Drawdown

I’ve been sick the past 10 or so days, sicker than I’ve been in years. And when you run a business and homeschool your kids, there’s no one to call in sick to.

Instead, I struggle to handle the basic necessities and feel panic and guilt about what’s not getting done, whether I can fulfill my obligations and appointments for the week ahead, and even whether I can accomplish the goals I had for the next weeks and months.

This mental tailspin is a reminder of how vulnerable our mindset can be from normal hiccups.

Because the reality is that getting sick is a normal part of being alive, at least in modern times and living with kids. Just like check engine lights and leaky faucets are normal parts of owning cars and houses.

These curve balls highlight our vulnerabilities, whether they be mental ones, like when an unexpected expense thwarts your financial goals and so you throw in the towel, or structural ones, like a lack of sufficient backup systems and buffer resources to get you through tough times.

The trick is to not indulge too much in the generally unhelpful mental tailspin and, instead, find what you can actually do something about.

You can put more effort into building out financial buffers instead of quitting on your goals. I can remember not to shortcut my sleep, which greatly increases my chances of catching whatever bug is around. I can put more attention towards automating our homeschool and housework routines with the kids so life doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart when my health does.

Because the reality is it isn’t actually falling apart.

It’s a drawdown period where our level of new productivity and creativity is low.

Around here right now, life maintenance tasks are suffering a bit, some things are getting skipped or rescheduled, but we’re all still alive. It’s a time when rest is simply more important than work, even if it’s a longer period than I would have liked (and was forced upon me).

But even elite athletes must rest before periods of great performance. We should take intentional drawdown periods on the regular too. And instead of viewing them as a sign we’re falling apart and useless, abandoning our goals, we can view them as necessary periods for rest and gearing back up. And maybe a way of highlighting those spots in life, work, and finances that need retooling.

There’s probably something you’re feeling panic or guilt about not getting done right now (maybe always).

Perhaps your retirement planning or figuring out how you’ll pay for something big looming on the horizon.

Perhaps you can view your avoidance to date as simply a drawdown period.

And when you’re ready, you’ll tackle that issue at your best.

I’m going to try to be patient with myself and give my body the time it needs. Consider this an invitation to do the same for yourself.