the reality check

June 8, 2013

Written by Meg

Megan Nielsen

As a reader of my blog, you probably know by now that I’m a really hard worker. I’ve never been one to sleep in, begin work at 10, take long lunches and leave at 4. No. I like to get things done, as many things as I can. I’m up super early, and in bed super late. I don’t take breaks, pretty much ever. I’ll fill in every minute of every day with “things that need to get done”.

And finally, this week, that kind of behavior caught up with me. I had the reality check.

After feeling off colour for almost a month I finally went to the doctor – and found that I have an ulcer. He gave me a talking to about my unhealthy lifestyle, and he was 100% right. I am run down. I live unhealthily. I don’t sleep well, I don’t eat well, and I certainly don’t have any balance.

It will get better, and go away if I rest – but if I keep pushing (as I’m prone to doing), it will get worse.

There are moments in your life where you’re given the opportunity to do the right thing, and at this moment, I know the right thing is to take a good rest, and get better. Even if i don’t like it.

I struggle with this, because I know myself, and I know the second I put my backside on a couch I will feel a wave of guilt and laziness. But I know it needs to be done.

And the idea of taking a break so soon after releasing my new collection scares me – but I always try and make my decisions first as a mother, before I consider the business side of things. And I know this is the right thing for my family. I can’t look after anyone if I’m not healthy, and I haven’t been healthy in a while.

So my dear friends after that incredibly rambling mind dump – I am just here today to let you know that I’ll be taking a month off to rest, recoup and get better.

Please don’t feel worried though – I will be back in a few weeks, this is just a holiday – and though patterns won’t be available through my store for a few weeks, you will still be able to find your favourite sews via my lovely stockists

Thanks for understanding.

Love and hugs! Meg XOXO

About Author

Meg

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

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Cirque Du bebe

9 years ago

Good on ya Megs! You are a machine, rest up lovely lady, u deserve it!

Melizza

9 years ago

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Kirsty

9 years ago

Yay to saying yes to a break. You deserve a little rest. See you soon xx

Caila

9 years ago

Aww, you do need a rest, you amazing woman you! I hope you enjoy a speedy recovery and have a wonderful month off with your family. Blessings to you!

Roxy

9 years ago

Good decision! It’s worth stopping before things get really bad. I always think of these things like the “help yourself before helping others” message that you get on the plane. You can’t help anyone if you are sick. One month is nothing in the scheme of things. Enjoy the break. I bet you will come back with a tonne of inspiration as well. Look after yourself!

Novita

9 years ago

Wishing you good health! Enjoy your break, I’m sure you will come back in refreshed mind and body :)

Trudy Callan

9 years ago

Hope you feel better soon. You’re doing the right thing.

Michelle

9 years ago

We’ll miss you! Can’t wait for you to return a healthier, happier person (:

Nicole

9 years ago

Oh gosh Megan so sorry to hear you are not well! Being a working mum is a big load to carry, but I have the same philosophy as Roxy you cant take care of others if your not taking care of YOU! We will miss you but we wont forget you, I promise! Enjoy your break and getting to spend extra time with those beautiful kiddies of yours :-) xx

EileenLaurette

9 years ago

I developed a bleeding ulcer when I was 23 – for very much the same reasons you gave here. Thankfully, I did not have children yet – I was in so much pain I could barely move or function – and I still had to work full time and attend classes. Forcing myself to stop stressing so much was a tough lesson to learn, because creative people often drive themselves right into the ground – I think it sort of comes with the territory. Take this time to rest & heal – I know how much it bothers you to “just sit” – but think of it as meaningful and restorative – helping your body to heal itself faster while you are resting. Pick up some hand-sewing, beading, or knitting if you do that. Hand work can become very meditative, especially if you allow yourself to think healing thoughts and NOT to let the guilt start pouring in because you are doing “nothing.” You are replenishing, restoring, and regrouping. Heal well, enjoy the extra time you have, cherish your family.

