Week 2: When the Body Said Stop, and the Soul Whispered “Breathe”

I came into Week 2 still riding the waves of Week 1, hopeful, grounded, and hungry for more growth. But life had other plans. And what started as “just another week” quickly turned into a loud, loving intervention from the universe.

Because this week wasn’t about pushing harder, it was about surrendering.

The Weight of the Weekend

My daughter graduated from college this week, and the joy of that moment can’t be overstated. But so much goes into those milestones. The travel, the emotions, the family dynamics, the expectations, the pride, it all hit me like a tidal wave. I smiled through it, celebrated through it, but when the weekend ended, I was drained.

And I mean bone-deep tired. Dizzy. Unfocused. The kind of tired that even sleep can’t fix if you’ve been carrying too much for too long.

So on Monday, when the air conditioning went out at the job I was supposed to start, it felt like more than a coincidence. It felt like divine delay. I ended up working my second job instead, walking over 3,400 steps while still trying to keep my body fueled on nut thins, turkey sausage, trail mix, and zero sugar Snapple.

But underneath it all, a quiet truth was rising:

You are not a machine. You need rest.

The Small Wins No One Sees

Let me not downplay this: I made progress this week. I didn’t eat out. I chose water over soda, even when the craving hit hard. I walked every day during deliveries. I tracked my movement and acknowledged it. That matters.

Here’s what else I did:

• I said no to a Sprite.

• I spent zero dollars on fast food.

• I honored my tired body with grace, not guilt.

• I worked on my book, pouring pieces of myself into the pages.

The Hard Lesson, Don’t Rush

One of the biggest takeaways from Week 2 came unexpectedly:

I wish I hadn’t said yes to starting my new job so soon.

That was a hard truth to admit. But it’s important. I’ve lived most of my life reacting, saying yes because I didn’t want to miss out, or because I felt like I needed to prove something. But this week reminded me that rushed decisions are often rooted in desperation, not alignment.

Had I waited two more weeks, I could’ve been emotionally and physically ready. I wouldn’t have entered the new space tired, anxious, and needing recovery. I could’ve walked in whole. That’s what I want to do moving forward, walk into rooms whole.

What My Body, Mind, and Soul Are Teaching Me

• The Body: Movement doesn’t always have to be exercise. My steps count. My food choices count. Listening to my body counts.

• The Mind: I need space to think clearly, and that space comes when I’m not rushing, reacting, or running on empty.

• The Soul: God is not in the chaos. God is in the pause. And if I don’t pause, He will pause it for me.

Financially Speaking…

This week reminded me that food isn’t the only place I can save. My main expense was gas. That’s something I’ll reevaluate in Week 3, perhaps through batching deliveries, route optimization, or simply resting more and driving less.

Rest saves money too.

Looking Ahead to Week 3

Week 3 isn’t about proving anything. It’s about returning. Returning to myself. Returning to my rhythm. I plan to:

• Start running again, lightly, with intention

• Go to bed early and rise early

• Track meals and water

• Listen to a chapter of an empowering book

• Let my soul breathe again

Final Message for My Readers

To the woman who’s reading this and wondering why you’re so tired…

To the one who’s pushing through because you feel like stopping means failing…

Let me say this with love:

You are not lazy. You are tired. And tired people don’t need to push, they need to pause.

Rest isn’t a break from the work. It’s part of the work.

Affirmation of the Week

I no longer make decisions out of desperation. I honor my energy, my rest, and my right to pause. Everything I need will come in divine timing, and I am learning to trust that more each day.