So, I spent most of my third week in Guatemala recovering from Covid. Yep, of all places to get Covid, I got it here.
On Monday morning I had two classes at the school. My throat had a little tickle in it, and I thought it would just go away. But the next day, I did not feel good. I had body aches, chills, a horrible headache and was so tired. I took a Covid test to be safe but it came back negative. I thought I just had the flu. I was slowly starting to feel better but still had some of my symptoms on Thursday so I decided to take another test and it came back positive. I was actually surprised when I saw it was positive. I definitely was not expecting my first time getting Covid to be in another country. I had to isolate for five days. My isolation period just ended yesterday. Although most of my symptoms are gone, I am extremely tired and have very little energy. Doing simple tasks make me feel wiped out. I did my laundry today and felt like I could barely walk up the few stairs to get to my room. I will be taking it easy and slow during this last week I have here. It is unfortunate that my trip had to end with me staying in my bed for most of the day but getting Covid really reminded me to slow down. I think the Lord knew I just needed to take a break, instead of constantly doing something. I am so used to doing stuff all the time, that I often equate slowing down with boredom. But after the school year I've had, I'm realizing that my body needs rest even more than I realize. Honestly, even coming to volunteer in Guatemala for a whole month was pushing things for me more than I think I realized at the time that I booked this trip. And a part of me wonders if God used Covid just to give me space to truly rest here. So often it isn't until I am forced to rest because my body has no other choice, that I actually allow myself to slow down without feeling guilty. So, for August I am prioritizing rest. I will enjoy every slow morning and having no plans. I will spend my days at the beach reading books, listening to music and journalling. I am going to give myself space to truly rest for the second half of this summer, because God knows I need it. My second year of teaching was VERY hard on my body mentally and physically. I was worn out after this past year. But instead of just giving myself permission to do nothing at all and just take time to recover, I planned to volunteer in Guatemala for five days a week, 7 hours a day. I don't regret coming to Guatemala at all. I am thankful I was able to spend my time here. But I think even my decision to volunteer here after such a hectic school year is showing me how often I resort to busyness because I hate the idea of boredom. Sometimes it's a good thing to be busy and sometimes it's a good thing not to be. This summer has been slowly showing me how to balance the two. I am learning how to listen to my body and actually respond to what it needs. I love how God uses even sickness to teach me something. I am praying that I will get the rest and peace that I need during the rest of this summer, before I go back to work in September.
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AuthorRecent Brock & Queen's graduate and Third Year Teacher! I love to talk about life, justice and faith. Archives
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