Katy

9 years ago

Sorry to hear this. You are doing the right thing. Perhaps think about how you can change your schedule going forward. I’m sure your fans here won’t mine less blog posts as long as you continue the patterns!

Katherine

9 years ago

Don’t feel guilty about rest…consider it an incubation period for the next round of fabulous ideas for your next collection. Hope the rest and recuperation leaves you healthier and stronger.

Beth

9 years ago

Dear Megan,

Sorry to hear you’re not well :( resting can be hard! Have a little mindless knitting or crochet always helps me to sit and take a break while still feeling like I’m doing something! I hope you find your own ways to rest well :) xxx

annette tirette

9 years ago

Sorry to hear about your health problems, but you definitely made the right decision. I found myself in a similar position a few years ago, when my body was screaming to take a break from drawing during a time with a lot of work and deadlines, and I didn’t listen then. This stubbornness resulted in problems that got way too serious, and that still bother me today. I wish I had listened to myself when I had to!

kristin

9 years ago

So sorry to hear you’re not well, but I’m happy to see your perspective on it! Enjoy your break and don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine. :) Shoot, I’ve been thinking of taking a month off of my blog just to clear my head and rebalance, just because! Take care.

Blogless Anna

9 years ago

Rest, relax and rejuvenate. See you on the other side when you have a full bill of health. A x

emily

9 years ago

Hope you’re feeling better soon Meg – rest up and take it easy xx

9 years ago

Rest well Megan, and don’t feel guilty! Your health is more important than all the rest, and we’ll all still be here when you’re feeling better.

Carolyn

9 years ago

In a way- taking a holiday after the release of a collection is the perfect time! You worked so hard- you deserve a break! And when you come back there will be even more awesome photos of creations made from your new patterns all over the web- they’ll still get bought and sewn without you turning the wheels of this blog (as much as I love your posts). So for now you can relax. :) Quality family time coming right up!

BlackLabel

9 years ago

You deserve a break. BE GOOD TO YOURSELF!

redambition

9 years ago

Rest up lovely… See you back, better and refreshed! xo

Michelle

9 years ago

Good for you for choosing to take care of yourself! I hope and pray you feel better. Blessings!

Brigid

9 years ago

Oh, hope you feel better! That is never fun. Take a good long rest, and will look forward to seeing you back online soon.

sallie

9 years ago

Oh Meg! I’m sorry to hear you’re not well!! Consider it a blessing in disguise and focus on feeling better and enjoying your break! Take care, love.

Faye Lewis

9 years ago

Get well soon – it’s important!

Rebecca Lately

9 years ago

You will be missed, but you’re doing the right thing! Get well soon!

Stacie

9 years ago

We’ll all be here awaiting your return. You left us plenty to work on! Feel better.

the other emily

9 years ago

Oh honey, I’m so sorry to hear this! But I’m glad you’re taking a break to take care of yourself, hard as that can be. Much love honey.

districtofchic

9 years ago

I’m definitely not as hard a worker as you, but I do know what it’s like to feel guilty when I’m not being productive. That being said, I always feel like I come back with fresh perspective and renewed resolve when I take a break from things! Take a vacation!

Rosemary

9 years ago

Wishing you a speady recovery. You always need to take time for yourself. Even if it mean working it into your daily plan. So take a rest, and when you come back, just get smarter at working.

Kelly

9 years ago

Get well soon! I know it’s hard, but your health has to come first. I don’t think anyone could possibly think you’re lazy!

