Depleting—And Recharging Your Battery
This week, I am TIRED. Not just slightly tired, but completely WIPED OUT and EXHAUSTED.
My body aches all over. My feet hurt. My hands hurt. My back hurts. I have a fever blister. And I forgot about a ZOOM call I was supposed to be on yesterday—even though it was listed in my calendar, not once, but TWICE (pro-tip: appointment alerts can be very helpful—if you make sure to enable them).
Suffice it to say, I am not feeling my best right now.
Why? Because I have spent the better part of the past week or so preparing for and celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover. Kashering (cleaning) my kitchen. Cooking. Making countless trips to multiple grocery stores. Cooking. Moving furniture and setting tables. Cooking. And walking thousands and thousands of steps—each day—in my 120 square foot kitchen.
We hosted 15 at our Seder on Monday night—and 19 at our Seder on Tuesday night. It was—as “the kids” these days say—A LOT.
And when I woke up yesterday morning so tired I could barely move, I thought for a split second, “Am I hurting so much more than I did the last time I did this because I’m getting OLD?”
After which I realized this is exactly the type of internalized ageism I’ve been working so had to bring attention to—and put an end to—for years now.
That fact is hosting two dinners on consecutive nights for nearly 35 people—one of whom was gluten-free, and another of whom is vegan—is HARD WORK. It requires planning, organization, and timing—as well as cleaning, shopping, cooking, serving, and cleaning again. Activities which are both physically and mentally taxing—no matter how old you might be.
In fact, I might argue that older age—and the experience that comes with it—is actually an asset when trying to execute a such complex plan as the one required to feed so many people over such a short time span. And it’s the SECOND time I’ve done this over the course of just a six-month period.
Fortunately for me, it plays to my strengths. I love to cook. I love to feed people. I’m an organized, strategic planner. I love using the creativity and vision required to set a beautiful, festive table.
Which is why, in addition to feeling exhausted, I also feel full. Satisfied. Accomplished. Energized. Enriched.
Because, as I’ve come to realize this week, sometimes the activities that deplete our batteries are the very tasks that can recharge them. As per usual, it’s all about perspective.