Is it possible to have too much fun

Back in June I posted I needed to start saying, "No." I was in much need of a reboot. Sleepless nights, aches and pains, and sickness had dominated my wellbeing for several months. My schedule overflowed with energy sapping and often negative activities. Mid September has me begging for a new kind of a break - one from too much fun. Have you ever heard of such a thing.

Mid June I finished commitments that were in my planner and Bruce and I headed to New Hampshire for hiking in the White Mountains. We went there to house sit for our son and daughter-in-law but mostly to chill and get some elevation under our boots. That we did. While we were there we met up with some dear friends who were thru-hiking. That started a multi-week hiking and supplying trail support all the way until they summited on Katahdin in Maine.

Awkward Silence, Black Bear, Righty, Batman, Lefty

I chose the trail support job while Bruce hiked with our friends, Lefty and Righty. Sometimes it was just a quick resupply then we would drive 2-plus hours home. Then head back to the trail a few days later and do it all over again. Other times, Bruce would join them on the outting and I would head to the next trail head to hang out for a day or so until they hiked to me. I spent my time chatting with hikers providing them with trail magic. My favorite was when they reached the 100-Mile Wilderness - the final stretch of an Appalachian Trail northbound thru-hike.

Through this section, Batman, Lefty, and Right carried only what they needed for the day. This is called slack-packing. I shuttled their remaining gear around to the next road crossing where I set up their tents at paid campsites or by the trail crossing - whichever was allowed at the various places. They spent their days enjoying the Maine woods on foot with light packs and I spent my time setting up tents, tarps, and a hammock for a cozy evening. If I was lucking, I had time for a nap, but that didn't happen often, especially the day I had to drive over 171 miles from one trail head to the next due to construction of a bridge. Two days later the bridge was opened.

Most evenings I made delicious meals, then breakfast the following morning. witnessing the joy in my hikers eyes as they entered camp seeing everything already set up was priceless and worth every once of effort exerted to create such an atmosphere. Sure, some AT thru-hiker-purests frown on this, but other hikers dream of having such support. I will say, I have hiked the 100-Mile Wilderness twice like this, and just once, I would like to do it unsupported.

Saying good-bye to our friends opened the window for Bruce and I to help another couple, that was a little easier. We only hosted them here at the house so they could decompress before heading back to their real life. During that span I frantically preparred for a weekend vendor event two-hours away. The following weekend we had another weekend three-day vendor event - Trails End Festival in Millinocket, Maine. Exhaustion crept back in. Trails End was followed by a week of appointments scattered all around the clock on each day. Exhaustion won.

I went to bed last night wondering if I was going to be able to find the energy to visit with my friend who is coming tonight from out of town. Thankfully, I slept well and long. I woke up feeling like a new person. With as tired as I felt, I was beginning to wonder if it is possible to have too much fun. Last night I would have answered a big fat "YES!" to that question. But today, with a rested body and mind, my answer is "Not a chance!"

I do think balance is a key to burning out or not. Mentally, I feel young, but my body keeps reminding me otherwise. Maybe years ago when I was much younger - not that I am old, just not as young - I could keep going without recourse. But now, I find I need, rather than just want, naps. I like to go to bed early. Twenty-four-hour car rides take two days instead of one and I prefer it be three days. I'm happy going somewhere on vacation and doing nothing when I get there.

While saying "no" to things in your life that cause way to much stress is important. But it is always good to say "no" to too much fun also. Balancing activity with rest is so important at this stage in my life. I certainly don't want to stop, but I am finding if I want to be able to keep going - I must pause. If I don't, I am apt to drop and that's no fun either.

So, while you are packing that schedule full of fun stuff, remember it is okay to do nothing. In fact, I highly recommend adding nothing often.