I’m on day two of a hangover.

Yes, you heard me right. I am so spectacularly bad with booze that even a few units of alcohol on a balmy afternoon will render me useless for a good two days.   Hence me hardly ever drinking anymore.

But, you know what? I enjoyed it soo much. As a west end actress during lock-down 2020, where we have seen the entire theatre industry go dark for the first time since the 17th century plague, and who has been homeschooling a 7 year old girl whilst attempting to entertain her 19 month old brother at the same time.  Let’s just say it’s been a slightly stressful time.

Add to that the fact that I am a recovering perfectionist and high-achiever and immediately responded to this life u-turn by throwing myself headfirst into re-training and a career pivot so I can hope to survive this hellish marathon, and I’ve got myself a tad overwhelmed and overworked.

 

So, when we had a very rare, socially distanced visit from Mabel’s godfather and his lovely new wife.  Spent the afternoon with them in the garden avec moet et chandon, it was quite the release.

The sun was shining, the kids were playing, I had some new adults to talk to who were fully three dimensional and everything(!), and the champagne just kept on getting topped up. I wasn’t going to fight it. I let any achievements or productivity for the day go, and I revelled in the glorious moment.

 

I do not do this enough, ever.

 

You may be surprised to hear this when it’s quite obvious to tell from my blog posts and my story that I’m a total personal development junkie. Therefore, I should surely have this stuff down, right? Well, I certainly don’t. You teach what you need to learn. And I am still learning every day.

Yes, I felt ultra shit the next day, because that’s just me with alcohol, and that’s why, despite it being the key to my letting go that sunny afternoon, it is still definitely the right decision that I do not drink very often. And yes, I’m on day two of the hangover because I get that. That’s an actual thing with me. Shit, eh?

But really, the alcohol was just a symbol that could have been replaced with anything.

 

Sometimes you just have to allow yourself the moment, the pleasure and the joy…go back to your childhood self and let those values trump the rest…the ‘should’s’.

 

If we can’t ever allow ourselves to basque in the present moment for the sheer, unproductive joy of it, without guilt or that unnerving anxiety that we should be doing something else, then really, what is the
point?

 

These moments fill our cup again, they inspire us and give us a well of experiences from which to create
from.

Sometimes you just have to allow yourself the moment, the pleasure and the joy…go back to your childhood self and let those values trump the rest…the ‘should’s’.

 

If it was worth it for me, even with a two day hangover, then it’s gonna be worth it for you too.