Trust, Hustle, Rest, Repeat..

April 2022: I got infected by a deadly viral infection of the intestine, leading to fever for 10-12 days and other symptoms of any viral infection. This led to incessant rounds at the hospital, medical tests and bills eventually getting cured after 15 days of the bout. However, post viral weakness took over and I was advised NO heavy cardio/strength workouts for at least a month.

Now this is more difficult than it sounds like for me because I am that category of humans who derives heavy validation from her workout schedule and the intensity of the workouts achieved on the day. For the last 5-6 years, I have followed a schedule of not skipping workouts unless unwell and no rest days. However, given the gravity of the trouble caused by the infection, I silently agreed to oblige to tone down my workouts and stick to mild cardio and yoga.

This phase taught me an important and urgent lesson. Life is not always about hustling. Ironically, social media shouts and demands loudly of being perfect and hustle as the only way of launching supremacy and stature. There is always a market for hustle. You post about your hustle and some facts and how it helped you etc., it is bound to get you tons of likes and maybe, admirers too. Let’s admit, we all love to get that attention to some extent, and it is normal to feel so. Most of the quotes online are based on hustle and motivational speakers choose hustle as their themes for keynotes.

While I am also a supporter of hustle, I learnt that it is ok to rest and step back. It is ok to learn to stay put when our biggest source of validation is temporarily unavailable. Resting is also an act of fitness and self-investment, and essential to optimize our potential. One doesn’t lag for resting and reflecting, rather it can motivate them to come back stronger and catalyze them to think of different ways to appreciate themselves.

Let us also speak about taking a step back, reflecting and not shame resting. A lot of people around truly deserve it and let us let them take it as they see befitting. ??