As much as I would love to say I have spent the last four weeks traveling the world and seeing exotic places, that would be a far cry from the truth. The harsh reality is that I have spent the majority of my time away in bed, sick with pneumonia. For some reason, I seem to be the only nonsmoker, non-asmatic person that struggles with upper respatory issues. I have had more bouts with bronchitis than I care to admit, although, this was my first experience with pneumonia.
I've been getting better for the last two weeks but needless to say, recovery has been a very slow process. I spent the last day cleaning up the four weeks of being sick. I have finally gotten to unpacking my suitcase that was left at my front door when I returned home from New Hampshire on October 6th. I came home from New Hampshire incredibly sick and to this day I am still amazed at the energy i mustered that day to actually travel. I have thrown out countless tissues, discarded vegetables that I have used to juice, food in the pantry that I got sick from and my ultimate casaulity - my new baby blue zebra sweater that in my sickness I attempted to wash with an orange sweater.
Being this sick was a testament to my struggle with patience as in, I have none. I laid in bed calculating how many hours of work I had missed or even worse, how many more I may possibly miss. The uncertainty of not knowing how long it was actually take me to get well was anxiety provoking.
Not only did I need patience during this illness, I realized I really hadn't had paitence the last year. I have a friend that will often tell me "let it grow organically." I remember laughing the first time I heard her say that because it went against my approach of scheming, obsessing, willing it to work, worrying and then only breathing a sigh of relief when it actually worked. Then, repeat without taking any time in between sets. Although, I will never be a gal that just passively sits back and "let it grow organically", maybe I could do what I can and not expend so much unnecessary energy?
Do not get me wrong this energy is GREAT, until it is not. The energy is what motivates me, makes me insanely creative and what makes me good at what I do. Although, somewhere along the way the energy became too unbearable. The warning signs were there, I was in the perfect position to get this sick. I was coming off of an incredibly busy summer (like any and every real estate agent) but I was exhausted - physically, mentally, and emotionally. I took a vacation where I was a ball of stress and not relaxed, I was attached to my phone for email, calls, Internet. Although I took days off - I was never able to turn off the stress on these days.
As a real estate agent there is such a thin line between your personal life and business life but finding time to disconnect is a necessity. In typical Liz Daigle fashion, I spent my four week hiatus planning my brand, how I was going to come back stronger and with more energy, and how to enjoy more of both my business and personal life with a bit of patience sprinkled in.
In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, luxury, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.
