When my efforts to book a surf camp vacation were falling flat, a few friends who had been to surf camp advised that I would be paying a premium for “surf camp” just to have everything organized for me.
They advised that I just book a hotel and plan my own surf lessons and meals.
One friend said, “you don’t need to pay someone else to plan all of your activities for you.”
In fact, that’s exactly what I needed.
A Restorative Retreat
This past week, I have been participating in a yoga, surf and wellness retreat in Santa Catalina, Panama, run by Santa Catalina Retreats.
Since arriving in Panama City on Saturday night, my schedule has been set by someone else. The retreat coordinators have arranged everything: the shuttle from Panama City to Santa Catalina. Meals. My schedule of activities.
I haven’t had to think about what to do and when to do it. I haven’t even had to order from a menu.
Before the retreat they asked me about dietary restrictions. I showed up at meal time and ate the food offered to me. If the meal included food that I don’t eat, the chef prepared a substitute for me.
The Energetic Toll of Decisions
On one hand, it felt silly to admit that I need someone else to plan my activities for a week.
But I released the judgment around it.
Because it’s not silly at all.
Every day, we are forced to make thousands of micro decisions, from what to wear to what to do, to what to eat and when.
We often underestimate the energetic toll of these decisions. Many people rigorously track their time; fewer track their energy. Decisions consume vital executive function energy.
When the mind spends its precious energetic resources on decisions regarding basic human functions — where to sleep at night, what to eat, what to do — it has nothing left for bigger life decisions. It cannot take in more information.
Brain energy is a vital resource.
The brain needs a rest from making so many decisions.
How to Restore Your Brain’s Energy
The best way to rest the mind is to delegate those basic decisions to someone else for a while.
After you set guiding parameters, let go of the need to control every decision. Allow someone else to make those decisions for you. Give yourself the gift of not thinking and just showing up.
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