Kelly

9 years ago

Oh Megan, I am so sorry! I will be sending lots of good, healing thoughts your way, and I hope you start feeling better soon! Please try to get lots of sleep- I love this quote: “That we are not much sicker and much madder than we are is due exclusively to that most blessed and blessing of all natural graces, sleep.” (by Aldous Huxley) It is so hard, but it affects our health so much when we don’t get enough sleep. Be well, see you here when you are ready to come back! In the meantime I will be sewing up your patterns like crazy :)

Truly Myrtle

9 years ago

I do hope you feel better soon – I’ll be resting right up there with you – I had a nasty health scare last week too. Time to take stock. Feet up. X

Jen

9 years ago

Girl, you of all people definitely deserve a break, you are a machine! Even if you took 6 months off I doubt anyone would be able to label you as lazy so definitely try not to feel like that (I know it’s hard not to though). Relax, enjoy your family, and don’t stress! Sending all my best thoughts your way! xo

stephanie

9 years ago

I hope you feel better soon! Enjoy the break and take it easy. No one could possibly think that you are lazy!

crystalpleats

9 years ago

Rest and get well soon!

Marie

9 years ago

I really hope you can get some guilt-free and well deserved rest! Get well soon and we’ll welcome you back in a bit :)

Sandra

9 years ago

I completely understand that is what comes with running your own small business, and you are not alone there. You are doing the right thing and we will all be here when you are ready, but next time with a bit more balance ????

Sandra

9 years ago

Reply to Sandra

not sure where those ? came from meant to be xxx

Michelle

9 years ago

Take all the time you need. It is what YOU need to do that is important. We will all be here when you return. Take care of yourself. :.)

Lara

9 years ago

I’m so sorry to hear that you’re not well. I think lots of us make ourselves feel guilty about not working, when actually we have every right to a bit of ‘me’ time too. I hope you do manage to relax and recover this month! xxx

Haylee

9 years ago

Aw Megan I’m so sorry to hear this. Good for you for taking a much needed break though, you definitely need one!! I honestly can’t think of anyone who works harder than you and thus who would deserve a break more than you do. I hope you get feeling better hun. xx

Laura

9 years ago

Enjoy your time… that’s not a punishing to take a break. You did a excellent work and rest is a necessity… I hope you feel better soon!

Veronica Darling

9 years ago

It’s ALWAYS important to take a break! Well done, you’ve had a HUGELY successful year, and taking a break won’t stop that ball rolling! Get better soon lovely, and enjoy yourself and spoil yourself! xo

Carole Kus

9 years ago

Just do what the doctor orders and GET WELL SOON, will miss you but, your health is sooooo important. Enjoy your break XXXXX

IngeMaakt

9 years ago

I hope you’ll feel better soon, and that you can enjoy your holiday. When you feel guilty about doing nothing, maybe you can try looking at it as working very hard to be healthy again ;) after all, that is what you really are doing isn’t it?

Saima khan

9 years ago

Get well soon ,you deserve a break.

Liz

9 years ago

Best wishes and rest up. Take care xoxo

Tina LaChance

9 years ago

Megan, be thankful it is just an ulcer. I did the same thing to myself a few years back, running my alterations shop. I got myself full blown Grave’s Disease (hyperactive thyroid). I M still struggling with this, yes three years later. I had to eventually close my shop, and begin working from my home at my own pace, which sometimes meant not at all. For a willful, driven person, this is extremely difficult to get used to. I still find it very difficult to balance work and stress and life in manageable amounts.
I cannot tell you just how important it is for you to begin to change your attitude towards working vs. rest. There is a balance, and tipping those scales can be very detrimental to your long term health and happiness.
Good luck with your health, take it easy.
Remember what Winnie the Pooh says: “Don’t think too hard!”

Tilly

9 years ago

Aw Meg, you DEFINITELY deserve – as well as need – a rest after all the hard work you’ve put into the new collection. And the great thing about being self-employed is that you can! As a fellow productivity geek and workaholic, I know how difficult it can be to just stop, but consider it an investment in the future of your business. We’ll all still be here for you when you’re ready to return to work. Now stop reading your blog comments and get back to lying down! xxx

Joolz

9 years ago

Glad you are doing the right thing for yourself, Meg! Also, seems like a good time to take a rest- gotta give people time to finish sewing your newest patterns- not everyone’s as prolific a sewer as you! Looking forward to hearing from a healthier Meg in a month :)

the reality check

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