Christine Kelly Reads and Writes

I feel like there could be a better name to describe the necessary way in which we, as busy humans, (and/or introverts) need to recharge. But I’ve seen it described as such, and so I wanted to share what I did on my bed rot day (spoiler, a whole lot of nothing) and why I am not letting myself feel any guilt.

So, thanks to my husband, he knew I needed some time off from “mothering”. I’ve had a lot of solo time with the kids, between primary parenting during the week, and taking them on vacation solo. So he took them up to his parents so I could get some things done.

Dear reader, I didn’t get much done. Because I so rarely have more than a few hours to “get stuff done”, let alone even just do absolutely nothing. And as someone who needs alone time to recharge, it was so necessary for me to take the time for myself. So…I bed rotted. I was in bed rot? Either way, I spent time in bed, on the couch, and generally keeping my eyes preoccupied by reading (some of it was work, but a lot of it was for fun!).

After two solo nights, and around thirty six hours of alone time, I will tell you selfishly that it wasn’t enough. I soaked it up and could have used a bit more time of nothing to then get motivated to do something. (See, that’s how it works for me….eventually the guilt kicks in and then I’m refreshed to tackle my to do list with enthusiasm.)

I also think that laying horizontally isn’t a bad thing. There is something about recharging in a way that isn’t productive to society that is then deemed lazy. I can tell you right now, I have been a better mother, partner, “worker”, and human, because I took those days for me. So when my kids were puking the following days and my husband down and out with the flu too, I wasn’t depleted, I was ready to tackle it head on.

I guess TLDR…I support you and your need to bed rot if that’s what you need. I also spoke with my friend from college who said her time spent with people recharges her. So if that’s what you need, I’d love for you to be able to take a day with the people you love most and do what you want, and not feel guilty that you’re not doing what you “need” to do.

I’m hoping for all of you, there is a time soon you can do what you want. Because it’s exactly what we need.