Catching an eddy saved me

Can I be real? Lately, creating and engaging is a struggle. I'm not interested in pushing harder, launching more things, or adhering to a strict social posting schedule. I need a break, and whether I'm willing to recognize it or not, my mind and body are declaring freedom.

I read a book last week that discussed negative self-talk and the reasons to be more generous with ourselves. As I reflected on this, I realized that I was caught in my own loop of berating myself. And so I decided to lean into my need for stillness and stop fighting it. 

I'm calling this my eddy moment because it reminds me of something I learned about white water rafting in my twenties. An eddy is a place in the river where the water flows in the opposite direction. Often along the embankment, it offers a haven to break away from the fast-moving rapids.​

​​River guides know and use the advantages of an eddy. It is a helpful place to pause during the trip for lunch. Some are deep pools of water where rafters can swim and relax. An eddy is also the perfect place for a safety break. It is a chance for everyone to recover, a place to discuss the challenges ahead, and the opportunity to slow down and reflect.

Knowing the value of an eddy isn't enough. Because they sit alongside rapids, it takes skill to direct the raft away from the river's natural flow and into the eddy. Raft guides practice and hone this skill because once the current carries you too far downstream, there is no going back. 

​Mother nature offers so many lessons, and this is another one worth learning. Catching an eddy is a gift. It doesn't remove us from the fun. It isn't the end of our journey. An eddy is simply a moment of calm alongside the chaos of whitewater.

So I am no longer judging myself for everything I'm not doing. I'm choosing to enjoy my eddy, renew my energy, and take in the scenery. Moving forward is just a few strokes back into the current. Is your body telling you it is time to catch an eddy? Whether you give yourself five minutes or five days, don't be afraid to step out of the rapids and into an eddy of calm.

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