Anything Worth Doing

“Anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed.”

I found this quote in Rachel Naomi Remen’s book Kitchen Table Wisdom. It was spoken by a woman with chronic fatigue syndrome who had stopped going out with friends because it was so effortful and exhausting. Eventually, she realized she didn’t have to do things perfectly. She gave herself permission to go to a party for half an hour or leave a show at intermission.

I’m finally reentering the world after a long hibernation brought on by the pandemic, fatigue and an abundance of addictive shows on Netflix. I’m an introvert by nature and I’ve created a beautiful home that I love to spend time in. So why go out? People can visit me here.

I can tell you all the reasons I need to stay home and rest and meditate and eat fresh vegetables. I have a legitimate fear. I can’t count the times I’ve pushed my body too hard (which doesn’t necessarily take a lot) and found myself exhausted and in pain for days or weeks.

But with the support of compassionate friends and hired help, I’m taking baby steps back into the world. I’ve returned to my therapy pool, where I’m letting myself float and chat with people instead of obsessing about how many repetitions of leg lifts I should do. I say yes instead of no (sometimes) to grabbing a quick coffee on the ride home from a doctor’s appointment. I’m letting people drive me to a haircut or take me to the beach so I can sniff the ocean air. I’m discovering new shops and restaurants in my own neighborhood.

So, maybe this post is about the beauty of accepting and receiving help. But it’s also about letting go of the idea that we have to be perfect and do everything perfectly. Anything worth doing isn’t always worth doing well; sometimes it’s just worth doing.

image by Thelo Aiken @bluebirdsurf