I’ve been knocked out with a cold since Saturday morning but thanks to President’s Day this was my first day alone with the kids while sick. And… I spent the entire afternoon fighting off a meltdown and trying to help Rondel do the same as he’s also getting sick. Getting to go to work tonight was such a relief – a chance to escape the emotionally charged atmosphere in the house (probably only emotionally charged due to my current mood associations) as well as the constant sensory input coming from three little kids. I was alone, with tasks demanding very little from my overwhelmed socioemotional skill set and utilizing instead the more intellectual and scientific parts of my brain.
It made me realize how much I rely on that balance to give me renewed energy for the daily work of parenting, and how valuable rest – both physical and mental – is for coping with life in a turbulent world. (Work is very definitely restful for me, at least in this season of life). It also made me very thankful that I have this built-in source of margin! It helps me regulate, process, and relax – and in so doing it allows me to care for my family in a more calm and and emotionally available way. And at times like these, when my innate emotional margin is completely used up dealing with sickness, it is particularly helpful.
What are some ways that you expand your margins and give yourself rest, thinking of rest not simply as doing nothing but as creating mental balance or emotional space?
little thoughts 
I love my drive into the office. We have a hybrid that is mostly in electric mode on that route, so the motor is silent with very little vibration. I listen to our Classical music station, and they often play quartets or cello sonatas at that time. It’s fifteen minutes when I am guaranteed alone time. Work is often restful as I can focus on details, but sometimes I have too many meetings, conflicting demands, and too much social input. After supper each night, I play Elder Scrolls Online, and then I can get into flow and regulate my mind. I have to be careful because it’s a MMORPG, and I actually have a lot of online friends there, so if I’m not careful, the social demands will exceed my capacity. But when I’m careful and mindful, it’s focused Bliss and flow.
That commute sounds lovely – especially the music! I haven’t tried any MMORPGs before, but I think anything that requires social back-and-forth would end up being something I swung in and out of, in phases. (Even the more social aspects of blogging feel too difficult for me sometimes… I’m really extremely introverted in addition to being autistic!)