi & Neil, as well as a much-appreciated welcome basket. Shopping for food items was close by within easily walkable distances. How wonderful to live the life of a rural Francophone in this wonderfully civilized country.
Mardi & Neil were exceptional hosts - always easily contacted and quick to respond to any questions about the accommodation or to provide recommendations. We could see the effort and thought that was put into hosting, with a very thorough House Manual that provided easy-to-follow instructions and provided lots of recommendations.
We found ourselves thoroughly relaxed, and Maison de la Fontaine was the perfect home base from which to explore the beautiful Gascony area of France. We are already looking forward to our next visit!
~ guest review, April 2025
Our charming house in Nérac, halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse, is in the heart of Gascony. 2025 bookings are filling up!
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for a French (Food Idiom) Friday soon!
Mardi
xo
Really love the thoughts on rest. So much to reflect upon there. And I appreciate that your meditation happens in different ways. Something we all need to embrace! Thank you for sharing Mardi!
The section on rest and types of rest really resonated with me. Chronic stress is by no means comparable to your surgery but I feel like I’m having to rest in exactly the way you describe. Especially the mental load part. Meditation has helped be break up my day and get deep rest. I use the down dog app as I am not yet “good” at meditating. Thank you for sharing. I’ll look up the TED talks.