Shedding the Weight: Assessing and Addressing Life Rhythms After 2020

Though we are moving through 2021 at a brisk but steady pace, I continue to carry with me many effects of 2020 and the madness it contained. One of the most visible burdens I carry is extra poundage. Due to some choices within and some circumstances outside of my control, I put-on some significant weight last year. Now weight, as in a number on a scale is, of course, not the ultimate indicator of health or lack thereof. But I quickly began to feel the effects of my extra heft: joint pain, numbness in my neck and back, restless sleep, frequent windedness. These visceral effects of my increased couch time and kitchen experimentation (thank you 2020), began to not only affect my own quality of life but the quality of care I was able to give my family and the capacity I had to faithfully engage in work and ministry. As these negative consequences persisted, it became clear that I needed to make some changes. It was time for me to critically evaluate the choices and circumstances which brought me to this place physically, to learn from that experience, and to intentionally determine which new combination of choices and circumstances would best support my goal to become healthier and stronger. To move-on from my unique rhythms of 2020 and to establish a new set of rhythms for 2021 have required effort as well as sacrifice, but as I’ve been working this plan for the past few months, I’m starting to see positive results, and not just on the scale. My palate is slowly reacclimating to more consistent water, fruit, and veggie consumption, my lungs are increasing in both efficiency and endurance, and my muscles are growing in strength and definition. Overall my quality of life is improving as is the care I’m able to give my family and the energy I’m able to devote to my various responsibilities. So, I guess you could say I’ve successfully undone the damage of this past pandemic year. I should be good to go now, right?

Not. Even. Close.

If you’re anything like me (and since you are hopefully a human being and not a bot reading this, I imagine we do have some similarities) 2020 didn’t affect your physical body alone. My guess is you were also affected emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.

Maybe you are emotionally distended, ready to burst at any moment from all you’ve been holding-in this past year or emotionally drained, numb all over, too exhausted to engage your feelings.

Maybe you are spiritually depleted, running on empty or spiritually distant, seemingly detached from Christ or His Church.

Maybe you are relationally isolated, alone and cut-off from the relationships you used to enjoy or relationally sluggish, out of practice and lethargic when an opportunity arises to connect with other people.

If any of these describe your experience, I have a word of encouragement for you: you aren’t alone. 2020 was a year of disappointment, loss, grief, loneliness, confusion, fear, sadness, anger, frustration, and so much more for so many people. And just because vaccines are rolling-out, restrictions are slowly being lifted, and schedules are filling-up doesn’t mean that the very real pains you have experienced will automatically disappear over time. Like most burdens in life, unless we make serious and significant steps to assess and address them, we will continue to carry their weight wherever we go. And not only will they negatively affect our own quality of life, but also the capacity we have to faithfully engage in relationships, work, and ministry. But be encouraged, shedding the weight is possible. You don’t have to carry it forever. But, in addition to my word of encouragement, I also have a word of challenge for you: like the process toward physical health and strength I described above, to move-on from your unique rhythms of 2020 and to establish a new set of rhythms for 2021 will require effort as well as sacrifice on your part. If anything I’ve said is resonating with you, it may be time to critically evaluate the choices and circumstances which brought you to the emotional, spiritual, or relational space you currently find yourself in, to learn from that experience, and to intentionally determine which new combination of choices and circumstances would best support your goals to pursue emotional, spiritual, and relational health.

If you are carrying excess weight, burdened by the emotional, spiritual, and relational poundage you’ve put on throughout the past year, would you reach-out to someone you trust for support? If I can be that person for you, please contact me. It would be my privilege to connect you to resources, pray with you, or walk alongside you through the shedding process.

Maybe this isn’t you today, but you know someone who fits this description perfectly. Would you consider making the first move and offer that person a word of encouragement, reminding them they aren’t alone? When our burdens are heavy and our arms full with life, reaching-out can feel nearly impossible. You extending a hand may be the lifeline that person needs.